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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