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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Fresh debate as NSW celebrates

THE hoisting of two flags - potent symbols of the nation's divided past - triggered fresh debate about reconciliation on Saturday, as Australia's newest citizens looked forward to life in the lucky country.

Almost 3800 people from nations around the world - including some from war zones - became Aussies in NSW on Saturday, starting new chapters as part of their adopted nation's future.

Across the nation, 17,059 people from 145 countries became Australians in 430 citizenship ceremonies.

But as NSW celebrated Australia Day - marking 225 years since the First Fleet landed in Sydney - it was the fractured past, not the vaunted future, that caused debate.

Celebrations began early in Sydney, the sun barely up over the Opera House, when the Aboriginal and Australian flags were raised over the Harbour Bridge.

It was the first time the two banners have flown together on the iconic landmark on Australia Day.

NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister Victor Dominello said the flag-raising was a step towards reconciliation.

"I'm not saying that it's perfect. There is still a long way to go," he told reporters.

"But we are definitely on the right path."

But there was dissent.

Former Australian Democrat senator Andrew Bartlett wrote on Twitter: "26th Jan: anniversary of Britain establishing their colony of New South Wales. Nothing for the rest of us (or First Peoples) to celebrate."

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell quickly replied: "Except that your home state (& others) were opened up & carved out of NSW by people who lived here #getagrip."

Mr Bartlett retorted: "Carved up rather than 'carved out'."

It was a small skirmish on a day when most new Australians were intent on celebrating the present and the future.

For some, gaining citizenship was merely confirmation, a rubber-stamping of long-term faithfulness to the land Down Under.

Ex-Londoner Debbie Smith arrived in Australia 22 years ago on holiday and never left.

"Probably after about five years, you begin to feel assimilated to the country," she told AAP.

"If we're playing England, I still feel Australian."

For others, gaining citizenship was the culmination of long-held dreams.

South African-born Michael and Kim Parker, and their children Liam and Aiden, always wanted to make Australia home.

"Four years ago today we were walking along through the park and my cousin tapped me on the shoulder and said 'mate you could be up there one day on that stage getting your citizenship'," Mr Parker told AAP.

"So the dream has come true and we're here today."

Elsewhere, people were simply intent on having a good time, apparently oblivious to both the old and the new.

Gold Coast residents Andrew Lamond and Marshall Dudley drove overnight to Sydney with two friends from the US.

"We had to show them what Australia Day is all about so we got in the car and left," Mr Lamond said at a cafe in George St.

Mr Dudley instructed his California mates Amanda Smith and Maria Kosuzmenko how to celebrate.

"You shouldn't be drinking water, for a start," he said around 9.30am as he moved their water glasses off the table.

"I've already had a beer."

Thousands of people flocked into Sydney CBD to witness free shows, including The Wiggles unveiling their new line-up at Hyde Park.

Revellers began bagging the best spots in parks and reserves around the city, with eskies full of ice cold drinks, portable barbies and plenty of snags.

Sydneysider Doreen Carter was with her family in Hyde Park at 8.30am (AEDT) and planned to spend the day enjoying the free entertainment.

"It's one of the few days, other than Christmas, where we get the whole family together and just concentrate on enjoying ourselves," she said.

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North NSW told to prepare for floods, wind

RESIDENTS in northern NSW are being told to prepare for floods and damaging winds as the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald begin to affect the region.

Oswald has already brought severe flooding to northern and central coastal areas of Queensland,leading to hundreds of evacuations.

Authorities say the full brunt of the weather system should start to hit northern NSW late on Saturday (AEST).

The State Emergency Service (SES) has sent flood rescue and storm teams to the mid-north coast and north coast in readiness.

"With many people travelling around the northern parts of the state over the Australia Day long weekend, holidaymakers should consider the severe weather conditions in their travel plans as many major roads and highways could be cut off by floodwater," SES commissioner Murray Kear said.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned of possible flooding on rivers from the Queensland border down to the Lower Hunter Valley.

It issued a severe weather warning on Friday, saying there'll be heavy downpours throughout those areas from Saturday night.

"This slow-moving weather system will reach the far northeast on Saturday bringing heavy rainfall, before moving south to the mid-north coast and adjacent ranges on Sunday and Monday," BoM regional director Barry Hanstrum said.

There's also likely to be gale force winds from Sunday.

Mr Hanstrum said communities likely to be affected include Ballina, Byron Bay, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

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Strauss-Kahn faces call girl in court

Former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn has come face-to-face with a call girl as part of a probe. Source: AAP

DISGRACED former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn has come face-to-face with a call girl in the latest stage of a probe into charges that he procured prostitutes for sex parties.

The one-time favourite to be French president was confronted with the escort girl as part of prosecutors' attempts to assess their different versions of events that have led to him being charged with "aggravated pimping as part of an organised gang", judicial sources said.

"All I can tell you is that a confrontation took place in a respectful atmosphere and we are not at all unhappy," one of the Socialist politician's lawyers, Henri Leclerc, said after the four-hour hearing on Thursday.

The legal team failed in a December bid to have the pimping charges dismissed in the only outstanding case against their client.

Strauss-Kahn last month agreed on a financial settlement with a New York hotel maid whose 2011 allegation of sexual assault forced him to resign from his IMF job and wrecked his chances of becoming president.

Strauss-Kahn admitted a sexual encounter took place but insisted it was consensual. A criminal investigation into the incident collapsed after the maid changed her version of events.

French prosecutors, however, are convinced they have a case against Strauss-Kahn in what is known as the "Carlton affair".

It centres around allegations that business leaders and police officials in Lille operated a vice ring supplying girls for sex parties, some of which are said to have taken place at the city's Carlton Hotel.

The case took a colourful twist this week when Dominique Alderweireld, a convicted pimp widely known as "Dodo la Saumure (Dodo the brine)" became the 10th person to be charged with aggravated pimping. His nickname is a reference to the curing liquid used for mackerel, which is French slang for pimp.

The Carlton case is one of a series of probes launched in the aftermath of Strauss-Kahn's arrest in New York.

French writer Tristane Banon accused him of trying to rape her in 2003. Investigators concluded that while there was evidence of sexual assault, the alleged attack had occurred too long ago to be prosecuted.

Strauss-Kahn was also investigated over an allegation that he had taken part in the gang rape of a Belgian prostitute. The case was dropped when she recanted and said she had consented to sex.

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Birnie sentence decision after WA election

A SENTENCE review for serial killer Catherine Birnie is expected to be completed in early March but a decision can't be made until after the West Australian election.

The Prisoners Review Board began the review on Friday and is scheduled to hand its report to Attorney General Michael Mischin around March 2.

But with the government in caretaker mode at that time, Mr Mischin can't make his final decision on Birnie's future until after the state election on March 9.

Under law, Birnie's life sentence is reviewed every three years.

Former Attorney General Christian Porter, who left state politics for a tilt at the federal arena, in March 2010 decided Birnie would not be placed on parole or put into a re-socialisation program.

WA's attorney general in 2007, Jim McGinty, said Birnie should never be freed from jail.

Birnie and her late partner David Birnie raped, stabbed and clubbed to death four victims in their Willagee house, in Perth's southern suburbs, in 1986.

They were caught only when one of their intended victims escaped after they abducted her at knifepoint.

The pair were handed strict-security life sentences for the murders and David Birnie hanged himself in his protective custody Casuarina Prison cell in 2005.

She wasn't allowed to attend his funeral.

A 2007 review of Birnie, who is serving her sentence at Bandyup Women's Prison on Perth's north-eastern outskirts, found she was at low risk of reoffending but her release was rejected because of the extreme nature of her crimes.

Birnie, now 60, left her husband and six children in 1985 to live with David Birnie.

She did not marry him but took his surname.

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