Man shot dead in Sydney's west

A MAN has been shot dead and another shot in the leg in separate incidents in Sydney's west.

A man was shot while standing outside a house in Boldrewood Road at Blackett around 1pm (AEDT) on Saturday, and died at the scene, police say.

In a separate incident around 11.45am, a man was shot in the leg while standing outside a house in Hinkler Grove, Bidwill.

He was taken to Mt Druitt Hospital, and police say his injury is not life threatening.

A crime scene has been established in both locations and detectives are en route from Mt Druitt Local Area Command and the state crime command's homicide squad.

It is too early to determine whether the incidents are connected, however, it will be a line of inquiry, police say.

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Roxon praised for work on tobacco

AUSTRALIA'S first female attorney-general Nicola Roxon won international recognition for taking on big tobacco and driving Australia's world-leading packaging laws, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Ms Roxon, who was elected as the member for Gellibrand in 1998, has resigned as attorney-general and minister for emergency management.

She will move to the backbench on Monday to be replaced by Victorian MP Mark Dreyfus, QC, and will not contest her safe seat at the next election.

Ms Roxon was emotional in Canberra on Saturday as she explained it had been a privilege to work for Labor for all those years.

But it was a demanding and exhausting job and she could not commit to the work rate for a sixth term in parliament.

"When I was elected 15 years ago, I hadn't even met my husband Michael and my daughter Rebecca was a long way from being born," she said.

"If I run for office again, she'll almost be in high school before I might retire.

"I admire the work the prime minister has done on behalf of Australian families and am extremely grateful for her understanding of the needs of mine," she said.

However she urged other women to consider giving politics a go, saying the sky was the limit and the political system needed them.

Ms Gillard said Ms Roxon had fearlessly taken on big tobacco and as minister for emergency management had been at the helm of the nation's response to natural disasters on many occasions.

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US prosecutor shot dead outside courthouse

A US prosecutor reportedly investigating the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood organised crime syndicate has been gunned down outside a courthouse in a small Texan town, officials say.

Kaufman County assistant district lawyer Mark Hasse, 57, was walking toward the courthouse having just parked his car when a suspect approached and shot him "multiple" times, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Pat Laney said.

She said the suspect fled with an accomplice in a car after the incident took place at around 8.30am (0130 AEDT).

"We are actively searching for them," Laney said, adding that the suspects had not been identified.

The courthouse and schools went into lockdown as police searched for the gunmen and their vehicle in Kaufman, a town with a population of only 7000 in northern Texas.

The courthouse was later closed.

The Dallas Morning News cited sources as saying that Hasse's caseload included investigations of members of the Aryan Brotherhood, although it stressed that prosecuting attorneys typically handle nearly 400 cases at a time.

Hasse was survived by his mother and a brother.

"He was very well liked," Laney said.

In addition to the Texas Rangers, Kaufman County authorities are probing the shooting alongside federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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Marshall set to take SA Liberal leadership

FORMER businessman and first-term MP Steven Marshall is set to take the leadership of the Liberal opposition in South Australia.

Mr Marshall is expected to be unopposed on Monday at a party room meeting to pick a replacement for Isobel Redmond.

Ms Redmond quit as opposition leader on Thursday, citing ongoing speculation over her position and party disunity for her decision.

Mr Marshall, 45, confirmed on Friday that he would be a candidate for the leadership and rejected suggestions it was too soon in his political career for him to take on the role.

He said he had a wealth of experience in the business sector.

"Quite frankly I think that's what South Australia needs at the moment," he told reporters.

Mr Marshall said he had received a "huge amount of support" from his Liberal colleagues and had also spoken with former foreign minister Alexander Downer, who had assured him he would not contest the ballot.

The new leader's deputy is likely to be either current environment spokeswoman Vickie Chapman or former health spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith.

Ms Chapman has confirmed she will stand for the position while Mr Hamilton-Smith is yet to make a final decision.

Ms Chapman is considered the front runner, given Mr Hamilton-Smith's failed challenge against Ms Redmond late last year.

"I'm up for it, I'm ready for it," she said on Friday.

But the key for the opposition will be whether a Marshall-Chapman leadership team can unite the Liberals and give the party a chance of winning government at the next state election in March 2014.

Until the most recent leadership issues and last year's gaffe by Ms Redmond on her plans to cut public sector jobs, the opposition was in a clear election-winning position.

But in the most recent polls Labor has closed the gap, giving Premier Jay Weatherill a chance of retaining office.

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South Korean satellite 'working normally'

South Korean officials say a recently launched satellite is working normally and transmitting data. Source: AAP

A SOUTH Korean satellite is working normally and transmitting data on its orbit, officials say.

The launch on Wednesday marked an advance in the country's space program at a time of high tensions over archrival North Korea's recent threat to test a third nuclear device.

The South Korean rocket blasted off from a launch pad in the southwestern coastal village of Goheung.

Science officials told cheering spectators minutes later the rocket delivered an observational satellite into orbit.

The Science Ministry gave an update on its operations in a brief statement.

A crowd gathered around a TV at a train station in downtown Seoul to watch the afternoon launch.

"I'm proud we have entered the ranks of satellite powers," office worker Hyun Day-sun said.

The launch is a culmination of years of efforts by South Korea - Asia's fourth-largest economy - to advance its space program and cement its standing as a technology powerhouse whose semiconductors, smartphones and automobiles command global demand.

North Korea's long-range rocket program, in contrast, has generated international fears it is getting closer to developing nuclear missiles capable of striking the US.

South Korea's success comes amid increased tension on the Korean Peninsula over North Korea's threat to explode its third nuclear device.

Pyongyang is angry over tough new international sanctions over its December 12 rocket launch that also put a satellite into space, and it has accused its rivals of applying double standards toward the two Koreas' space programs.

Washington DC and Seoul have called North Korea's rocket launch a cover for a test of Pyongyang's banned ballistic missile technology.

North Korea recently acknowledged its long-range rockets have both scientific and military uses, and Kong Chang-duk, a professor of rocket science at South Korea's Chosun University, said the same argument could apply to the South.

Seoul may eventually be able "to build better missiles and scrutinise North Korea with a better satellite," Kong said.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US had observed the "successful" satellite launch.

She said there was no basis for comparing the South and the North's rocket programs.

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Punters defy election ban call

Anti-gambling MP Nick Xenophon has called for a ban on election betting. Source: AAP

THOUSANDS of Australian punters are racing to place bets on the Federal election following yesterday's surprise announcement.

Almost 3000 punters have made an online wager with Sportsbet following Prime Minister Julia Gillard's election announcement.

So far more than $350,000 has been wagered on the election with one high roller has already splashed out $50,000 in favour of the Coalition.

The figures come only days after Senator Nick Xenophon, together with fellow anti-gambling MP Andrew Wilkie, pushed for a ban on election betting in Australia and said he would introduce legislation when parliament resumed.

Mr Xenophon said election betting prompted acceptance of gambling.

"We're calling for a ban on election betting,'' he told AAP on Thursday.

"At the very least, the major parties should immediately say their party officials, candidates and those with insider knowledge, including pollsters, are not allowed to bet."

If that can't be achieved, Senator Xenophon said there should be a register of bets because the risk of insider trading was enormous.

Mr Wilkie said gambling on elections was improper and should be outlawed.

"I have been dismayed by the high visibility of betting odds in the election coverage so far this year," he said in a statement.

The Tasmanian independent said promotion of election betting in the news media "only serves to normalise gambling and generate free publicity for online bookmakers."

"The more visible gambling is and the more it becomes ingrained into popular and political culture, the more harm will be caused by problem gambling," Mr Wilkie said.

The MP said he was unimpressed by Sportsbet's full page advertisement which used images of Australia's political leaders.

"I think using images of our political leaders to promote a potentially harmful product shows remarkably poor judgment," Mr Wilkie said.

The parliamentarians want the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to monitor all large bets to ensure the integrity of the electoral system is maintained.

"Footballers are banned from betting on games they play ... and party insiders should face the same restrictions," Senator Xenophon said.

"The more visible gambling is and the more it becomes ingrained into popular and political culture, the more harm will be caused by problem gambling.

Sportsbet spokesman Hayden Lane said the Coalition were already a clear favourite paying at $1.30, while Labor's odds had surged to $3.30 since the announcement.

"Currently, the Coalition is favourite in 91 seats and the ALP in 54,'' Mr Lane said.

"Independent Andrew Wilkie and Katter's Australia Party founder Bob Katter are also favourites in their respective seats, while the Greens have no favourites and three electorates Capricornia (QLD), Hindmarsh (WA) and Werriwa (NSW) are too close to call.''

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Mali rebels may move to Libya: UN official

THE UN's special representative for Libya has warned the Security Council that France's military offensive in northern Mali may drive Islamic insurgents out and across the porous borders with Algeria and into Libya.

UN officials including peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous have said that the Islamist occupation of northern Mali was partly triggered by the downfall of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, as well-trained militiamen fled into Mali with looted heavy weapons, driving back the Malian army.

UN special representative for Libya Tarek Mitri told the Security Council that "the opposition of armed radical groups to the military intervention in Mali may exacerbate the situation (in Libya) given ideological and/or ethnic affiliations as well as porous borders in Libya".

Mitri said that he was also concerned about the continued detention of several thousand people as a result of the Libyan conflict.

He told reporters that some 7000 detainees are held in Libya, most of them in cells run by the anti-Gaddafi revolutionary brigades.

"There have been cases of torture in the past," but conditions are improving as more prisoners are transferred to state-controlled prisons.

"There are still a few cases of torture, but only a few," Mitri added.

Although about 20,000 revolutionary brigade members have joined the new Libyan army or police forces, about 200,000 armed men "are not ready to get absorbed" into the new Libyan institutions, adding to the instability, Mitri told reporters.

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Rottnest severed head accused fronts court

THE man charged with the murder of Stephen Cookson, whose severed head was found in a plastic bag on a beach on Rottnest Island, has made a brief appearance in a Perth court.

Aaron Carlino, 28, appeared at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court via video link, charged with the murder of Mr Cookson, 56, who died on December 15 last year.

State prosecutor Justin Whalley told the court the investigation was spread over several crime scenes and the case was subsequently adjourned until March.

Police have yet to find Mr Cookson's body, despite extensive searches of his East Perth apartment and properties in the Golden Bay area near Mandurah.

The discovery of his head on the holiday island by an 11-year-old girl in January made national headlines, with police making public appeals to help identify the man with a full beard and missing teeth.

It was soon identified as Mr Cookson, a racing identity with convictions for drug trafficking and violence.

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Elderly Sydney man critical after bashing

AN elderly remains in a critical condition in hospital after being bashed in his home in Sydney's southwest.

Police are appealing for any information from the public that could help find the offender after the 78-year-old man was assaulted at Moorebank about 12.05pm (AEDT) on Monday.

The man and his wife returned home to find an unknown man in their home, police said.

The woman left the room and when she returned she found her husband injured on the floor.

He was taken to a local hospital where he remained in critical condition on Tuesday.

Superintendent Ray King said the man's attacker was aged in his fifties, was thin and was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

"He was seen running towards Nuwarra Road and he would have stood out because it was raining heavily at the time and he wasn't carrying an umbrella," Supt King said.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Liverpool Police or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

AAP svm/l

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Obeid coal property not a weekender: ICAC

Former Labor minister Eddie Obeid was rarely seen on his property in the coal-rich Bylong Valley. Source: AAP

FORMER Labor minister Eddie Obeid only visited a property his family owned in a coal-rich part of NSW three or four times in two years despite it supposedly being a weekender, an inquiry has heard.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is probing whether former Labor minister Ian Macdonald rigged a 2008 tender process for coal exploration licences in the Bylong Valley, and if Eddie Obeid benefited from it.

It has been alleged the Obeids made millions of dollars from the allegedly tainted coal deal.

The ICAC has previously heard evidence that Bylong land in which the Obeids had a stake was to be used for leisure purposes.

But in evidence on Tuesday, Barry Gregory, who used to manage the Obeid's property Cherrydale Park, said in the two years he worked there he only saw Eddie Obeid a handful of times.

"How often would old Eddie be there," counsel assisting the commissioner, Geoffrey Watson SC, asked.

"I only saw old Eddie there three or four times," Mr Gregory replied.

He said Mr Obeid stayed on the property for "a couple of days" at a time.

He agreed with counsel's suggestion that the property wasn't a "weekender" for the Obeids.

"It wasn't a weekender was it, in the sense that there was always an Obeid family member there on the weekends," Mr Watson asked.

"Not every weekend no," Mr Gregory replied.

He also told the inquiry he had asked the Obeids for new farming equipment, including a tractor, but it had never been provided.

The inquiry continues before Commissioner David Ipp.

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Nhulunbuy residents plan Rio Tinto rally

PEOPLE in the remote Northern Territory town of Nhulunbuy are planning a rally on Wednesday to show resources giant Rio Tinto Ltd, that "they matter".

With Rio's self-imposed deadline of January 31 for a report on the viability of their Gove alumina operations, people in the satellite town of Nhulunbuy say they are being forgotten.

Dave Suter from the Nhulunbuy Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the rally was to send a message to Rio Tinto's head office in London that people relied on the refinery staying open.

"We are bitter and twisted over here, that is for sure," Mr Suter said.

About 3500 live in Nhulunbuy, with most relying economically on the huge alumina refinery and bauxite mine run by Rio Tinto subsidiary Pacific Aluminium.

But the high Australian dollar, low alumina prices and the plant's reliance on expensive diesel fiel have meant the refinery is losing an estimated $US30 million per month.

Pacific Aluminium has hinted that the plant could stay open if the NT government found a way to ship natural gas to Gove to replace the need for diesel.

But supplying enough gas to power the huge alumina operation could leave the NT without enough gas for domestic use.

Government efforts to cut a deal with the company or delay a decision by the miner have not succeeded.

Analysts last week predicted grim news for the people of Nhulunbuy, with several saying Rio Tinto was likely to decide to mothball the Gove refinery.

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Protesters heckle Barnett over gas hub

The WA Premier (C) has promised protesters a public forum over the James Price Point gas hub. Source: AAP

WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett has promised rowdy protesters a public forum on the controversial James Price Point gas hub.

He made the pledge after being heckled by about 120 protesters when he paid a pre-election visit to Broome on Sunday.

Woodside Petroleum's proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub, north of Broome, has divided the community.

The premier answered questions from the crowd, made up mostly of families, holding signs that read "Barnett bullying Broome", "We love Broome the way it is", "Let it go Barnett. History will love you" and "No gas at JPP".

Mr Barnett promised the group he would hold a public question and answer session with locals to address their concerns, but did not say when.

Broome Community No Gas Campaign spokesman Nik Wevers said campaigners were angry their fears about the future of community life in Broome had been ignored.

"We are being bullied into submission by the Barnett government to accept this project," she said.

"It will destroy our community, our culture and our country, and we are not prepared to lie down and take it.

"No decision on approval for the project should be made until the issue of social impacts has been addressed to the satisfaction of the Broome community."

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Choppers on way to flood-hit Bundaberg

TWO defence force helicopters have been mobilised as the central Queensland city of Bundaberg faces a very serious flood crisis, Premier Campbell Newman says.

Mr Newman said the city was facing a flood that would be worse than the devastation floodwaters brought to the city in 2010/11.

He said 300 homes and 100 businesses were expected to be inundated in Bundaberg.

He said the low pressure system resulting from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald had left a trail of destruction across the state.

The southwest corner would begin to feel the worst effects of that system this afternoon, Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman said he would make an announcement on Monday about the resumption of the school year, which had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

He said the situation in Bundaberg was very serious, with evacuations underway in the city's north and east.

He said the communities of Gin Gin and Childers, west of Bundaberg, were now isolated.

Mr Newman said Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Gail Sellers and her team have borne the brunt of the wild weather over the last 24 to 36 hours.

Twenty houses had been inundated at Tannum Sands and 20 more at Benaraby.

A number of evacuation centres have been set up in the city, he said.

Mr Newman said "dramatic" levels of water, more than eight metres above the dam wall, were being experienced at Awoonga dam.

A saddle dam has been overtopped and is eroding but Mr Newman said the structure is steady.

"The dam at this stage is all holding up well," he told reporters.

The premier said Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Local Government Minister David Crisafulli are heading to Gladstone shortly to see the damage first hand and provide support.

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Elderly man's body found in flood zone

QUEENSLAND has recorded its first flood death - an elderly man whose body was pulled from the water at Burnett Heads, northeast of Bundaberg.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the death was connected to the flooding, but with next of kin yet to be advised he would not reveal further details.

Authorities also hold grave fears for two other people.

One is a woman who was last seen driving into floodwaters near the Traveston Dam on Saturday.

Swift water rescue teams are searching for her.

The other is a man who was swept away when he and two companions drove into flood waters at Widgee Creek near Gympie.

He remains missing. A man and a woman he was with were rescued early on Sunday.

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