SA teen charged over stabbings, assault

A teenager stabbed two men and struck a third in the head in an altercation in Adelaide, police say. Source: AAP

A TEENAGER stabbed two men and struck a third in the head in an altercation in Adelaide, police say.

A large disturbance broke out in Daw Park on Friday night in which three men were assaulted, police say.

Two men were stabbed, suffering minor lacerations, and were taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

A third man suffered a blow to the head but needed no medical treatment.

A 17-year-old youth was arrested soon after.

He was charged with aggravated assault causing harm, affray and resisting police.

Police allege the parties were known to each other.

The youth was refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

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Aussie flights hinge on further eruptions

A massive ash cloud from an Indonesian volcano may disrupt aviation in parts of Australia. Source: AAP

THE resumption of flights across northern Australia depends on whether further volcanic eruptions in Indonesia amplify an already huge intercontinental plume of ash, an expert says.

Sangeang Api, a volcano off the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, has erupted three times since Friday afternoon.

The volcano is about 300km east of the eastern tip of Java and about 1200km west-northwest of Darwin.

Flights to and from Darwin International Airport were cancelled on Saturday as the ash cloud spread across the Top End and towards Alice Springs.

The manager of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre at the Bureau of Meteorology in Darwin, Emile Jansons, said the cloud was dispersing as it spread south but the situation could change at any time.

He said there was a "pretty clear" stream of ash from the volcano across the Timor Sea, flowing west of Darwin and southeast to Alice Springs.

"If there is a big eruption in the next six to 12 hours, longer effect is more likely across Australia," he told AAP on Saturday afternoon.

Strong winds within a narrow jet stream had carried the ash at up to 150km/h towards central Australia but the ash was dissipating, he said.

"We're not expecting places like Brisbane or Sydney to be affected at this stage.

"The ash that is west of Darwin will affect Darwin for the next 18 hours, so it looks likely to hang around for a day or so.

"Regional aviation to places like Kununurra and even Derby (in Western Australia) may be affected but in terms of larger international airports only Darwin is affected."

The jet stream will move east over the 24 hours, changing wind direction and helping to further dissipate the ash, unless another large eruption spews more into the air.

The ash near Darwin is in a band between 10km and 15km in the air - the cruising altitude for commercial jet aircraft.

Virginia Sanders, a spokeswoman for Northern Territory Airports, said the Darwin terminal was quiet now.

Some travellers had arrived for flights not knowing services had been cancelled, she said.

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Milne slams ABC, SBS funding 'attack'

GREENS leader Christine Milne has slammed what she says is a federal government attack on the ABC and SBS.

A leaked draft report recommends SBS merge some operations with the ABC to cuts costs.

SBS should also be able to raise more revenue through advertising, the draft efficiency report commissioned by Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull says.

Senator Milne says her party will defend both networks against budget cuts.

"(SBS) enhances multiculturalism," she told reporters in Hobart.

"It's actually unique in the world."

Senator Milne accused the government of kowtowing to the Murdoch media empire by making budget cuts to the ABC.

"Getting rid of the Australia Network is something Rupert Murdoch and the Institute of Public Affairs want to do," the Greens leader said.

"But it's not something Australians want to do.

"Australians love the ABC."

One per cent of funding will be cut from each network over four years.

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Vic mine fire health program 'a success'

THE monitoring of firefighters battling a blaze at a Victorian coal mine was the largest health assessment at a fire in the world, and it has been declared a success by the state's fire chief.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said 7000 people were assessed during the 45-day fire at the Hazelwood mine and a project of this scale had not occurred anywhere else in the world.

Both CFA firefighters and workers employed by mine operator GDF Suez were hospitalised as a result of the fire.

An inquiry into the fire heard 23 WorkCover claims were lodged as a result of the blaze that started on February 9, meaning less than 0.003 per cent of assessments resulted in a claim.

"I'd say (it was) a very successful operation," Mr Lapsley told the inquiry on Friday.

However, he admitted the CFA should have been better prepared for what was a known risk at mine fires.

A report from a 2006 mine fire said carbon monoxide poisoning was a threat to firefighters and mine workers, yet a CFA plan for improving responses to carbon monoxide risks was never signed-off.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Peter Rozen said it seemed perplexing that a draft CFA operating procedure for dealing with mine fire health issues, dated April 2010, remained a draft for four years before the February 2014 blaze.

"The CFA was firmly on notice about this risk and the importance of having in place adequate protections for firefighters in the event of any future fire," Mr Rozen said.

"On a matter as significant as exposure of its employees to potential carbon monoxide poisoning in doing their job, it's not good enough is it, Mr Lapsley, that this was not a priority for the CFA for four years to implement an (standard operating procedure)."

Mr Lapsley said he accepted that.

"It has been debated within CFA whether it is sufficient to do the job... It is my observation that it should have been signed at an earlier date and published," Mr Lapsley said.

The mine fire shrouded Morwell in smoke and ash, forcing some residents to evacuate.

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Qld cracks down on Uber taxi service

QUEENSLAND has followed in NSW's footsteps by banning start-up taxi company Uber.

The government issued a cease-and-desist notice last week to the web-based driver hire company, which allows non-taxi drivers to offer a taxi service.

Uber's ride-sharing service, which started in Brisbane last month, is limited to licensed drivers aged at least 24 whose vehicle has at least four doors and was made after 2005.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson says the company needs to meet existing taxi service laws, such as driver accreditation and vehicle standards.

"The department is working with Uber to outline what safety regulations it needs to meet in order to operate in Queensland, including driver authorisation, which includes detailed criminal history checks, vehicle standards and taxi licences," he said.

Premier Campbell Newman expressed concern that the service might not be as safe as traditional taxis, and said he wouldn't want his daughters to use it.

"I do have some concerns over the whole thing," the premier said.

"I've got daughters, 19 and 21, I would prefer them catching a cab because I know about all the safeguards, cameras, trained drivers, GPs locations of cabs real-time.

"Yes, [Uber] has safeguards in there as well, but I'd prefer to use a ridgy-didge cab."

Mr Newman had earlier said the government didn't believe in red tape and regulation unless it was absolutely necessary, but later updated his advice following advice from Mr Emerson's office.

Taxi Council Queensland CEO Benjamin Wash said it was only fair Uber complied with existing regulation.

"Companies that do not meet regulatory requirements jeopardise the industry's reputation, put lives at risk and hurt small business people who have invested heavily in meeting the regulations," he said.

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MP shows off home state art

A MYSTERIOUS face stares across Teresa Gambaro's parliamentary office, looming out of a canvas covered in crosshatches.

The character, drawn by Vernon Ah Kee, will greet visitors to the Liberal MP's digs in Parliament House until September as part of her "shamelessly parochial" bid to promote Queensland artists.

Tired of seeing the same artworks from the official collection, Ms Gambaro approached the Institute of Modern Art in her Brisbane electorate.

The result is Officework in Canberra, an exhibition that showcases modern and emerging artists with works changing about every four months.

As the chairwoman of the foreign affairs committee, Ms Gambaro often hosts national and international visitors, who will now get a taste of Queensland's artistic offerings.

The first six works on show have already been a big talking point, her spokesman told AAP.

Ms Gambaro hopes to inspire other politicians to host similar office art exhibitions.

Officework in Canberra will officially open in mid-July.

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Growth expectations hit 3-year low

EXPECTATIONS for Australia's economic growth have slumped to a three-year low, weighed down by a tumble in consumer confidence following the federal budget.

The Westpac/Melbourne Institute Leading Index fell sharply in May, pointing to a significant loss of momentum in economic growth.

Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan said it was concerning that all components of the index - including measures of consumer confidence, employment, commodity prices, and US industrial production - contributed to the fall.

"The fact that the slowdown is corroborated across all components is a strong indication that a genuine slowdown is underway," Mr Hassan said.

The index, which indicates the likely pace of economic activity three to nine months into the future, fell to -1.16 per cent in April from 0.03 per cent in March.

It was the weakest reading since late 2011, when the Reserve Bank of Australia began cutting rates, consumer confidence had slumped heavily and Europe's sovereign debt crisis was in full swing.

Mr Hassan said the decline was linked to a sharp fall in consumer confidence after the federal budget, which outlined a raft of tough spending cuts.

A drop in commodity prices, such as iron ore, and slowing growth in US industrial production also took a toll.

Some of the factors dragging the index down could be temporary, Mr Hassan said.

"The post-budget fall in consumer sentiment may be something that reverses and US industrial production was probably affected by weather conditions earlier this year," Mr Hassan said.

"But even allowing for those, the fact that we are getting the same consistent signal across the components does suggest there is an underlying slowing in momentum happening."

The slowdown was occurring against a backdrop of weaker global growth in 2014, he said.

Falling commodity prices reflected weaker demand from China, while the tough budget and a cooling of the housing market were also having an impact.

The sharp loss of momentum in the index would encourage the RBA to maintain its 'on hold' stance on interest rates, Mr Hassan said.

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NSW hikers survived huddled under a rock

A SYDNEY couple in their 60s has survived a freezing night in the Snowy Mountains by huddling together under a large rock.

With the weather deteriorating, police had grave fears for the 62-year-old woman and 65-year-old man, who left Thredbo village on Tuesday morning to go bushwalking.

The woman called triple zero just before 3pm on Tuesday, saying they were lost.

Although overnight temperatures at the mountaintop plunged to -16C, the pair walked back to Thredbo village and arrived just before 9am on Wednesday.

"They were fit and well, remarkably, considering the weather they endured," Superintendent Rod Smith told AAP.

"Including windchill, it got down to -16C, winds up to 100km/h, heavy rain and snow on the peaks - it doesn't get much worse than that," he said.

The couple, from Sydney's inner west, were able to find shelter under a large rock among trees out of the weather.

They were resting in their lodge on Wednesday afternoon.

Bushwalkers have been reminded to take precautions at this time of year because the weather in alpine regions can turn quickly.

"We were here this time last year under similar circumstances, and unfortunately haven't found (the bushwalker) from last year," Supt Smith said.

Canadian student Prabhdeep Srawn, 25, went missing in the Snowy Mountains in May 2013.

He was last seen at Charlotte Pass village on May 13, 2013, before heading off on a bushwalk to Mt Kosciuszko.

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Vic mine 'told not to expect CFA help'

The operators of the Hazelwood mine didn't see models showing it could be threatened by bushfires. Source: AAP

MINE workers were told not to expect help from the Country Fire Authority as they prepared to battle a blaze in a Victorian coal mine, an inquiry has heard.

The Hazelwood mine's services superintendent David Shanahan said he saw no CFA presence at the mine as he recorded smouldering and flames on February 9, apart from one fixed-wing aircraft that dropped retardant on the site.

He told an inquiry into the 45-day blaze that non-essential sprinklers were turned off in disused areas of the mine so water could be conserved to protect the mine's critical infrastructure.

After noticing a blaze on the mine's disused northern batters [sloping mine walls], he attempted to create a "protective wall of water" by spraying the area, before attending a meeting where he said it was discussed that the CFA had not responded.

"It was mentioned, don't expect to see a lot of support given the priorities the CFA had on them at the time," Mr Shanahan said on Tuesday.

"We were still waiting to get response from the CFA.

"We knew they had some bigger issues with defending the town of Morwell."

He said someone at the meeting had had contact with the CFA but he didn't know who.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Peter Rozen read a statement from Mr Shanahan on the lack of CFA presence.

"You say that you didn't see any CFA personnel in or around the incident control centre at that time and up until this point did not see any CFA trucks within the mine throughout the entire afternoon," Mr Rozen said.

Mr Shanahan said this was correct.

He said resources had initially been diverted away from the disused northern batters, which is where the fire took hold.

"There was a decision made to turn off some of the area that didn't impact the assets," Mr Shanahan said.

"The decision was made with the limited number of people still available. I went across there myself and turned off some of those unnecessary sprays to try and get more water into the critical infrastructure areas."

Mr Shanahan had been in his job barely a week when the fire broke out in the mine.

The inquiry earlier heard mine operators were not given access to state government modelling that showed the mine could come under threat from two nearby bushfires.

The fire in a disused section of the Hazelwood mine burned for 45 days from February 9 and shrouded the nearby town of Morwell in smoke and ash for weeks, forcing some residents to leave.

The inquiry continues.

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Rogerson treated like a dog: lawyer

ROGER Rogerson's lawyer says the disgraced former policeman has been "treated like a dog" after being forcibly taken from his Sydney home for questioning over the alleged murder of university student Jamie Gao.

"We're back to the Gestapo days now," a handcuffed Rogerson said as he was escorted by detectives through a media scrum outside his home in Sydney's southwest.

He was taken to Bankstown police station where he was later joined by his lawyer Paul Kenny.

Detective Inspector Mick Sheehy and Detective Inspector Russell Oxford, who were unable to track down Rogerson in Queensland on Monday, also arrived at the police station.

Rogerson was meeting with Mr Kenny on Tuesday morning when police swooped, banging on his door and surrounding his Padstow Heights home.

Mr Kenny said he would be calling NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione to complain about his client's treatment.

"He was treated like a dog. I've never seen conduct like this by NSW police," Mr Kenny said.

"This is like something off a TV show, but a bad TV show."

Mr Kenny said Rogerson, 73, was just about to head off to a meeting with police when the officers arrived.

"Police starting smashing at the door and a number of them came into Mr Rogerson's office where we were having a legal conference to make arrangements to go into the city," he said.

"I was just about to call Superintendent (Luke) Moore to let him know we were on our way."

Mr Kenny said Rogerson would be defending any possible charges.

"It was just very distressing and disturbing ... just the way they spoke to Mr Rogerson, it's most unnecessary," he said.

But NSW Police said in a statement that they were not satisfied with Rogerson's arrangements and decided to arrest him.

Fellow former Sydney detective and self-titled whistleblower Glen McNamara was charged on Monday with Gao's murder.

Police allege Mr Gao was killed last Tuesday after a drug deal went wrong.

Mr Kenny said earlier on Tuesday said that Rogerson was shocked at being linked to the murder.

He also appealed for calm, telling journalists Rogerson wanted to avoid any media hysteria.

"We don't want any OJ Simpson situation," he said.

Rogerson is one of the most infamous policemen in NSW history.

The highly-decorated detective was dismissed from the force in 1986 before being convicted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

His police career was later depicted in the ABC drama series Blue Murder.

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Man burned in Sydney shop fire

A MAN has serious burns after a large fire broke out in a busy northern Sydney shopping plaza.

The fire was started after a gas main caught alight on Monday afternoon at the front of a shop in Lane Cove, Ian Krimmer from NSW Fire and Rescue said.

A man in his early 20s suffered serious burns to his lower body and was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, an ambulance spokesman told AAP.

Six fire crews are battling the blaze and working to move people out of nearby shops.

There are concerns the fire could spread to the adjoining shops.

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NSW to build artificial reefs in Sydney

TWO artificial reefs will be built off the coast of Port Botany in southern Sydney to boost recreational fish numbers.

The NSW government will spend more than $2 million on establishing the reefs in a move that's been described as great news for anglers.

The reefs are expected to attract popular recreational fish such as snapper, kingfish and morwong.

"The proposed reefs will complement a number of existing estuarine artificial reefs within Botany Bay, adding to its reputation as a haven for recreational fishing," NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson said on Monday.

The reefs will be constructed using at least 60 concrete modules, three to five metres high, and will be lowered 40m to the sea floor.

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Six Aussies arrested over illegal gambling

Six Australians have reportedly been arrested in Thailand over an illegal gambling operation. Source: AAP

SIX Australians and a New Zealander have reportedly been arrested in Thailand over an illegal gambling operation.

Police used an undercover informant to place bets at the Ned Kelly Bar at Valentine's Guest House in Pattaya on May 10, the Pattaya Mail reported.

The bets were made on Australian horse races broadcast over the internet onto large-screen televisions.

Police raided the bar this month and arrested New Zealander Philip Smith, 59, who is allegedly the operator, and six Australians.

Smith told police he had been accepting bets and paying according to the website rate, while receiving a commission, for a long time.

The bar's Thai owner escaped.

The majority of gambling is illegal in Thailand.

The arrests come eight months after police and officials arrested 12 Australians and four Britons on charges of betting on Australian horse races.

The Thai military took control of the government in a coup on Thursday following the imposition of martial law across the country earlier in the week.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said there had been no requests for consular assistance following the latest reported arrests.

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Australian snorkeller dies off Fiji resort

A 36-year-old Australian man has died while snorkelling off Fiji's coral coast. Source: AAP

A 36-YEAR-OLD Australian man has died while snorkelling off Fiji's coral coast.

The man was staying with a friend at a five-star resort on the west coast of the main island Viti Levu when he went snorkelling alone on Saturday.

He was reported missing by the resort, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, about 7.45pm when he hadn't returned his snorkelling equipment and his belongings were found on the beach.

"The person in question was snorkelling late in the evening and did not return to his accommodation," general manager Peter Hopgood said.

Resort staff and local fishermen searched until after midnight and were back out again at first light on Sunday.

The man's body was found by locals from a neighbouring village at 9.50am on Sunday, washed onto the coral reef.

His body was taken to a morgue at nearby Sigatoka.

The resort said it was working closely with local authorities while the Australian High Commission was in the process of communicating with the dead man's family.

It extended "heartfelt condolences" to the man's family and friends.

In a letter to guests, it asked them to "refrain from entering the ocean after dark".

Australian authorities had little to add.

"The department is aware of the death of a 36-year-old Australian man in Fiji," said a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra.

It's the second death of an Australian in Fiji this month.

Ten days ago, Sydney father-of-three Mark Hardaker, 40, was killed in a collision between two boats while holidaying with his family.

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