Release boys in Tassie detention: Milne

MORE than 100 young asylum seekers at the Pontville detention centre in Tasmania should be released into the local community, Australian Greens leader Christine Milne says.

"They should be cared for in the community. They should be able to go to school and that is the best place for them," Senator Milne told reporters in Hobart on Sunday.

Senator Milne said she was confident Tasmanians would look after the 127 boys.

"Get them to school, and show them the humanity that we all show our own children," she said.

The government reopened the Pontville centre to relieve pressure on the onshore processing network late last year.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

More help for Qld flood clean-up

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has announced two new appointments to lead the flood clean-up. Source: AAP

TWO more disaster co-ordinators have been announced to lead clean up efforts after the Queensland floods.

Premier Campbell Newman says Colonel Don Cousins will be responsible for the Northern Queensland region and Brigadier Bill Mellor for the Southern Queensland region.

It was announced last week that Deputy Police Commissioner Pointing would co-ordinate efforts in the Bundaberg/North Burnett region.

Mr Newman said increasing the number of co-ordinators allowed them to have a sharper focus on the communities they were responsible for.

"Each region has unique needs, and with the volume of work required, it makes sense that we divide responsibilities and spread the load," he said.

"The recovery will be a massive job and as each day passes we see more that needs to be done in towns and cities across the state."

Brigadier Mellor commanded the Australian Force in Somalia and was a key player in the strategic planning for the Australian intervention in Timor.

Colonel Cousins worked directly for the Chief of the Defence Force and the Chief of Joint Operations, conducting investigations in Afghanistan.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.''

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.51 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

11.50 | 0 komentar | Read More