LNP launches Griffith campaign

LNP candidate Bill Glasson has asked voters in ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd's Brisbane seat to not judge him based on the prime minister and Queensland's premier.

Instead, he wants them to judge him on own achievements.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott launched Dr Glasson's campaign for the seat of Griffith, vacated by Mr Rudd, on Saturday in lead up to the February 8 by-election.

An ophthalmologist and former president of the Australian Medical Association, he refused to say whether Mr Abbott or Premier Campbell Newman, who also joined the launch, would affect his changes of winning.

"This is not about the prime minister, it's not about (Labor leader) Bill Shorten, it's not about the premier, it's about Bill Glasson and his Labor counterpart," he told reporters.

"I want the people of Griffith to judge us; hold us up, Bill Glasson in one hand and the labor opponent in the other, and say who would you want to represent you for the next three years in federal parliament?"

He said his vast experience as a doctor, a small business owner and medical volunteer worker overseas and across Australia made him the better choice.

"In terms of life experience and in terms of leading major organisations over the past 20 years or so I think I come out in front," he said.

Mr Abbott said Dr Glasson was not an ambitious career politician.

"He's not going into the parliament to promote his career or to build his ego," he told the party faithful during the launch.

Dr Glasson did manage to effect a 5.5 per cent swing against the former prime minister at the general federal poll last year.

He said his priorities include addressing the cost of living, creating more jobs, child-care costs, more infrastructure and building safer communities.

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Obama asks CEOs for help hiring jobless

US President Barack Obama is asking major corporations to help give the long-term unemployed a job. Source: AAP

US President Barack Obama is asking major corporations for their help in putting the long-term unemployed back to work.

CEOs from companies like Apple, Walmart, Visa and Boeing are heading to the White House on Friday to deliver commitments to do their part.

More than 300 companies have signed on so far, the White House said.

Although the unemployment rate has declined to 6.7 per cent, long-term joblessness in the US remains a major problem.

The concern is that the longer someone is out of a job, the harder it gets to find a new one.

Companies are less likely to hire people who haven't used their skills in months or wonder why another employer hasn't already snatched them up.

With that concern in mind, the Obama administration has been working for months to exact commitments from companies to ensure their hiring practices don't discriminate against long-term job-seekers.

That includes doing away with candidate-screening methods that disqualify applicants based on their current employment status.

It also means ensuring that jobs ads don't discourage unemployed workers from applying.

The White House couldn't say how many unemployed Americans might benefit from the initiative but expected the effects to snowball.

"We consider this not the destination, but the launch," said Gene Sperling, who heads the White House's National Economic Council.

"Our hope is that as people see the meeting with the president, the pledge, that more will come work with us."

Among the companies taking part: Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and 21st Century Fox.

Sperling said he emailed the conservative business mogul about the initiative, and Murdoch personally wrote back to say he supported it.

Obama also plans to sign a presidential memo on Friday directing the federal government to apply the same standards to its own hiring practices.

And the Obama administration will direct $US150 million ($A171 million) in grants toward partnership programs that retrain, mentor and place unemployed workers.

The initiative marks the latest attempt by Obama to use what executive authority he has to improve economic conditions for Americans despite a political climate that makes enacting his legislative agenda nearly impossible.

In the past, Obama has supported legislation in Congress that would make it illegal for employers to discriminate based on one's employment status or history.

"In terms of legislation. Let's face it: That's not going to happen," Sperling said.

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End car subsidies: Productivity Commission

THE Productivity Commission believes the automotive sector should not receive any further taxpayer assistance beyond 2020.

In a report commissioned by the federal coalition government, the commission described as "weak" the arguments for more financial assistance.

It said the community would be better off with subsidies ending.

"Our draft proposal is that there should be no further industry specific funding beyond 2020," the commission's deputy chairman Mike Woods said in a statement on Friday.

The commission opposes a supplementary rescue package for Toyota and component manufacturers.

Instead governments could better assist by undertaking broad-based economic and regulatory reforms and removing impediments to greater workplace flexibility.

However, Mr Woods said any "significant or uneven" reduction of subsidy funding in the next few years, as outlined in December's mid-year budget review, could elevate risks of earlier closures by Ford and Holden.

It might also negatively impact on investment decisions by Toyota and its component suppliers, Mr Woods said.

The government had asked the commission for the review in October, shortly after the coalition came to power.

The request came at a time when Ford had decided to end car manufacturing in Australia in 2016 and before a decision by GM Holden to cease local manufacturing by 2017.

Toyota is expected to make a decision about its future in Australia within months as it seeks changes to an enterprise bargaining agreement with its workers.

The commission is taking submissions to its interim report by February 13.

Public hearings will be held in late February and a final report submitted to the government by March 31.

The commission is specifically seeking views on the best ways to assist employees and their communities adjust to the industry changes.

It also wants to know whether employees of some component firms that might close face more difficult circumstances than employees of Ford and Holden, and whether the benefits of early budget savings could result in even greater adjustment costs to the industry.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the commission's report has been tailored to support the government's policy.

"We are dismayed ... but we are not surprised," national secretary David Smith said in a statement.

The report and decisions taken by the government would likely force Toyota's hand to end manufacturing in Australia, he said.

"This government forced Holden out of Australia. Now it seems intent on destroying of what's left of the Australian car manufacturing industry," he said.

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Reef dumping allowed by park authority

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has approved the dumping of dredge spoil in the park. Source: AAP

THE Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has approved the dumping of up to three million tonnes of dredge spoil inside the park's boundary.

The decision, related to the Abbot Point coal port expansion, was announced on Friday in Townsville.

Authority chairman Dr Russell Reichelt said there'd been strong community concern and debate about the application by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation to dispose of dredge spoil in the park.

But he said allowing the project to proceed would help contain development to existing ports, and the reef itself and seagrass meadows would still be protected.

"It's important to note the sea floor of the approved disposal area consists of sand, silt and clay and does not contain coral reefs or seagrass beds," Dr Reichelt said in a statement.

The authority's general manager for biodiversity, conservation and sustainable use, Bruce Elliot, said strict environmental conditions imposed on the project by the federal government would help protect the reef.

"The federal environment minister, as part of his approval conditions for this development, has required North Queensland Bulk Ports to identify alternate disposal sites within an identified investigation zone," Mr Elliot said.

"We would support the use of an alternative site if it is found to be equal to or better in terms of environmental or heritage outcomes."

The approved disposal site is located approximately 25km east-north-east of the port, while the investigation zone being assessed for alternative locations is located 20 to 30km from the area being dredged.

The dredge spoils bound for the ocean will be tested before they are dumped to ensure they are safe.

GBRMPA says previous testing has already shown there are no identified contaminants in the sediments to be dredged and dumped from Abbot Point.

But the Australian Marine Conservation Society's Felicity Wishart said anyone saying the decision would benefit the reef was a laughing stock and it was well known that fine sediment in dredge spoil could travel up to 80km.

"There may not be coral reefs immediately where the dumping occurs, but there's certainly going to be coral reefs within 80km and they're certainly going to be at risk from this," she told AAP.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council boss Daniel Gschwind said the situation reminded him of Gladstone Harbour, where a leak in a bund wall holding dredge spoil caused dangerous chemicals to leach into the harbour, affecting marine life in the area.

"The federal government is holding an inquiry into what happened in Gladstone and the bad decisions that were made," he said.

"But now here we are making another decision that is putting at risk the most valuable environmental asset that we have in this country."

But Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the Abbot Point project was subject to the "highest and strictest environmental" conditions in Australian history.

North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) spokeswoman Mary Steele welcomed the approval and said it would abide by the strict environment conditions.

"It confirms offshore disposal in this case provides the best social and environmental outcomes," she said.

"The granting of the permit acknowledges development can coexist alongside sensitive environments if it's well managed and we will ensure it is well managed."

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Greens urge PM to keep ABC Asian service

GREENS leader Christine Milne says it would be a very bad mistake if the federal government abandoned the ABC's Australia Network Asian broadcasting service.

Cabinet has reportedly discussed ending the broadcaster's contract to provide Australian news and entertainment to the region.

Senator Milne said the service does an outstanding job and was one of the ways Australia engaged with the region.

"It would be a very bad mistake if Tony Abbott was now to assault not only the ABC and bring in efficiency dividends for the government at the expense of the ABC, but also abandon that service," she told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.

The network provides television services to the Asia-Pacific, but is also used as a vehicle for soft diplomacy.

Senator Milne said it was not the role of the media to engage in propaganda for Australia.

"If the Abbott government is concerned that stories are negative about Australia in the Asian context, perhaps they ought to look at the policies they are promoting, in particular the policies that they engage in with regard to people seeking asylum in our country and human rights issues," she said.

Senator Milne said it was clear Prime Minister Tony Abbott had always had it in for the ABC, despite an election promise not to touch the broadcaster.

"It's pretty clear that Tony Abbott is now out after the ABC," she said.

On Wednesday Mr Abbott accused the ABC of acting against Australia's interests.

Senator Milne said the ABC must be allowed to "freely, fairly and fearlessly report the news".

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More sweltering weather for SA

SOUTH Australians, including those attending Friday's Big Day Out in Adelaide, have been warned to take care during the state's second heatwave this year.

"The reality for South Australians is that we are in day three of what is likely to be a very protracted period of very hot weather," State Emergency Services (SES) chief officer Chris Beattie said on Thursday.

"Daily maximums and overnight minimums have been forecast to escalate from today throughout the weekend.

"Although there is a slight cool forecast for Monday, all indications are that the extreme heat will then continue next week."

The SES has issued an indefinite extreme heat warning for the state and has extra crews on alert throughout the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology revised its forecasts for Adelaide to allow for cooling to about 30C on Monday, but the city is facing at least five days during next week with temperatures above 40C.

The city sweltered through a heatwave earlier in January when the mercury was higher than 40C for five consecutive days.

The SES has advised people to take appropriate precautions including drinking plenty of fluids, staying indoors and never leaving children or pets unattended in cars.

About 25,000 people are expected to attend the Big Day Out at Bonython Park on Friday.

Superintendent Chris Baulderstone said police would be watching out for drug use and antisocial behaviour, and warned that people's safety remained in their own hands.

"It's going to be very hot, so we remind those attending to stay hydrated," he said.

"On a 40-degree day, water is your best option. Alcohol and extreme heat aren't a good mix."

Steve Cameron from SA Ambulance Service advised attendees to not only take care of themselves, but to take care of their mates and get help immediately at the first sign of difficulty.

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Forge shares down on earnings downgrade

SHARES in Forge Group have dropped another eight per cent following more bad news from the engineering company, which now says it expects to post a full-year loss of up to $25 million.

Having flagged full year earnings of between $45 million and $50 million in December, Forge now says it expects to post a loss of between $20 million and $25 million for the 2013/14 financial year.

Forge shares were released from a two-session trading halt following the release of the revised earnings outlook and quickly slumped as much as 16 per cent.

By 1525 AEDT, they had recovered somewhat, to be 7.25 cents lower, at 82.75 cents.

The earnings downgrade is the latest in a string of negative announcements from the company, starting in December when it took writedowns of $127 million associated with its Diamantina Power Station and West Angelas Power Station projects.

That announcement saw the share price dive 84 per cent in one day.

Forge spooked investors again in mid January with a further writedown of up to $28 million on the West Angelas project, which sparked another 22 per cent slide in the share price.

On Wednesday, Forge said the latest writedown was partly the result of lower profit margins as the company focuses on generating cash flow to allow it to complete some major projects.

Chief executive David Simpson also said the company was working to close out its power station projects before the start of the next financial year, which meant Forge had focused less on booking new projects.

"The management team is very focused on completing the Diamantina Power Station and West Angelas Power Station projects as quickly as possible so the company is better positioned for a stronger performance in FY2015," he said.

Forge also flagged a possible capital raising and said it had appointed Euroz Securities as corporate advisors to manage approaches to the company from third parties.

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Drillsearch production estimates soar

OIL and gas explorer Drillsearch Energy has increased its 2014 production guidance by around a million barrels.

In a forecast representing a new record for Drillsearch, the company said it would produce between three million and 3.3 million barrels in the fiscal year.

The new figures compare to previous guidance of 2.3 million to 2.5 million barrels in the year.

It is around triple the barrels produced in FY2013, the company's previous record.

The big increase in production will also increase cashflows which Drillsearch will use to strengthen its balance sheet and fund exploration and development.

Drillsearch's increased production is being driven by the better-than-anticipated performance of its operations in Queensland's Cooper Basin, in particular the Bauer field.

The company plans to drill about 20 wells in the second half of FY2014.

In a statement on Wednesday, Drillsearch managing director Brad Lingo described the Bauer field as a prolific performer.

"The revenue generated by our oil business continues to strengthen our cash position, as well as to underpin our broader exploration and development programs, as we pursue our strategy of increasing reserves, production and cash flow," he said.

At 1537 AEDT, Drillsearch shares were 8.5 cents, or 5.94 per cent, higher at $1.515.

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Salvos abuse evidence will shock: inquiry

Evidence about abuse at Salvation Army homes is some of the worst heard at the royal commission. Source: AAP

CHILDREN at a Salvation Army home in Queensland were fed food donated for animals, savagely beaten, sexually abused and locked in a cage, an inquiry has been told.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which is examining four homes run by the Salvos in NSW and Queensland from 1966-77, has been told that evidence to be given of corporal punishment and sexual abuse at the homes were some of the most disturbing the commission had heard.

It is at the "severe end of abuse" examined by the commission, the opening of a two-week hearing in Sydney heard on Tuesday.

Simeon Beckett, counsel assisting the commission, said the hearing would hear many allegations about five identified officers, "Laurence Wilson, Russell Walker, Victor Bennett, John McIver and Donald Schultz".

Mr Walker, Mr Schultz and Mr McIver are still alive and have been given notice of the hearing.

He said the evidence against Mr Wilson, who died in 2008, would shock.

Mr Beckett said the commission would be examining the response of the Salvation Army to child sexual abuse within two Queensland homes for boys, Alkira at Indooroopilly and the Endeavour training farm at Riverview, as well as Bexley Boys Home in Sydney and the Gill Memorial Home in Goulburn, NSW.

Outlining the evidence that would be presented, Mr Beckett said 13 people would give evidence of severe and disturbing abuse at all the homes.

At the Endeavour farm, one witness would tell how he was made to sort fruit and vegetables given to the farm to feed the animals, picking out what could be given to the boys.

If he made a wrong choice, he was flogged.

"Other forms of punishment included sweeping the playground with a toothbrush, cleaning 50 pairs of shoes ... and on one occasion forcing a boy to eat his own vomit."

Boys were also locked in a cage on the home's verandah for up to two weeks as punishment. Children were raped and beaten. Mr Bennett was said to beat boys until they bled.

Mr Beckett also said there had been an inquiry in Queensland in 1999 and a senate inquiry into the Salvation Army homes.

"In 1976, a childcare officer expressed extreme concern at what was happening and reported 'the normal behaviours for Alkira is absconding, truancy and stealing. How desperate do children have to become?'," Mr Beckett said.

He added that evidence would show that the Salvation Army moved personnel around.

The hearing continues.

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NSW govt finalises CSG safeguards

THE NSW government's announcement of finalised safeguards to protect homes and high quality farmland from coal seam gas projects has upset groups on both sides of the CSG debate.

NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said on Tuesday the finalised reforms struck the right balance for communities and industry and were the strictest regulations around CSG projects in Australia.

CSG exclusion zones were in force for an estimated 95 per cent of dwellings covered by current petroleum licences and tough regulations were in place for NSW's most valuable agricultural land, he said.

"Today marks a significant milestone in this government's commitment to balance the energy needs of the state and the need to support our vital agricultural industry," he said in a statement.

CSG exclusion zones now applied to 2.7 million hectares in NSW, Mr Stoner added.

In addition, about 2.8 million hectares of valuable farming land was safeguarded by ensuring the impacts on land and water or resource proposals were considered upfront through the independent scientific Gateway process, he said.

Protection of "critical industry clusters" includes 60,000 hectares of vineyards and horse studs in the Upper Hunter region.

But the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) said the government had further dented the credibility of its pursuit of science-based energy policy with its announced restrictions.

"The NSW government has dreamt up yet another layer of arbitrary and politically-driven regulations for an industry the state desperately needs," APPEA Chief Operating Officer Eastern Region Paul Fennelly said in a statement.

"Despite knowing that NSW imports 95 per cent of its gas supply and that a failure to develop local supplies will lead to higher energy prices, the state government has again turned its back on both the science and the industry's proven track record."

"It is not surprising to see NSW's reputation as a place to do business slipping," Mr Fennelly said.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW, meanwhile, said the safeguards were a "common sense" victory for those concerned about CSG projects in urban areas but "key water resources and sensitive environmental areas" remained at risk.

"Drinking water catchments are still not protected, neither are important natural assets like the Pilliga Forest, which is set to be carved up and polluted by gas development," campaigns director Kate Smolski said in a statement.

The NSW Greens called on the government to increase the amount of land protected from coal seam gas mining.

"Only 3.37 per cent of NSW's land area is protected from fracking for coal seam gas, and only 0.4 per cent of land is classified as a critical industry cluster," Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said in a statement.

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Treasurer sets fed debt limit at $500bn

TREASURER Joe Hockey has given a directive to set Australia's debt limit at $500 billion, despite parliament voting to abolish the ceiling altogether.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said it was a classic example of the coalition saying one thing before the election and delivering the opposite after.

Mr Hockey's directive relating to government borrowing was officially gazetted on January 22.

"I direct that the maximum total face value of stock and securities that may be on issue is $500 billion," Mr Hockey states.

The directive expires on April 1, 2024.

A spokesman for Mr Hockey said it was in line with the legislation passed in December to abolish Labor's $300 billion debt ceiling and "satisfied funding and operation requirements".

The abolition of the debt limit was the result of a compromise with the Australian Greens, after Mr Hockey's initial attempt to legislate the $500 billion ceiling failed.

Mr Bowen told AAP on Monday the decision followed the extraordinary deal between the Liberals and the Greens to deliver the Greens' policy of no debt limit.

"Before the election Joe Hockey was against debt, now he can't get enough of it," Mr Bowen said.

"The Hockey-Milne deal on no debt limit has ensured the economic fringe dwellers are at the centre of economic policy and decision-making in this country.

"It doesn't matter what regulation Joe Hockey signs, this deal ensures he can run up unlimited government debt."

The mid-year economic review released last year forecast debt to rise from $310 billion in 2013/14 to $460 billion by 2016/17, and $667 billion by 2023/24 if the budget is not brought under control.

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Vic man's beating death in home rampage

A group of 10 men smashed up a house and car in Victoria before leaving a man dying in his home. Source: AAP

AN armed gang of youths stormed a Melbourne home in an Australia Day suburban rampage, beating to death a 20-year-old man and injuring two others.

Police say the group of 10 men were armed with long weapons - possibly bats, poles or machetes - as they smashed a car, trashed the home and killed the man in a matter of minutes.

The armed men then slowly walked away from the Deer Park property, shouting racist abuse as they disappeared into nearby parkland, a neighbour recalled.

"They didn't seem to be in much of a hurry at all," said the 50-year-old neighbour, who didn't want his name published.

Two others from the western suburbs home are recovering in hospital with leg and hand injuries.

Police say the attack is not random or racially motivated, though it's believed everyone knew each other prior to the incident.

Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Tremain said there's no record of previous problems at the address.

"It was almost a case of running into the property, inflicting as much damage and injury as possible, and then running out," he said.

"We are very confident that we will get on top of this."

A next-door neighbour said a half-dozen people were having an Australia Day BBQ on the front lawn of the property on Sunday before the group of armed youths arrived around 10pm (AEDT).

The group, aged in their late teens to early 20s, smashed the tail lights, side mirrors and windows on a yellow ute parked in the front driveway before pushing their way into the Billingham Road home.

A woman was heard screaming, "Call the cops" and, "Don't leave me" as the 20-year-old man was beaten by the gang.

Neighbour Helen Thwaites heard the woman's cries for hours after the young man had died.

"It was heart-wrenching to hear," she said.

"How tragic. Why? What a waste."

It's believed the man, from nearby Diggers Rest, had been recently staying at the home. He was friends with the person who lived there with his girlfriend.

Neighbour Raziye Tahir said many residents are scared about what happened.

"It's really shook us. We couldn't sleep at all last night," she said.

"I hope they catch whoever has done this."

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Man shot dead in Sydney's southwest

A young man has died on a footpath in Sydney's southwest after being shot. Source: AAP

A YOUNG man has died on a footpath outside an apartment block in Sydney's southwest after being shot.

Police and ambulance paramedics responded to reports of a shooting at Equity Place in Canley Vale at about 2.45am (AEDT) on Sunday to find a man aged in his 20s on a footpath suffering gunshot wounds.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the man died at the scene.

Police say the man was known to them and the shooting was not believed to be random.

Riot squad officers were called to the scene in the early hours of Sunday after a group of young men who knew the victim clashed with police in heated exchanges.

One man shouted he wanted to see his brother before being restrained and pulled away by a friend.

A distraught young woman, believed to the girlfriend of the deceased, was also at the scene early on Sunday.

Police cordoned off the street and erected an awning as forensic officers examined the scene and local residents were questioned.

Jennifer Nguyen, 33, who lives at the apartment block where the man died, told AAP she heard nothing overnight but thought there might have been a party on Saturday night.

"I woke up about 4am when police knocked on my door," Ms Nguyen said.

"Oh my God, I was shocked."

Ms Nguyen said the street was normally very quiet.

Meanwhile, police are investigating an incident at Hinchinbrook, also in Sydney's southwest, after a man driving a car escaped injury when the rear passenger windows sustained suspected gunshot damage.

"A 32-year-old man, who had been driving the car at the time of the incident, was not injured," police said.

Police were called to the incident at South Liverpool Road at about 2.25am on Sunday and have seized a black Holden Barina for forensic examination.

A police spokeswoman said it was not known at this stage if the two shootings are linked.

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Record number of new Australians

A record 17,863 people will become citizens as part of Australia Day celebrations. Source: AAP

MORE people than ever will become Australian citizens in ceremonies across the nation on Sunday.

The federal government says a record 17,863 people will become citizens as part of Australia Day celebrations.

They will pledge their allegiance to the nation at some 400 ceremonies to be staged across Australia as it marks 65 years since the first citizenship ceremony was held.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison congratulated the nation's newest Aussies on the 65th anniversary of Australian citizenship.

"The 65th anniversary of Australian citizenship is an opportunity for all of us - whether Australian by birth or choice - to pause and reflect on the privileges and responsibilities which come with being an Australian citizen," he said in a statement.

Mr Morrison will preside over a ceremony in Sydney on Sunday to welcome 30 new citizens.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Abbott will confer citizenship on 24 people at the national flag-raising and citizenship ceremony in Canberra.

Victoria will welcome the most new Australians of any state, with 4500 people to gain citizenship.

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