Scooter company on track for first profit

SCOOTER maker Vmoto expects 2013 will be its first profitable year, thanks to growing sales in China.

The company makes electric and petrol scooters in China, and distributes them to more than 30 countries.

Vmoto also owns 10 retail outlets in China, with four of those stores having opened in the last two months.

On Monday, the company said November was another profitable month, and the company still expects to make its maiden annual profit, of between $300,000 and $600,000, in the 2013 calendar year.

Vmoto listed on the Australian share market in 2002.

It expects to have had made 42,000 scooters in the year, and had sold 3,197 of its own scooters in China by the end of November.

"The gradual buildup in sales month-on-month are testament to the Vmoto brand becoming increasingly recognised as a premium product for electric scooter riders in China," it said.

The company's shares gained 0.1 of a cent to 3.1 cents.

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Woman sexually assaulted in Vic

A SOUTH American woman has been sexually assaulted by a man who gave her a lift on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Police say a man approached the 28-year-old, who is working in Australia as a nanny, at McCrae on Sunday and offered her a lift to a train station.

He drove her to an isolated part of Shoreham, punched her in the face and grappled with her, before she got out of the car and tried to flee.

The man then allegedly ran her down and sexually assaulted her.

He fled the scene in his car, described as a gold-coloured Holden utility.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Walsh said the woman was extremely distressed and traumatised by the attack and had decided to leave Australia earlier than planned.

"She received minor facial injuries, however, emotionally will be scarred forever," he said on Tuesday.

Police say the man told the woman his name was Dane, and is described as Caucasian in appearance, of thin build, about 25 years old and about 165cm tall with short, light-brown or blond hair and light-brown eyes.

He was wearing a dark T-shirt, possibly black, light beige pants, possibly cargos and dark-coloured shoes.

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Man killed, four kids injured in NSW crash

A MAN has been killed and four children injured in a single-vehicle crash in the state's Hunter region.

Police said the crash occurred on George Downs Drive at Bucketty, about 50 kilometres south of Cessnock, about 1pm (AEDT) on Monday.

A man died at the scene. CareFlight said its doctor worked with ambulance paramedics to treat four children at the crash scene, before airlifting an 11-year-old girl to hospital at Westmead.

The girl's mother, who escaped serious injury in the crash, accompanied her daughter, who had head and neck injuries, on the helicopter.

The Westpac Rescue helicopter later transported the three other children to Westmead Hospital, CareFlight said.

The man's death takes NSW's road toll to seven.

The national road toll period runs from midnight December 23, 2013 until midnight January 3, 2014, local time, in line with the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board.

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More cameras to monitor Adelaide

CLOSED-CIRCUIT television coverage of Adelaide's nightclub, restaurant and entertainment districts will be boosted with the state government to spend almost $5 million on more cameras and monitoring staff.

Acting Premier John Rau says the money will pay for another 25 cameras and for eight more protective security officers to boost monitoring of the growing network.

The new cameras are on top of 20 being installed by the city council on and near the new Adelaide Oval footbridge and in the redeveloped Victoria Square.

A further 230 cameras will be installed as part of the Adelaide Oval upgrade and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital development.

Together with private security cameras, there are now several hundred monitoring Adelaide's CBD and beyond.

Mr Rau says the growing network will improve safety without raising privacy issues in an era when "virtually everybody is wandering around with a camera in their pocket" anyway.

"The idea that people in public places, or even private places for that matter, have as much privacy as they would like, I think is a bit illusionary," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Bronwyn Killmier said police welcomed the increase in the camera network.

She said they helped patrols respond quickly to developing situations, sometimes preventing crime or at least preventing minor incidents escalating into major confrontations.

Traders have also welcomed the new cameras in Adelaide's west end nightclub district, which is striving to improve its image as a dangerous place to be at night.

"For too long the west end has been seen as a bit of no-go area, a place where people are actually frightened to come," West End Association president Andrew Wallace said.

"This investment in safety will actually make this place more attractive and seem safer to people."

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Stephen Wade said the government had been too slow to act on improving safety in the city.

Mr Wade said that eight years ago, the government had commissioned a review to identify gaps in Adelaide's camera network.

"Eight years later, we're only starting to look at filling those gaps," he said.

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WA's Taste Master reluctant to leave

JUMPING out of a plane was not as frightening as scaling the famously hair-raising Gloucester Tree in Western Australia's South West region, the man with one of the best jobs in the world says.

Rich Keam counts the 72-metre tree near Pemberton as the only challenge that's bested him in his enviable role as Tourism WA's "taste master" over the past four months.

The 35-year-old Englishman believes he scored the best of all seven gigs offered by Tourism Australia - including "chief funster" in NSW - as he's tasked with munching his way through WA's considerable culinary delights after beating more than 600,000 other applicants from around the world.

With about six weeks of his six-month contract remaining, he's yet to take in the temperate towns of Denmark, Albany and Esperance in the state's Great Southern region, and Geraldton in the Mid West.

But he's been dazzled by the Kimberley's rugged beauty, relished the South West - where he rubbed shoulders with top chefs such as Heston Blumenthal at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape - and taken the plunge from a tiny plane in the middle of Perth.

"I was absolutely terrified," Keam said of the tandem dive that landed him in the city's central Langley Park.

"I'm tall, so I had to stick my leg out onto the wheel and go head first down. That was surreal."

However, it wasn't as scary as trying to climbing 153 thin pegs to the top of the Gloucester Tree, a former fire lookout in the middle of Karri forest.

Keam twice made it about 15 metres up then declared: "I'm coming down!".

"My eyes were blurring, I got sweaty hands.

"I'd sooner jump out of a plane.

"If there was a harness, I'd do it, but that's the challenge, isn't it - to do it without a harness."

Keam said another top adventure was participating in the Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash, which starts in desert inland from Carnarvon.

The Brighton-based film costumer reached 220km in a souped-up buggy driven by WA's off-road racing champion Bradley Cooper, but it was the people he met in the fishing town that left the greatest impression.

"I just had a great time there," he said.

"There were really friendly people in Carnarvon - some real characters."

And after sampling boab tuber chutney, ants and pearl meat, Keam's gourmet highlight was at the Sal Salis luxury eco-camp on the Coral Coast at Ningaloo Reef, where he feasted on pork belly and mud crab salad.

"I was the only person there," Keam said.

"It was so peaceful and serene, looking out at the ocean, so I took two hours to eat it."

Keam says he'll miss WA - the ultimate self-drive holiday destination with its vast distances - and its family-friendly capital.

"I don't really want to leave.

"I'd like to stay here for a couple of years."

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Icebreaker 100 miles from stuck ship

AN Australian icebreaker is closing in on a ship wedged in Antarctic sea ice as part of a second rescue mission to free the stricken vessel.

A group of scientists, explorers and tourists has been stuck on the Russian research ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart, for the past five days.

Two icebreakers have given up on efforts to push through the thick and dangerous ice floes near Antarctica to try to free the trapped research vessel.

A third icebreaker, Australia's Aurora Australis, is on its way to the ship and is due to arrive about 11pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

It is the last ship in the area that will be able to help.

The Aurora Australis was about 100 nautical miles from the trapped ship at 2pm (AEDT), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said in a statement.

If it can't battle through the ice, AMSA says a second option may be to consider ferrying trapped passengers with a helicopter.

The locked-in ship, with 74 people on board, including several New Zealanders, sent a distress call on Christmas Day after becoming trapped in heavy sea ice.

The ship had been undertaking the Spirit of Mawson voyage, which is retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition.

Professor Chris Turney of the University of NSW is leading the expedition, consisting of scientists, explorers and enthusiasts undertaking climate research.

He insisted during several interviews with international media outlets that everyone was in good spirits despite the ordeal.

The Aurora icebreaker is rated at being able to push through ice slightly deeper than one metre thick.

China's Snow Dragon icebreaker, which came within six-and-a-half nautical miles of the stuck ship before turning back out of safety fears, is standing by in case its helicopter will be needed.

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WA woman charged over $1.5m drug stash

A 47-YEAR-OLD woman has been charged over a drug stash, estimated to be valued at more than $1.5 million.

Police raided a home in Morley in suburban Perth on Tuesday, uncovering about three kilograms of drugs believed to be methylamphetamine.

They also found more than $17,000 in cash.

A Morley woman, 47, was charged with possession a prohibited drug with intent to sell/supply.

She appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday and will re-appear on January 7.

Police conducted the search warrant as part of a joint investigation with Australian Customers and Border Protection Services into illegal tobacco trade.

They estimate the drugs found are valued at more than $1.5 million.

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Woman leaves toddler in car, goes shopping

A WOMAN is expected to face charges after leaving a 17-month-boy locked in the car while she went shopping for the Boxing Day sales.

Police have been told a woman drove to attend the sales at a Doncaster shopping centre in Melbourne's north east about 9.30am (AEDT).

She parked in an undercover car park and went alone to the shops, leaving the boy locked in the car.

A passer by spotted the boy about half an hour later and told security, who removed the child after an unsuccessful bid to find the car owner.

The Doncaster woman, 27, was found about 11am (AEDT) and spoken to by police.

She is expected to be charged with leaving a child unattended and being a learner driver without being accompanied by a licensed driver.

The child was checked over by paramedics and found to be fine.

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Two men arrested over SA police chase

Two men have been arrested after a police pursuit in Adelaide's southern suburbs. Source: AAP

TWO young men have been arrested on Christmas Day after a police pursuit through the southern suburban streets of Adelaide.

While responding to reports just after 2.30am of a suspicious car at Elizabeth Road at Christie Downs, south of Adelaide, police spotted one of the men allegedly marking graffiti on a building.

The man then drove off in a Nissen sedan, police said.

Officers pursued the car through several backstreets before calling off the chase.

The car was found a short time later in Christine Street, Morphett Vale.

The driver ran off but was quickly caught by police.

An 18-year-old Flagstaff Hill man has been charged with marking graffiti, engaging in a police pursuit and hindering police.

An 18-year-old man from Morphett Vale was arrested for breach of bail.

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Thousands turn out for community lunches

THOUSANDS of Sydney-siders who would otherwise be alone for Christmas will spend the festive season celebrating with their communities.

More than 600 people - including a few famous faces - turned out for the Wayside Chapel Christmas lunch in King's Cross.

Blaxland resident Stephen South has attended the lunch and church service for four years.

"I don't have any family and this is my family," Mr South told AAP.

"On a day like today, if you don't have family it's really hard."

The Wayside Chapel's 200 volunteers provided 80 turkeys, 40 hams, 700 mince pies and 140 bags of potatoes for the day.

Actress Claudia Karvan made her third visit to the street party this year, and actor David Wenham attended.

"I can't stay away - it just puts a smile on my face that stays there for the whole day," Karvan said.

"It totally encapsulates the spirit of Christmas, I think.

"The open-heartedness, the generosity of the day, the inclusiveness - everyone from all different walks of the community, whether you're sleeping rough or wealthy and isolated, it doesn't matter, you can come down here."

Between Christmas singing, Wayside chief executive Pastor Graham Long said the day was about people not being alone.

"Don't be alone and miserable," he said.

"Come and be miserable with us."

In Ashfield, more than 3000 people were expected at the Exodus Foundation's free Christmas lunch on Liverpool Road.

Volunteers prepared 65 hams, 50 turkeys, 400 kilograms of potatoes, 200 kilograms of green veggies, 400 kilograms of pumpkins, 1300 litres of gravy, 2500 mini puddings and 330 litres of custard.

"You can imagine, we've been preparing for this for months," Reverend Bill Crews said.

Santa Claus will give presents to needy children and adults.

"All these presents have been donated, which is another example of how generous Sydney-siders are," Rev Crews said.

At Redfern's Australian Technology Park, the Salvation Army hoped to feed 1200 of Sydney's less fortunate and disadvantaged.

"Every year we're humbled by the generosity of the over 150 volunteers who give up part of their Christmas Day to bring joy, hope and happiness to those who would otherwise go without," Salvation Army spokeswoman Robyn Evans said.

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Man stabbed, woman left unconscious

A MAN has been found with stab wounds to his neck and a woman has been found unconscious in Sydney's west.

Police were called to a house on Woodville Road, Guildford, just after midday on Tuesday after reports of a man and woman fighting in the yard of the premises.

The man was found with stab wounds to his neck while a woman, aged in her mid-20s, was found unconscious.

The man's age is not known.

Both were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics and taken to Westmead Hospital.

Their condition is not yet known, police say.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, while a crime scene has been established on Woodville Road with two southbound lanes closed.

They will be examined by specialist forensic officers.

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Aussies spend $29.6bn on Xmas

AUSTRALIAN shoppers are spending up big this Christmas, and the tills are tipped to be fuller than any year since the global financial crisis hit the world.

Margy Osmond from the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) says the overall spend in the four-week run-up to Christmas this year is expected to hit $29.6 billion.

"We think Australian retailers will probably have the best Christmas they've had for four or five years," she told AAP.

And the post-Christmas sales are set to bring in bumper figures, too, with ANRA predicting bricks-and-mortar spending will reach $13.1 billion, up 4.2 per cent on the corresponding period last year.

Ms Osmond believes the other kind of bricks and mortar are responsible for pushing up consumer confidence.

"I think the interest rates are starting to really make some difference in terms of households and the fact that the housing market's taken off, so everyone feels a bit more comfortable about what they're worth," she told AAP.

"And we're post-election, so everyone's like, 'Phew, thank god that's over'."

Australia-wide, bargain-hunters are expected to spend $1.9 billion on Boxing Day alone.

David Jones group executive for operations, Cate Daniels, said the department store was gearing up for a big day when its flagship Sydney city store opens at 5am (AEDT) on Boxing Day.

"We'll have thousands of employees in our stores ready for the millions of customers I hope to see over the coming weeks," she told reporters on Tuesday.

She's tipped men's business shirts, international designer clothes and manchester as some of the best bargains.

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128 staff retrenched at Brindabella

NEARLY all staff at troubled regional carrier Brindabella Airlines have been told they're out of a job just two days before Christmas.

The 140 workers at the Canberra-based airline were told on Monday that 128 of them had lost their jobs.

Staff were told the airline could no longer be sold after it lost most of its licenses and the majority of its planes were returned to their owners.

All but a dozen staff at the cash-strapped airline will be retrenched, as the receivers KordaMentha try to sell the company's remaining assets, mainly four J-41 jetliners.

KordaMentha spokesman Michael Smith said the receivers did not want to dangle false hope in front of the workers once it became clear there wasn't anything left to sell.

"It's a terrible time of year for this to happen," he told AAP on Monday.

"But the receivers thought it was better to be upfront with the workers as soon as the worst had been realised, to give them every possible chance to use the holiday period to look for work."

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Boy's body found, horror day on NSW water

THE body of a five-year-old boy who vanished in a Sydney river on Sunday has been pulled from the water by police in a horror 24-hours on NSW waterways.

On a day in which a man's body was dragged from the Murray River and a fisherman was swept from rocks at Jervis Bay, the five-year-old's body was found underwater by police divers around 10am (AEDT).

The young boy had been playing in the water with his older brother at a popular picnic spot between Botany Bay and the Georges River at Dolls Point on Sunday afternoon when he disappeared under the waves.

A massive search by local police, water police, PolAir, the State Emergency Service (SES) and the Westpac rescue helicopter failed to locate the boy on Sunday, and resumed on Monday with the aid of volunteers.

Police said the boy's body was found several metres from the shoreline in water about 4.8 metres deep where the ocean floor dropped steeply.

There were strong currents in the area and visibility was very poor, police said.

St George Local Area Commander Superintendent Dave Donohue said the boy's mother was "devastated" after being told the news.

"It's very traumatic. We all have kids. It hits home," he told reporters outside the Georges River Sailing Club.

His message to beachgoers was "play safe and be safe".

"You need to understand the conditions you're swimming in, and no matter you go where there's water (have) good supervision of your children," he said.

"It really hits home at this time of year leading into the Christmas period."

Meanwhile, authorities on Monday also recovered the body of a man who went missing after swimming in the Murray River on Saturday.

The man, 44, from Mount Pritchard, was camping with his family when he went for a swim alone in the river near Bruce's Bend at Yarrawonga, on the NSW-Victoria border, on Saturday afternoon.

After searching the area over the weekend the man's body was located by an SES volunteer about 9am (AEDT) Monday.

In the third incident, a fisherman was washed off rocks at Jervis Bay in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police said the 28-year-old, from Winston Hills in Sydney, had been with friends on a rock platform at Little Beecroft Head when he was swept into the sea.

The man wasn't wearing a lifejacket and couldn't swim, a police spokeswoman told AAP.

The search for the man was suspended on Monday afternoon.

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Two men killed in gyrocopter crash

A PILOT and his passenger were checking fire damaged bushland when their gyrocopter crashed northeast of Melbourne, killing both.

The bodies of the 51-year-old pilot from Melbourne, and a second unidentified man, were found in rugged terrain in Victoria's Kinglake National Park about 7am on Sunday (AEDT).

A police plane spotted the wreckage in dense bushland that has regenerated after bushfires.

Searchers had been scouring the park for the men, who failed to return from what was to be a 15-minute flight from the Yarra Valley conference centre on the Melba Highway at Dixons Creek about 7.20pm on Saturday.

Benalla Acting Senior Sergeant Colin Anderson said the pair were flying over a remote area of the ranges to view bushfire damage.

Emergency services were notified when the men failed to return as planned.

An extensive search on Saturday evening failed to find the pair and was called off when it got dark, resuming early Sunday.

Acting Sen Sgt Anderson said next of kin were yet to be notified and he was unable to confirm reports the second man was from overseas.

The bodies are expected to be retrieved from the wreckage on Sunday afternoon, with the help of the SES, he said.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash and will prepare a brief for the coroner.

"There's experts coming to view the wreckage and from that, that report will be prepared for the coroner," he said.

Acting Sen Sgt Anderson said it was a tragedy.

"It's devastating to all concerned - people involved that have to retrieve people from the situation and those directly involved with the people that have been killed," he said.

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Man critical after CBD assault

Police would like to speak to this man in relation to a serious assault in Brisbane's CBD early Sunday morning. Source: Supplied

Police would like to speak to this man in relation to a serious assault in Brisbane's CBD early Sunday morning. Source: Supplied

POLICE have relased CCTV images of a man as they continue to investigate the serious assault of a man in Brisbane's CBD.

Police are searching for a man who intervened in a couple's fight, seriously injuring a 38-year-old man in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The couple were arguing on the footpath of Queen Street near the intersection with Wharf Street around 4am when an unidentified man stepped in, seriously injuring the 38-year-old.

Brisbane region detective inspector Ian Park said the partner of the injured Arana Hills man was by his bedside in hospital.

"She's very upset obviously by what's happened," he said.

He said the man today remained in Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition with serious injuries after being resuscitated at the scene.

Insp Park said alcohol may have been a factor.

"I guess it's a fair assumption that at 4 o'clock there is going to be alcohol involved, so we would appeal to people to just be careful with alcohol and look after themselves and each other and not to drink to excessive levels, which is always a deadly cocktail."

There were reports that people performed CPR on the man before paramedics arrived.

Alessandro Vosolo, who is staying on the 44th floor of the building, said the fight sounded violent and lasted less than four minutes.

"Fighting, screaming, arguing like guys getting thrown around, that sort of thing," he said.

One witness said he was on the 20th floor of the hotel and heard the fight.

"A dude got beat up... We heard it but then police rocked up."

Police insp Park said a number of witnesses had already been interviewed but appealed for more people to step forward, particularly the man, understood to be Caucasian and in his 30s, who was involved in the fight.

The injured man was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition.

"Initial information suggests that a man and a woman were seen arguing on the footpath of Queen Street near the intersection with Wharf Street when another man intervened just before 4am," police said in a statement.

Police said the two men were then involved in a fight in which a 38-year-old Arana Hills man sustained a serious head injury.

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Detective inspector Ian Park said police were also investigating the assault of a man who got into a fight with a hotel staff member at the Orient about 4.30am.

A 37-year-old man fell down the stairs and suffered serious head injuries when his head hit the concrete pavement.

"I believe the may have been a disagreement between this person and a staff member but as to what actually took place is subject to investigation," Insp Park said.

The man was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital where he is in a serious condition.

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In a third incident, a man was allegedly glassed in the face at the Family Nightclub on McLachlan St in the Fortitude Valley about 3am Sunday.

Police said a 19-year-old was struck in the face with a glass, receiving cuts to his cheek area. Police said the man did not have life-threatening injuries.

A spokesman said security staff and patrons stopped the alleged attacker and held him until police arrived.

A 20-year-old Calamvale man has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm. He is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

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Winds ease fire threat, but blow out power

STRONG winds have blown away much of South Australia's fire risk, but also torn down trees and left thousands without power.

A cool southerly change, which came after temperatures soared past 40 degrees, rolled in on Friday and brought wild wind gusts that remained until Saturday afternoon.

"The winds are over but we're still dealing with a number of tasks," State Emergency Service (SES) State Duty Officer Bob Stevenson said on Saturday.

The city's eastern and southern suburbs were worst hit, he said, with many powerlines down and crews having to respond to more than 650 calls for help.

One downed tree took seven people around four hours to cut up and remove from the street.

Around 8000 homes have lost power, many in the Adelaide area.

Police said the weather conditions were extreme with multiple intersections losing power and debris striking cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

The winds had also stirred up a serious bushfire, which threatened Tintinara homes and lives in the state's southeast.

But CFS firefighters managed to contain the blaze by late evening after it burned through about 1000 hectares.

Only the Flinders region was listed as a extreme bushfire risk on Saturday with the rest of the state rated high to severe.

Elsewhere in the country, conditions have cooled in Sydney and Melbourne after scorching temperatures baked both cities.

The fire danger is rated as low across much of Victoria and there are no fire bans in place.

In NSW, fire bans are listed in four central districts.

Hot and dry northerly winds have resulted in a severe fire danger to Queensland's Channel Country while severe conditions are also forecast along WA's northerly coast.

A bushfire that had been burning for four days in the Pilbara near the North West Coastal Highway is now under control.

The fire is deemed suspicious.

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Suspected NSW drug house goes up in flames

POLICE are investigating a blaze at what's believed to be a suburban Sydney drug lab.

Firefighters arrived at the Yagoona house, in the city's southwest, just after 6am (AEDT) on Saturday to find it well alight.

No one was inside, police say.

The flames were extinguished and a crime scene established at the Marion Street home.

Police say they located equipment inside the house that is suspected of being used to manufacture prohibited drugs.

Investigations continue, with Fire & Rescue NSW Hazmat officers helping determine what sparked the fire.

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Toll wins Coca-Cola Amatil contract

Toll has won a $380 million contract to distribute Coca-Cola Amatil's products across Australia. Source: AAP

TOLL Group has won a $380 million contract to transport Coca-Cola Amatil's beverages across Australia.

The five year contract involves bulk distribution and interstate road, rail and sea transport, and nearly doubles Toll's existing revenue gained from this work.

Toll's head of contract logistics Bruce Wilson said the contract build on the company's existing relationship with Coc-Cola Amatil.

"As a long term supplier of transport services to the beverage industry throughout the Asia Pacific region, we look forward to working with Coca-Cola Amatil to improve their supply chain," he said.

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Big paper mill fire in Sydney

AROUND 100 firefighters are battling a serious blaze at a paper mill in Sydney, with the fire spreading from stacks of paper to a three-storey building.

Three ladder appliances were deployed on Thursday afternoon to pour water on the fire near Botany Road at Matraville.

Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said the blaze had spread from paper stacks into an adjacent three-storey building.

"We're going to be here for many hours; it's quite a serious fire," he told Macquarie Radio.

Firefighters also had to battle burning oil inside a building.

Workers were evacuated from the site but no injuries have been reported.

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Hockey highly dishonest on budget: Swan

Former treasurer Wayne Swan has lashed out at his successor for dishonesty of the highest magnitude. Source: AAP

FORMER treasurer Wayne Swan has lashed out at his successor for "dishonesty of the highest magnitude" and fiddling the budget figures, after Joe Hockey forecast four years of deficits amounting to $123 billion.

Mr Swan, now a Labor backbencher, has joined colleagues in accusing Mr Hockey of padding out the economic forecasts to paint a bleak picture of the budget.

The mid-year budget outlook forecast deficits to 2016-17 of $123 billion, $68 billion more than the pre-election outlook in August.

Underpinning the deteriorating figures are growth forecasts well below the long-run average, which Mr Swan said were being used to "make the numbers look as bad as possible".

"Out of his $68 billion in additional accumulated deficits over the next four years, $54 billion comes from his forecasting fiddle and the rest is spending decisions he's taken since being elected just over three months ago," Mr Swan wrote on his Facebook page.

"He's trying to put these large write downs all at the feet of the previous Labor government.

"This is dishonesty of the highest magnitude."

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Bega pulls out of cheese takeover battle

BEGA Cheese has pulled out of the three-way battle for control of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter.

The other Australian player in the fight, meanwhile, says it still has the best takeover offer, despite Canadian dairy giant Saputo sweetening its bid.

Bega Cheese, which started the bidding war in September, will let its bid lapse when its offer period closes on December 20.

Bega owns almost 18 per cent of Warrnambool shares, and said it would consider its options regarding that stake once its offer closes.

Murray Goulburn said on Wednesday its offer of $9.50 for each Warrnambool share "remains the highest current value offer" for Warrnambool's shareholders, before accounting for any increases in price that depend on certain ownership thresholds.

Saputo on Tuesday maintained its offer of $9.00 but has increased the amount it will pay if certain share thresholds are met. The bid is final.

Saputo's offer will rise to $9.20 if it gets more than 50 per cent of Warrnambool's shares, $9.40 if it gets more than 75 per cent, and $9.60 if it obtains more than 90 per cent.

Murray Goulburn said there was a significant risk Saputo would not achieve the 50 per cent, 75 per cent or 90 per cent ownership level required to trigger its offer increases.

"This risk is heightened due to the presence of a number of industry participants on WCB's share register, who currently own approximately 46 per cent of WCB in total," Murray Goulburn said.

As well as Bega Cheese's holding, Murray Goulburn has over 17 per cent, and Kirin-owned Lion about 10 per cent.

Saputo currently has nearly 17 per cent but WCB shareholders who accepted the Saputo offer before December 17 have withdrawal rights.

Murray Goulburn's bid of $9.50 is conditional upon it obtaining more than 50 per cent of Warrnambool shares.

It has also filed an application with the Australian Competition Tribunal for authorisation to merge with Warrnambool on the grounds that a merger would be of public benefit.

The tribunal is expected to make a decision by the end of February.

Murray Goulburn managing director Gary Helou has urged Warrnambool shareholders to wait until the outcome of the merger application authorisation so that Murray Goulburn's offer can be considered on its merits.

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$A and house prices crucial in 2014

THE path the Australian economy takes in 2014 will be lit by two prices.

One is the Australian dollar, the other is house values.

If neither heads in the right direction, 2014 could turn out to be more disappointing than 2013.

It was a year of below-normal employment growth and rising unemployment.

But that's what typically follows below-normal growth in economic output, which in turn typically follows a peak in export commodity prices.

And commodity prices peaked in mid-2011.

In fact, the economy has been lucky to escape the recession that, so far, has been inevitable in the year or two following the end of major commodity price surges in the post-World War 2 era.

But it's not too late for things to go utterly pear-shaped.

The Aussie dollar and the housing market could combine to make sure the historical pattern is repeated.

Here's how.

The economy that's already growing at about two thirds its normal pace, and staring down the barrel of slower growth as the mining investment boom winds down, needs two things to help it kick the mining investment habit.

One is a lower exchange rate.

That would give exporters relief from intense competitive pressures.

And it would give domestically-focused industry a bigger slice of the spending done by Australians.

The other is for the housing market to stay strong.

It is a key economic signal, encouraging investment by reducing fears that profits will be undermined by capital losses.

The high-employment building industry is enmeshed with many other sectors and has major spillover effects throughout the economy.

And housing assets are central both to household finances and the strength - and therefore the capacity to lend - of the banks.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has made it clear it wants prices to remain strong.

But what if the Aussie dollar and the housing market don't follow the script?

It's easy to imagine another bout of strength in the exchange rate, perhaps if expected interest rate rises in the US are delayed.

Or if Europe's economic recovery falters and stokes more of the demand for Australian bonds that has buoyed the Aussie in the past year or two.

And it's easy to imagine a dip in housing prices, prompted by investor fatigue, sluggish jobs and wages growth and ongoing pressure from a strong Aussie dollar.

Speculation about an eventual rate rise from the RBA will not help.

The notorious fickleness of investors currently dominating the market could turn a price retreat into a rout if they turn tail en masse.

A price slump would undercut consumer spending and curtail bank lending, not just to households but to businesses as well.

Add a too-high exchange rate and a slumping housing market to the withering mining investment boom and you have a recipe for recession.

Of course, it's not normal for just about every important thing to go wrong at once.

But it does happen.

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Weaker growth not helping budget

THE budget bottom line is looking bleak, and a weaker economy isn't going to help the situation.

The 2013/14 federal budget deficit has risen to $47 billion, from a $30 billion deficit forecast just before the September election, according to the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (MYEFO).

The year-average gross domestic product (GDP) for 2014/15 is expected to grow by 2.5 per cent, compared to three per cent in the pre-election fiscal outlook.

Unemployment is expected to rise to six per cent in fiscal 2013/14 and then move to 6.25 per cent in the following three years.

RBC Capital Markets senior economist Su-Lin Ong said the revised economic forecasts make for sobering reading.

"Growth is expected to remain well below trend for the next two years, with cuts to nominal GDP capturing the further likely decline in the terms of trade," she said.

"The increasing drag on activity as the mining capital expenditure cycle matures and turns down is evident in the further downward revision to domestic demand.

"It shows an economy really struggling with the challenges of growth rotation towards the non-mining sectors.".

The Treasury's forecasts are based on there being no change to government policy but that could change in the May budget.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said the deterioration in the deficit over the next few years with no surplus on the forecast horizon is because of weaker economic growth and increased government spending.

"Overall, Australia's fiscal position is not that bad, although it should be much better and plans need to be made to put it onto a more sustainable medium-term footing," he said.

"Care will need to be taken to put Australia on a path to medium-term fiscal balance, without unduly tightening policy at a time when growth is still below trend.

"The significant delay in firming up the government's medium-term plans could also be somewhat costly, as it leaves households and businesses uncertain about what the government will do."

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Pressure grows for NSW pub lockouts

EMERGENCY service workers and doctors are demanding NSW government action to stop the carnage caused by alcohol-fuelled violence.

NSW confirmed it was the capital of drunken violence at the weekend, with 540 arrests during a trans-Tasman operation meant to curb the problem.

The NSW opposition is renewing its calls for a trial of reduced trading hours and lockouts in the state's licensed venues after the success of those measures in Newcastle.

The Last Drinks coalition, a group representing concerned emergency department staff, police and paramedics, has joined the chorus.

Its spokesperson, Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation president Dr Tony Sara, says the pressure is firmly on the government.

Dr Sara says a trial in select trouble spots would show positive results in a short time.

He said measures in Newcastle cut alcohol violence by 37 per cent and emergency department admissions by 26 per cent, so were worth a try in Sydney.

He challenged NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell to explain what harm a trial could do, believing the government was under the thumb of the powerful liquor lobby.

"How could it hurt?" Dr Sara told AAP.

"It might reduce profits a bit, but either they lose some money or we continue to have people hurt and maimed.

"I think the community comes before profits."

But Mr O'Farrell rejected calls for tougher laws, arguing authorities had done their part.

"Police and government agencies are doing their bit and the hotel industry, by and large, is responsibly getting on with their task," he told reporters on Monday.

"What we now need is for the community to come to the party."

NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson says police tell him privately they support tougher measures such as pub lockouts.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione agreed that cultural shift was crucial.

"Police will never arrest our way out of this problem," he said.

"If we don't start today we will lose a generation of young people to this love affair with alcohol."

Mr Scipione said a 23-year-old man who was punched and stomped on in front of dozens of revellers at Bondi Beach at the weekend was no longer in a critical condition.

The Australian Hotels Association NSW would not comment.

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Aurizon to cut rail fleet, cancel project

FREIGHT and coal haulage operator Aurizon will take a hit of almost $200 million as it cuts the size of its rail fleet and cancels a major Queensland project.

The company, previously known as QR National, is reducing its locomotive fleet by 28 per cent and cutting the number of wagons by 12 per cent in a bid to bring down fuel and maintenance costs.

Aurizon's downsizing will appear as an asset impairment expense of $130 million to $150 million in its accounts for the first half of the 2013/14 financial year.

The company will also incur a $47 million impairment on recent changes to several projects, including Glencore Xstrata's decision to stop the Wandoan project because of weakening thermal coal prices.

Aurizon had proposed a 210 kilometre Surat Basin rail corridor from the Wandoan mine in a joint venture with the Swiss multinational.

"There's not any job losses that are related to that," chief executive Lance Hockridge told reporters on Monday.

In July, Aurizon launched a second voluntary redundancy program in a bid to save $230 million by 2015.

Some 248 voluntary redundancies have since been accepted.

"I think the bulk of it is done," Mr Hockridge said.

More than 2,000 employees have left the company since it was privatised by the former Queensland Labor government in 2010.

Mr Hockridge said he was "cautious but confident" about the thermal coal sector, as well as the future of projects in Queensland's Galilee Basin, where Aurizon has agreed to develop a rail project for the GVK-Hancock joint venture involving billionaire Gina Rinehart.

Aurizon shares were down one cent at $4.69 at 1504 AEDT.

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Bushfire threatens lives, homes in WA town

High temperatures in Western Australia have prompted bushfire warnings for much of the state. Source: AAP

FIREFIGHTERS are battling an out-of-control bushfire that is threatening lives and homes northeast of Perth.

An emergency warning has been issued for people four kilometres east of Toodyay.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) says the fire is burning on both sides of Goomalling Toodyay Road, and homes in the Wicklow and Dumbarton Estates are under direct threat.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive," the DFES said.

"The bushfire is out of control and unpredictable."

About 150 career and volunteer firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service and Bush Fire Service are fighting the fire, which was reported at 9.18am on Sunday and has so far burned about 100 hectares.

Two helitacs and two fixed-wing water bombers have been sent to assist ground crews.

The DFES says the bushfire is moving fast in a south-southeastern direction.

Residents in Toodyay, about 86km northeast of Perth, told AAP there was smoke in the township but they were pleased with the quick response from firefighters.

Shire president David Dow said the blaze was burning in a semi-rural and rural area but there were still hundreds of people living there.

"The fire is obviously very serious," he told AAP.

"Everyone is just getting out at the moment."

The DFES has warned that if the way is clear, residents should leave now.

"Do not wait and see. Leaving at the last minute is deadly," it said.

Residents who plan to stay and actively defend their properties are warned not to rely on mains water pressure because it may be affected.

People have been told to leave in a western direction towards the Toodyay township.

Goomalling-Toodyay Road has been closed and motorists have been warned to avoid the area.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

In December 2009, a bushfire caused by a fallen power pole destroyed 38 homes and damaged about 137 properties in Toodyay.

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Nervous trading ahead of Federal Reserve

THE Australian sharemarket is expected to see some nervous trading ahead of this week's US Federal Reserve meeting.

The meeting is expected to indicate when the Federal Reserve might wind back its stimulus program, after a bipartisan US budget deal in congress that would avert another US government shutdown.

The Fed's decision is expected to reach Australia on Thursday morning.

AMP chief economist Shane Oliver is tipping a soft start to local trading on Monday.

"We will see a week of nervous trading ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting, then shares will look a bit stronger into the Christmas period," Dr Oliver said.

The Fed's announcement may cause the Australian dollar to fall, he said.

CommSec chief economist Craig James agreed most investors will be treading water early in the week.

"Our markets will have a flat start on Monday and most investors won't be buying and selling - they will wait until the (Fed's) decision comes through," Mr James said.

The Australian market fell 6-7 per cent over the last six weeks while US and European markets finished flat last week.

The Dow Jones on Friday was up 15.9 points (0.10 per cent) at 15,755.36, but down 1.7 per cent for the week.

The Australian dollar rose from 89.3 to 89.6 cents and was likely to drift until the Fed's decision, Mr James said.

The futures market dropped 15 points or 0.3 per cent, and oil prices fell modestly last week.

"The base metal markets saw a modest gain, which is positive for Australian miners," Mr James said.

Locally, the Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) and the Reserve Bank meeting minutes will be released on Tuesday.

At Friday's close, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 35.9 points, or 0.71 per cent, at 5,098.4. The broader All Ordinaries index was up 32.3 points, or 0.64 per cent, at 5,101.5.

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Man dies following Vic skydiving incident

A MAN has plunged to his death in a skydiving incident in Victoria's northeast.

The 33-year-old man's parachute malfunctioned and he fell a considerable distance in Drysdale Road, Euroa, about 12.30pm (AEDT), an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.

The man was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived and they tried to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The Australian Skydiving Association has been notified.

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PM backs easing Qantas ownership limits

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has backed unshackling Qantas from restrictions on foreign share ownership.

But independent Senator Nick Xenophon said it was not the Qantas legislation which needed to be changed but the management and board.

Mr Abbott said Qantas' desire for easing of the 1992 Qantas Sale Act was not unreasonable.

"Where we can be helpful we will certainly try to be helpful but as I understand it, what Qantas wants is to be unshackled, he told the Financial Review newspaper.

Qantas is facing tough times, with a sinking share price and plans to shed 1000 jobs, impose pay freezes and make cuts across the board as confronts the prospect of massive losses.

The Qantas Sale Act, under which the airline was privatised, limits foreign ownership to 49 per cent

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline was not competing on a level playing field, with competitor Virgin receiving a $350 million injection from its foreign owners Etihad, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines.

Senator Xenophon challenged Mr Joyce to show one dollar of profit since setting up Jetstar Asia and other offshoots.

"If the CEO Alan Joyce and the chairman Lee Clifford go, that will transform the airline because they have presided over monumental strategic mistakes including the failed Jetstar experiment in Asia where they have burned hundreds of millions," he told AAP.

The airline is now vulnerable to a private equity takeover because the share price is so low. The private equity buccaneers are now circling the airline."

Neither is Labor convinced, with MP Matt Thistlethwaite saying the restrictions in the Qantas Sale Act existed for a good reason.

"Given what happened to private equity in the global financial crisis you could probably fairly say if we didn't have the Qantas Sale Act.....Qantas would not be here today," he told Sky News.

Liberal Josh Frydenberg said Qantas was an iconic Australian brand which should survive and proper.

"It would be negligent of us not to investigate the various ways we could help Qantas to survive and prosper," he told Sky News.

"Ultimately if you were to change the ownership restrictions, that would be an issue for the Australian parliament."

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Milat relative appeals murder sentence

A GREAT-NEPHEW of serial killer Ivan Milat who killed his friend in a forest did not commit the worst class of murder, a court has heard.

Teenage axe murderers Matthew Milat and Cohen Klein are having their appeal heard in Sydney on Friday.

The pair are appealing the severity of their sentences handed down last year for the murder of 17-year-old David Auchterlonie at Belanglo State Forest in November 2010.

Milat was sentenced to at least 30 years, with a maximum term of 43.

Klein was jailed for at least 22 years, with a maximum 32-year term.

Deputy Senior Public Defender John Stratton SC, representing Milat, told the Criminal Court of Appeal that although it was a heinous crime, it was not in the worst class of murder.

"This did not come into the worst case," Mr Stratton told the court on Friday.

Mr Stratton also mentioned that Milat's only prior conviction was for drink-driving.

The family of the victim are present in court.

Mr Stratton has put forward a maximum 22-year jail term with a non-parole period of 15 years.

He said there was little evidence of torture involved and there was a danger to young prisoners who serve lengthy jail sentences.

Mr Stratton submitted to the judges various cases where murderers had their sentences cut.

But Justice Robert Hulme said nine months after the killing, Milat wrote letters that showed "unrepentant enjoyment at the prospective of callous murder".

Justice Hulme also called the reduction to a 22-year sentence as "bold".

At his sentencing hearing, it was revealed that Milat had written several poems during his time in custody, including one titled "Killer looks and on evil side" where he writes "shelter you will need to seek, so terrified you can hardly speak".

Another poem includes the verse "I am not fazed by blood or screams, nothing I do will haunt my dreams".

The axe attack took place in the same NSW Southern Highlands forest where Ivan Milat murdered seven backpackers in the early 1990s.

Sentencing the pair, Acting Justice Jane Mathews said the victim was tortured and tormented before Milat fatally struck him with a double-bladed axe.

"This was a thrill kill," she concluded.

"In other words, he (Milat) took the life of an innocent young man, who was unfortunate enough to be his friend."

Klein's barrister Janet Manuell SC said her client had pleaded guilty early in the court proceedings.

A 25 per cent discount to sentences is usually applied when a guilty plea is entered at an early stage but this was not given to Klein, she argued.

Ms Manuell said there was "utilitarian value" to an early plea, given the vast amount of distressing material in the case, that a trial would have taken up to several months and young people under 18 would have had to give evidence.

She said Milat was the "dominant" one - who found the weapon, organised to bring the victim to the forest, struck the blow and bragged about it later.

"The role of (Klein) was one of support and facilitation," Ms Manuell said.

"There was some evidence of remorse."

Crown prosecutor Nicole Noman SC, who is opposing any reduction in the sentences, said the killing was planned, premeditated and a "thrill kill".

"It was planned by both of them to go to Belanglo forest," Ms Noman said.

"Each of them performed a different ... but meaningful role to make sure this planned murder occurred.

"It was cold, it was calculated ... it was not momentary."

Ms Noman said Milat at one stage asked Klein if he could "feel the adrenaline".

After the killing, Klein mentioned to Milat that he was "going down the path of his uncle" and showed "a form of admiration," she said.

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Thirteen dead in 13 days on Vic roads

THIRTEEN people have died on Victoria's roads by the 13th day of December, Friday the 13th.

A man died when his cement truck rolled off a bridge and crashed into a river on Friday morning in the 12th fatal accident in 13 days.

Road policing command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said the number of fatalities in such a short time frame was extremely concerning heading into the festive season.

"This is a horrible start to December, especially as we head into what we know is a high-risk time of the year on Victorian roads," Mr Hill said.

"I don't want to see any more ungiven gifts under Christmas tree this year, however we are likely to see another 10 deaths on our roads and potentially 250 people seriously injured."

Three pedestrians have been killed so far in December, a figure that could rise with a woman fighting for her life in hospital after been hit by a car at Brighton East on Friday morning.

The warning comes as Victoria Police launch their Summer Stay road campaign, a two-month blitz aiming to reduce the road toll over the holiday season.

The campaign will target drink/drug driving, speeding, fatigue, driver distraction and drivers not wearing a seatbelt.

Victoria's road toll stands at 225 compared with 271 deaths at the same time last year.

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NSW deficit revised with $656m downfall

A SOFT economy and government revenue decline have cancelled out the benefits from a prospering property market to deliver a big blow to NSW's bottom line.

Despite initial budget forecasts for a $1.89 billion deficit in 2013-14, NSW is now on track to plunge to about a $2.5 billion deficit.

The $656 million downfall will push out NSW's target for a surplus to 2016-17, according to the Half-Yearly Review released on Thursday.

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird said a fall in payroll tax revenue, despite the "shining light" property sector, contributed to the position.

He also attributed a shift in budget accounting and employee and superannuation expenses to the negative revision.

The NSW government is still reaping the rewards of a strengthening property market with stamp duty growth expected to exceed budget forecasts by between three and four per cent.

But the outlook shows it will not be enough to overcome the forecast $166 million decrease in payroll tax revenue for 2013-14.

"Over the budget estimates, yes, stamp duty is up but it is pretty much offset by the payroll," Mr Baird said on Thursday.

"So the payroll weakness has come off (due to) two factors.

"Wages growth is not as strong and a slighter, weaker employment rate ... so that has driven the revenue down in terms of payroll." Property Council of Australia NSW executive director Glenn Byres said the stamp duty results showed the property market was one of the viable areas of the economy.

"Where we need to be cautious is stamp duty is a volatile source of revenue, so the state will need to immune itself against sudden shifts," he told AAP.

Mr Byres said the real challenge was making the property market upturn go past the usual "ebb and flow" cycle of one or two years.

Mr Baird said the budget would be in a worse position if not for the lease and sale of assets such as Port Botany and Kembla.

The asset sales have helped prop up NSW's infrastructure spending.

Mr Baird conceded the state had challenges but said he was not alarmed.

He also did not rule out further revenue raising actions to bring the books back into the black.

Based on figures from a new budget accounting standard that incorporates changes to how superannuation is treated, NSW is forecast to achieve a $320 million surplus by 2016-17.

That is later than the June forecast of a $157m surplus in 2015-16.

The NSW Business Chamber says it's not surprising payroll tax receipts are lower than expected with business confidence in the "doldrums" for two years.

"The NSW Business Chamber has long been a critic of payroll tax as a burden that does not encourage employers to hire new staff and is a perverse incentive to reduce employment during economic downturns," chief executive officer Stephen Cartwright said.

Opposition Leader John Robertson said it took an extraordinary level of incompetence to have tax takes, record dividends and job cuts but not a balanced budget.

"What this shows is this Liberal government with a treasurer in Mike Baird is inept and incapable of delivering a budget that is going to sustain NSW going forward," he said.

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Fares up and bus route changes for Sydney

SYDNEY commuters may have to travel further to reach their bus stops next year and pay more to climb aboard following a raft of transport changes.

The NSW government's 20-year plan to redesign Sydney's bus system aims to streamline more than 600 bus routes.

The plan, Sydney's Bus Future, will introduce a three-tiered network and see more rapid routes, like the existing metrobuses.

The rapid routes will link major centres and create a "turn up and go service" with a bus every 10 minutes on weekdays.

However, routes will see fewer stops and commuters may have to walk further to reach them.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced the plan on Thursday, along with a public transport fare increase to start on January 5.

Opposition Leader John Robertson slammed the plan, saying it would create longer queues at fewer bus stops.

Customers on "suburban" routes will get a bus at least every 10 minutes in peak times and every 15 minutes during the day on weekdays.

"Local" services will have buses stopping every 400 metres.

The new plan's 13 "rapid" routes will link Sydney's hubs, but will only stop every 800 metres to one kilometre.

The government says the bus route changes will see 1.5 million Sydneysiders living within a 10 minute walk to "turn up and go" services on rapid or suburban routes.

Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said the government recognised that increasing buses was the problem, not the solution, for traffic congestion.

"The metro bus routes have been very popular and the development of more rapid services that have reduced stopping patterns, but faster trips, will be very attractive to passengers who travel over longer distances," she said.

The Tourism & Transport Forum supports the plan, but deputy chief executive Trent Zimmerman wants more services to Olympic Park.

"We are disappointed the plan does not include express bus services from Strathfield to cater for a growing workforce and we encourage the government to keep the door open on improving bus links to Olympic Park," he said.

While the government says it will not increase MyZone fares in line with an IPART recommendation, there will be an increase in line with CPI.

The hike will range between a 20 cent increase on single adult tickets up to a $2 increase for MyMulti weekly tickets.

However, Opal fares will remain unchanged.

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NRL's Ferguson denies groping woman in bar

RUGBY league player Blake Ferguson has denied groping a young woman at a Sydney nightspot and says it's all a case of mistaken identity.

Ferguson is accused of touching a 24-year-old woman between her legs at 2230 Bar and Restaurant in Cronulla on June 16.

The woman has stood by her claim the former Canberra Raiders player squeezed her vagina firmly while he was out celebrating his NSW State of Origin selection with fellow player Josh Dugan.

But Ferguson told Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday he did not grope the woman.

He says he did touch her on the upper, inside thigh because he mistook her for another blonde woman he'd been kissing at another pub Northies earlier that night.

Ferguson said he had made plans to meet up with the woman at the other bar later in the night.

He said when he saw the alleged victim he thought it was her.

"I tried to kiss her just like I did (before)," he said.

When she then slapped and hit him, he said he giggled because he didn't know why the girl was suddenly rejecting his advances.

"I sort of realised it wasn't her, but she kept on yelling and screaming at me," he said.

"I was pretty embarrassed."

But police prosecutor Rick Manley said Ferguson never explained to the alleged victim, her boyfriend or Dugan that he'd thought the girl was someone else.

When Mr Manley suggested this version of events was a last-minute invention, Ferguson insisted it had been an innocent mistake.

"I would never touch anyone like that if I didn't know them on an intimate level," he told the court.

Dugan also gave evidence he'd seen Ferguson canoodling a young blonde woman at the previous venue.

When asked by Ferguson's lawyer Adam Houda if, as a sports star, there was "no shortage" of young women approaching him, Dugan replied: "Not at all."

In CCTV footage shown in court, Ferguson can be seen posing for photos with fans and hugging a young woman before turning and approaching the alleged victim behind him.

She then shoves and slaps Ferguson, who goes to the other side of the bar.

The hearing before Magistrate Jacqueline Trad continues.

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Govt moves to extend Senate sitting

The government will try to extend Senate sitting hours to force a vote on the carbon tax repeal. Source: AAP

THE federal government will attempt to have the Senate sit beyond Thursday to try to force a vote on its carbon tax repeal legislation.

The move will fail if Labor and the Greens gang up on the coalition in the upper house.

Government senate leader Eric Abetz wants senators to remain in Canberra for as long as it takes - up to Christmas if necessary.

The Senate so far has voted on only one of the 11 bills in the government's repeal package.

Nor has it voted on a bill to repeal Labor's minerals resource rent tax.

Senator Abetz says the government has a "thumping mandate" to get rid of the carbon tax.

"The Labor and Green alliance in the Senate is seeking to deny that legislation getting through before Christmas," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Greens senator Richard Di Natale said his colleagues would consider extending sitting hours at a party meeting on Wednesday morning.

But party leader Christine Milne already has said she won't be in Canberra past Thursday, when parliament is due to rise for the long summer break.

It doesn't return until mid-February.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon flagged his support for the government move.

"We have got a job to do to deal with legislation one way or the other and we should just get on with it," he said.

A spokesman for Senator Di Natale later said the Greens would oppose any government move to extend Senate sitting hours.

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Echo says debt restructure to cost $22m

CASINO owner Echo Entertainment will incur a one-off charge of $22 million from changes made to its debt arrangements.

But the owner of Sydney's The Star said the changes will reduce its finance costs from the second half of the 2013/14 financial year to the 2015/16 year.

Echo had closed out some of its interest rate swap positions and restructured its lending arrangement, it said.

That will involve pre-tax expenses of $22 million which will be recognised its in results for the first half of the 2013/14 year.

Echo shares were down 7.5 cents, or 3.1 per cent, at $2.325 at 1412 AEDT.

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Senate rejects first carbon tax bill

THE Senate has rejected the first of the government's carbon tax repeal bills with Labor and the Greens combining to vote it down.

Parliament's upper house voted 38 to 29 against further debate on a bill to scrap the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation, effectively defeating the legislation.

It was the first of the package of 11 bills to repeal the carbon tax, in line with a coalition election promise.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said abolition of the corporation was a priority for the government and a commitment Prime Minister Tony Abbott took to the September 7 election.

The government had the strong support of voters who rejected Labor at the poll, he said.

"Labor takes the position they have flagged in this chamber today at their peril."

The CEFC was set up by the Gillard government to help finance clean energy projects.

Labor has condemned its abolition, saying it returned about $200 million a year to the budget.

But Senator Cormann said scrapping the CEFC would save money because the corporation had to raise funds at public debt borrowing rates, which Labor senators had ignored.

CEFC chair Jillian Broadbent, a former member of the Reserve Bank of Australia board, last week pleaded with the government to reconsider its plan, saying the corporation had made a profit and helped curb carbon emissions.

Labor senators condemned the move to abolish the CEFC, saying it would hurt the government's ability to reach its emissions reduction targets.

"It will cost the taxpayer more to shut this corporation down than Abbott says it will save," Labor senator Glenn Sterle said.

Labor colleague Ursula Stephens said the coalition was taking a "very important, potent policy tool" away from its direct action plan.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013 cannot be reintroduced for three months.

If it is rejected a second time, the government will have a double-dissolution trigger.

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Aust research could prevent stillbirth

A team of Victorian researchers has developed a test they say could prevent stillbirth. Source: AAP

A MELBOURNE woman involved in a world-first test that aims to reduce stillbirths says she hopes she can help other expectant mothers avoid the heartbreaking tragedy.

Mercy Health researchers have developed a blood test that will help doctors test if a fetus is at risk of stillbirth.

Researchers say the test, which measures a baby's oxygen levels inside the womb, could be more effective than an ultrasound.

Rochelle Haralambous had blood tests throughout her pregnancy to monitor her premature baby Tia, as part of the study.

Doctors monitored Tia to ensure she was not born too early or too late.

"If it can help any mums in the decision-making of taking that baby out of their stomach and delivering it early, then that would certainly help a lot," Ms Haralambous said on Monday.

She said the test could help her again in the future if she decides to have more children.

Lead researcher Clare Whitehead and Professors Stephen Tong and Susan Walker developed the test, which measures RNA fragments that are released when a baby is suffering from dangerously low levels of oxygen.

Dr Whitehead says the test can help doctors deliver premature babies at the right time.

"If we know how much oxygen the baby is getting we can deliver pregnancies prior to the oxygen levels becoming very low and the baby succumbing to stillbirths," Dr Whitehead said.

She says the test could be made available in three to five years.

An international clinical trial is taking place across seven hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

One in every 135 Australian pregnancies ends in stillbirth, Dr Whitehead said.

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NSW bar owner on fraud charge

A BAR owner has been charged with providing fraudulent information to get a liquor licence for his premises in Armidale in the NSW's Northern Tablelands.

The 39-year-old man allegedly submitted an application to the licensing police in the New England Local Area Command in April 2013.

Since the licence was granted for the Beardy Street premises, police said they had attended a number of alcohol-related incidents.

Investigations revealed the man had allegedly provided fraudulent details to obtain the licence.

He was arrested on Friday and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Police also executed two search warrants and seized financial documentation and computer equipment.

The man was released on bail to appear at Armidale Local Court on January 20.

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John Legend lands his first Aussie No.1

JOHN Legend's All of Me has become his first No.1 single in Australia, topping the ARIA chart.

Legend is in the country touring as support act to Alicia Keys, and while the racy video clip featuring his wife, model Chrissy Teigen, must have given the song its initial viewings, the track has sold enough to be certified Gold in Australia after four weeks in the charts.

The Monster for Eminem and Rihanna is back down to No.2 after three weeks at the top, while Magic! climb four places to a new peak of No.3 with Rude.

Spending their eighth week within the Top 10, Pitbull and Ke$ha climb back up to their former high of No.4 for a third non-consecutive week, while Avicii is back down two places to No.5 with Hey Brother, and Guy Sebastian holds at No.6 with Like a Drum.

Katy Perry is down three places to No.7 with Roar, Bastille and Justice Crew hold at No.8 and No.9 respectively, while the new No.1 album holder in the country, Taylor Henderson, is back up a couple of places to No.10 with Borrow My Heart.

Over on the ARIA albums chart, the self-titled debut set for Taylor Henderson is the new No.1 this week.

After a single week at the top, One Direction drop down a place to No.2 with Midnight Memories, while climbing up a place to a new peak of No.3 is Willy Nilly - The 12th Man's Biggest Hits for comedian Billy Birmingham, which pushes Prism for Katy Perry down to No.4.

Human Nature climb a place to a new peak of No.5 with The Christmas Album, while Michael Buble returns to the Top 10 with 2011/2012 No.1 album Christmas, rising five places to No.6 this week, accumulating its 16th week within the Top 10.

The self-titled album for Dami Im drops four places to No.7 and Eminem is down three to No.8 with The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

Robbie Williams drops a couple of places to No.9 with Swings Both Ways and Lorde is down two spots to No.10 with Pure Heroine.

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Australia pledges more aid to Philippines

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop has visited typhoon-devastated communities in the Philippines, pledging another $10 million to Australia's aid effort.

Ms Bishop on Sunday met the Australian medical team in Tacloban, one of the areas worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan, and Australian Defence Force personnel working in Ormoc and surrounding areas.

She thanked the health, defence, aid, consular and other officials who have responded to the crisis, and the Australian public who had donated more than $13 million to relief and recovery efforts.

The additional $10 million in humanitarian relief brings Australia's total contribution to $40 million.

Almost 15 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which caused massive destruction early last month.

Ms Bishop will travel to Manila to meet her Filipino counterpart and other cabinet members, where the Philippines' recovery needs and broader bilateral and regional issues will be discussed.

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NSW releases freight and port strategy

SHIFTING truck movements to off-peak periods is just one of the ways the NSW government is hoping to cope with increasing pressure on the state's transport network.

The NSW government released its first Freight and Ports Strategy on Saturday, with the hopes of planning for the growth of the state's economy for the next 20 years.

The government said 409 million tonnes of freight was moved on the NSW transport network in 2011.

This number is expected to grow to 794 million tonnes by 2031.

The strategy notes the competing needs of passengers and freight on the state's rail and road network.

It suggests one way the state could deal with this is by shifting truck movements to off-peak periods.

"Currently, most road freight movements take place during daylight hours on weekdays. This means that freight and passenger movements largely happen at the same time," the strategy says.

"Moving freight trips to times outside peak periods will contribute to reduced congestion and, more importantly, can improve freight access and reliability.

"This will potentially lead to lower transport costs for the entire community."

The strategy says opportunities also exist to shift more freight to rail.

Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay said the strategy was a milestone.

"With the efficient and effective freight network underpinning the strength of our exports and reducing the costs of everyday goods and services, the strategy will ensure that freight is at the forefront of our economy," he said in a statement.

The strategy coincides with the announcement of funds to fix roads in regional NSW.

The first $1.5 million under the Fixing Country Roads program will allow Forbes Shire Council in the Lachlan Valley to boost vehicle access to the GrainCorp Red Bend grain silos.

President of NSW Farmers Fiona Simson said transport in regional NSW had been overlooked for some time.

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2014 Grammy nominations announced in LA

MACKLEMORE & Ryan Lewis, Lorde, Taylor Swift, Pink, Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar are among the multiple nominees announced at the Grammy nominations concert.

Macklemore and Lewis have been nominated for major awards best song, best album and best new artist of the year during the hour-long TV show to reveal some of the nominees for the 56th Grammys.

Joining Macklemore and Lewis in the best new artist category are fellow album of the year nominee Kendrick Lamar, country singer Kacey Musgraves and British musicians James Blake and Ed Sheeran.

Kiwi singer Lorde, 17, has picked up two Grammy nominations - song of the year and record of the year.

Australian country music star Keith Urban performed during the Los Angeles show.

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Champagne flows at Nine listing

Nine Entertainment shares are tipped to make a successful debut on the ASX on Friday. Source: AAP

IT wasn't quite a champagne launch but the bubbly still flowed at the sharemarket debut of Nine Entertainment as current affairs star Liz Hayes rang the bell on a new era of public ownership for the TV network.

Nine Entertainment shares opened at $2.02 on the Australian Securities Exchange, below their $2.05 issue price but chief executive David Gyngell made no comment on the pricing as he welcomed the company's new shareholders with a friendly warning that he "looked forward to the ups and downs" and would not sugar coat the realities of doing business.

"That's the way we run our business at Channel Nine - often wrong but never in doubt," Mr Gyngell said, to laughter from the crowd of Nine Entertainment staff and investors.

"You'll never hear us sugar coat it."

Mr Gyngell described the float process as "satisfying", saying in a statement that the share offer had been oversubscribed.

"We welcome both domestic and international investors and look forward to their long term investment in our business," he said.

Nine's float values the company at $1.93 billion and has raised $636 million, with $395 million flowing to the company's private owners including two US hedge funds that retain stakes.

A further $199 million goes to paying down debt while the company will receive $50 million in cash.

Mr Gyngell will be paid $2 million a year and received about 4.5 million shares under the terms of the float, worth $9.3 million at the issue price.

He also received a cash bonus of $2.5 million for taking the company to listing and an additional $4.5 million worth of performance rights.

Nine Entertainment shares were at $2 at 1444 AEDT, down five cents on heavy volume with 40 million shares traded.

BBY analyst Mark McDonnell said the first few hours of trading should not be seen as indicative of where the share price might go.

The shares came on at the low end of the $2.05-$2.35 range indicated during the offer and were "fairly priced", Mr McDonnell said.

The challenge for Nine now will be to achieve its 38.4 per cent ad revenue market share goals against a strengthened Ten Network.

Ten has billionaire shareholders Lachlan Murdoch, James Packer and Bruce Gordon backing a $200 million loan for the network and has secured rights to the Twenty20 cricket.

"Nine has a fantastic franchise in cricket through the summer and Ten is going to nibble away at that," Mr McDonnell said.

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Holden urged to declare Australian plans

The government and opposition have denied rumours Holden will pull out of Australia from 2016. Source: AAP

THE future for car maker Holden looks increasingly bleak, with pressure growing on the company to decide on the fate of its local manufacturing operations.

Holden has dismissed as speculation reports, sourced to senior federal government figures, that it has already decided to close by 2016.

But Prime Minister Tony Abbott has also rejected spending more public money to keep the company building cars in Australia, something thought essential for Holden to stay.

"I think they owe it to the workforce, they owe it to the suppliers, they owe it to the people of Australia to say what they're doing," Mr Abbott said on Friday.

"Are they staying or are they going?"

Mr Abbott said the government would not offer anything beyond what was promised at the September election - a total of $500 million in car industry assistance to 2015.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said that made a mockery of the federal government's review of car industry assistance by the Productivity Commission.

He accused sections of the federal government of deliberately undermining the process to secure Holden's future.

"They want to create the most hostile environment so that Holden will actually take the decision out of their hands by just simply closing," Mr Weatherill said.

The premier said he had spoken to Holden boss Mike Devereux, who had rejected the closure reports and reaffirmed no decision had yet been made.

The company also issued a bulletin to workers telling them they would be the first to know of any decision.

The company said it remained fully committed to the negotiation process and to also taking part in the Productivity Commission review.

Mr Devereux spoke with workers in Adelaide on Thursday and is due to front the commission on Tuesday.

Australian Manufacturing Workers Unions state secretary John Camillo said Mr Devereux was upbeat in his comments to staff and made no mention of closure.

He said those same workers were now devastated by what they were reading in the media and wanted to know where they stood, preferably before Christmas.

Absentee rates at Holden were increasing due to the stress created by the uncertainty, though the union ruled out taking industrial action.

"We've got workers, we've got families, we've got communities who are really worried about whether Holden is going to survive or not," Mr Camillo said.

"Workers' lives are at risk, because of the politics that is being played by all sides. This has gone too far."

Federal opposition industry spokesman Kim Carr said the government should have sent a delegation to General Motors in Detroit to discuss the future of Holden.

Senator Carr said the coalition had been "incredibly indolent, lazy" about developing a plan for the auto sector.

Holden last year agreed to a $275 million assistance package in return for developing and building two new model cars in Australia from 2016.

However, it is now thought to need as much as $500 million and has repeatedly warned that its local operations are not sustainable without ongoing support.

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Analysts tip positive start for Nine share

NINE Entertainment Co's shares are tipped to make a successful stock market debut but analysts say there are longer term doubts about the company's earnings.

The company, which owns the Nine Network, Ticketek and ninemsn, will list on the Australian Securities Exchange at noon AEDT on Friday with a list price of $2.05 per share.

That price is at the bottom of the range put forward in the company's prospectus, which analysts say will give its shares room to move higher on Friday.

"The IPO price at $2.05 does give it a bit of room to move on the upside," IG market strategist Evan Lucas said.

"I think tomorrow they will probably get away nicely... it should be an okay float," he said.

At its listing price, Nine will be valued at $1.93 billion, making it the biggest initial public offering this year.

Mr Lucas said Nine's first day performance should be better than that of Dick Smith Holdings, which finished its first day of trading on Wednesday flat at its list price of $2.20.

But he said questions remained about Nine as a long term investment due to the uncertain outlook for free to air television.

"There is always going to be a question regarding the advertiser revenue it is generating but its digital assets do look reasonable," he said.

CMC Markets chief market analyst Ric Spooner said Nine shares wouldn't be for everyone.

"It's an industry where evaluations should carry a reasonable amount of risk premium and some investors may prefer to steer clear of it altogether," he said.

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Qantas CEO says airline management 'great'

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says the airline is being managed well, despite posting a loss of up to $300m. Source: AAP

QANTAS chief executive Alan Joyce has launched a spirited defence of his management team's performance, saying they're doing a "great job in tough circumstances".

Qantas said on Thursday it would shed at least 1000 jobs as it works to save $2 billion over the next three years, after announcing it expects to post a half-year loss of up to $300 million.

Qantas' shares dropped 14.5 per cent to $1.06 as of 1235 AEDT following the announcement.

The news comes as Qantas continues to talk to the federal government about possible support for the airline.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Joyce said he'd be taking at least a 38 per cent pay cut in 2013 due to the the airline's poor performance.

But he defended the work of Qantas' board and management.

"I believe the management of Qantas are doing a great job in tough circumstances," Mr Joyce told Sky News.

"The Qantas board and management are operating in tough environments and I believe are continuing to do a good job in tough circumstances."

He said there were a lot of airlines around the world that "would love to be reporting a profit nine of the last 10 years".

He said Qantas had a strong domestic franchise, a strong Jetstar business and a strong frequent flyer business.

"The value that we've created in this company and the strategic position that we've put the company in has been great," Mr Joyce added.

He said Qantas had made money in the domestic market in two out of the last three years.

But he said Qantas wasn't operating on a level playing field because its main domestic competitor Virgin was funded by three state-owned enterprises.

"That's created this unbalanced ... playing field," Mr Joyce said.

He said the airline was talking to the federal government about getting support, but refused to be drawn on what specific options were in play.

"I'm not going to give a running commentary," he said.

Trading conditions for Qantas deteriorated markedly in November with a steeper decline in passenger loads and yields.

In August, Australia's major airline swung to a $5 million full year profit, from a historic $245 million loss in the previous year.

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Westfield's Aust assets to be spun off

Westfield Group will split its Australian and New Zealand assets from its international business. Source: AAP

WESTFIELD founder Frank Lowy says a move to split its Australasian and international businesses is a "win-win" that will help both companies to grow.

Westfield Group has announced it will merge its Australian and New Zealand assets with those of Westfield Retail Trust, which was spun off from the main company in 2010, to create a new company called Scentre Group.

Meanwhile, the faster growing international business will become Westfield Corporation.

Mr Lowy said the separation was in the interests of both businesses.

"This is really a win win situation for both companies," he said.

"They can each operate more efficiently, and generate greater growth and value for investors, by being independent."

Invast chief market analyst Peter Esho said the decision to split the companies would help drive Westfield's global expansion.

"I think its a clever deal; what it allows Westfield to do is free itself up of capital and pursue international growth," he said.

Mr Lowy said the outlook for both companies was strong, even though the expanding international entity is seen by analysts to have greater long term growth opportunities than the mature Australasian operations.

"There is no question about Australia's growth in retail and there is no question about the opportunities that Westfield Corporation will have globally," he said.

Mr Lowy, who co-founded Westfield in the late 1950s, will chair both companies.

His sons Steven and Peter, who are co-chief executives of Westfield Group will both head Westfield Corporation, though Peter will step down from the role in about 18 months time.

Current Westfield Group chief financial officer Peter Allen will become chief executive of Scentre.

Mr Lowy said his position as chairman of both companies would help ensure a smooth transition.

"I think I will bring with me the culture of the Westfield Group and I think the transition will be smoother," he said.

And the 83 year old said he had no plans to retire any time soon.

"I don't know when I will step down, I hope to work for a long long time to come," he said.

Scentre is expected to be listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in mid 2014, while the Lowys are considering whether to list Westfield Corp in Australia, the UK or the US, though a joint listing is likely.

The Australasian business owns more than $28.5 billion worth of shopping centres, with a development pipeline of more than $3 billion, while Westfield Corporation will own more than $US17.6 billion ($A19.31 billion) worth of assets in the US, UK and Europe, with a future development pipeline of more than $US9 billion.

Westfield Group shares were up 33 cents to 10.69 at 1430 AEDT, while Westfield Retail Trust Shares were down five cents to $2.95.

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Weak domestic spending weighs on GDP

THE Australian economy's great rebalancing act had a touch of the wobbles in the September quarter.

Stronger housing and retail spending data over the past few months raised hopes that the non-mining parts of the economy were ready to balance out the expected fall in mining and resources investment.

However, official gross domestic product figures out on Wednesday showed that the economic growth was weighed down by weak consumer spending in the three months to September.

GDP grew at a sluggish 0.6 per cent in the September quarter, for an annual rate of 2.3 per cent, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

National Australia Bank senior economist David de Garis said the figures show that the non-mining sector of the economy was still quite weak.

"The complexion of growth does not tell a compelling story that the domestic economy has accelerated. In fact, it has remained quite soft," he said.

"We had good contribution from net exports, we've seen iron ore exports really starting to accelerate but the domestic economy and consumer spending has been soft."

Domestic final demand, a measure of total spending in the economy, rose only 0.4 per cent in the quarter, after a 0.7 per cent in the June quarter.

Mr de Garis said the figures would keep in place the possibility of a Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate cut in the new year.

"The RBA certainly wouldn't be revising up their (economic growth) forecasts at all, based of what they've seen today," he said.

"Our baseline forecast still has another cut in the cash rate pencilled in for May 2014, timing as usual depending on the data flow."

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said the rebalancing of the Australian economy is yet to come.

"Our central case remains that growth will rebalance further in coming quarters," he said.

"We expect this to mean that the RBA will not need to deliver more rate cuts, although further signs of rebalancing are clearly needed.

"The recent fall in the Australian dollar is expected to support this rebalancing."

Mr Bloxham said economic growth continues to be supported by mining investment and rising commodities exports as new projects start production.

"Growth remains sluggish and below trend, although it is not disastrously weak," he said.

"This suggests that the domestically-produced stages of the mining investment boom have continued to support growth in recent quarters. In broad terms, mining investment has 'plateaued' rather than plummeted and so is not yet a drag on growth."

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Petero turns down chance at Newman's team

RUGBY league legend Petero Civoniceva has passed on a chance to join the Queensland premier's team, believing he can do more for Redcliffe by himself.

The record-breaking former Australian forward says he was flattered by an invitation to stand for the Liberal National Party in the seat of Redcliffe, which was vacated by disgraced former LNP MP Scott Driscoll last month.

But Mr Civoniceva believes he can do a lot more for his community without aligning himself politically.

"I'm pretty proactive already. I'm an ambassador for a not-for-profit organisation that looks after a lot of community groups within Redcliffe," he told AAP on Tuesday.

"I'm pretty happy with where I am now, I work for the NRL, I still live in Redcliffe and my kids go to school here, I think I can do a lot more this way.

"No doubt Redcliffe has taken a big hit with what's happened (with Mr Driscoll) over the past year, but there are a lot more people who are more politically qualified to represent the community than me."

The LNP said nominations for the seat were still open.

Former federal MP Yvette D'Ath will stand as the Labor candidate, after she lost her federal seat of Petrie to the LNP's Luke Howarth at the September election.

Mr Civoniceva played 45 Tests for Australia and 30 State of Origin games for Queensland - both records for a forward.

He has also played 297 NRL games, including 225 for Brisbane, since he debuted for the Broncos in round 7, 1998.

Mr Civoniceva's competitive career came to an end last month, when he captained his native country Fiji and led it to semifinals of the Rugby League World Cup.

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Antarctic crash probe to take months: ATSB

Three Australians are in a stable condition after being injured in a helicopter crash in Antarctica. Source: AAP

AN investigation into a helicopter crash in Antarctica that injured three Australians could take several months to complete.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) spokeswoman says the agency will investigate Sunday evening's crash but that gathering information on the incident will likely take "several months".

The chopper's pilot and two passengers were injured while returning from a mission to survey a penguin colony near the Amery ice shelf, around 278 kilometres from Davis Station.

All three were transferred to Davis Station, part of the federal government's Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), on Monday night and are currently in a stable condition.

They're being treated by the Davis Station doctor, with support from the AAD's Polar Medicine Unit at Kingston in Tasmania.

An AAD spokeswoman on Tuesday said she couldn't provide any more details about the crash.

The AAD previously said the injured were cared for by crew from a second helicopter, which was travelling in tandem, while awaiting rescue from the crash site.

The AAD said it chartered the chopper from Helicopter Resources based in Melbourne.

In a statement, Environment Minister Greg Hunt praised the effort of rescuers.

"Their quick thinking and precise planning ensured that all the injured were cared for and kept safe during the ordeal," Mr Hunt said.

"The accident is a reminder of the challenges facing scientists working in this environment."

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