Outcry over anthem remix
SYDNEY Lord Mayor Clover Moore, fresh from the Christmas decorations fiasco, was last night embroiled in a new furore for approving a disco version of the Australian national anthem.
The three-minute techno version of the song will reach about one million viewers around Sydney Harbour and potentially 600 million watching around the world at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Several community leaders, including national RSL president Bill Crews, attacked the move as being disrespectful, while a flood of talkback callers also expressed their disgust.
"There are other things you can put to disco music, not the national anthem which is an important national symbol," Mr Crews said. " I would like to see it remain very much as it was intended because of its national significance."
But New Year's Eve producer Ed Wilkinson said the song was designed to give a "more modern take" on the anthem.
"I am sorry we've upset people, it certainly wasn't the intention," he said.
"We are concerned that people take such a strong offence to it. A few people who phoned us have said they like it, a few have said they didn't like it."
The song was the idea of New Year's Eve creative director Leo Schofield.
Mr Wilkinson said the track had been specifically approved by Ms Moore after the show's staff "ran it by her".
He said she "liked" the song, although she was not involved in its development.
". . . all lord mayors have given a lot of creative range to the New Year's Eve director," Mr Wilkinson said.
"She [Ms Moore] however has the final yah or nay at the end of the day."
Asked when Ms Moore had approved the soundtrack, Mr Wilkinson said: "I don't know, you'll have to speak to her about that".
Ms Moore did not want to speak about it.
She hung up just as a Sydney radio station was about to put her to air to ask her about the issue.
Mr Wilkinson said Ms Moore had requested the song not be released before New Year's Eve but part of the song was released at yesterday's launch.
He said the song cost $2000 to produce and was recorded at a Sydney studio.
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
From the Australian Press
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From the Australian Press
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PM slams techno anthem
A DANCE version of the Australian national anthem, due to be played at New Year's Eve celebrations at Sydney Harbour, sounded "terrible", Prime Minister John Howard said today.
The three-minute techno version of the song, which has been approved by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, will reach about one million viewers around Sydney Harbour and potentially 600 million watching around the world at midnight on New Year's Eve.
But community leaders have attacked the move as being disrespectful, while a flood of talkback callers in Sydney have also expressed their outrage.
After being played an extract of the dance version of the anthem during an interview on Perth radio 6PR this morning the PM said: "I think it sounds terrible."
"I have a very strong view that the national anthem should be sung and played in a way that facilitates maximum audience participation in its singing," Mr Howard said.
"Most importantly it should encourage and allow people to sing along – and nobody can sing along to that, can you?
"The public wants to sing it, but they can't sing it if its not easy to follow, and nobody can follow that."
"It's better not to play it, it is after all our national anthem and I don't think it should be played around with. Most of us are pretty inadequate singers at the best of times, and trying to keep pace with that, I couldn't."
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
A DANCE version of the Australian national anthem, due to be played at New Year's Eve celebrations at Sydney Harbour, sounded "terrible", Prime Minister John Howard said today.
The three-minute techno version of the song, which has been approved by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, will reach about one million viewers around Sydney Harbour and potentially 600 million watching around the world at midnight on New Year's Eve.
But community leaders have attacked the move as being disrespectful, while a flood of talkback callers in Sydney have also expressed their outrage.
After being played an extract of the dance version of the anthem during an interview on Perth radio 6PR this morning the PM said: "I think it sounds terrible."
"I have a very strong view that the national anthem should be sung and played in a way that facilitates maximum audience participation in its singing," Mr Howard said.
"Most importantly it should encourage and allow people to sing along – and nobody can sing along to that, can you?
"The public wants to sing it, but they can't sing it if its not easy to follow, and nobody can follow that."
"It's better not to play it, it is after all our national anthem and I don't think it should be played around with. Most of us are pretty inadequate singers at the best of times, and trying to keep pace with that, I couldn't."
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
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Drinking game puts Perth man near death
A 21-year-old Perth man is lucky to be alive after having his stomach ripped open during a beer-skolling game using a home-made device powered by an electric pump.
The drinking game at a 21st birthday party in a southern suburb 10 days ago went badly wrong, rupturing the man's stomach and forcing beer straight into his abdomen.
The man, who is in St John of God Hospital in Murdoch and spent a week in intensive care fighting for his life, was among a group of friends at a private party who used the device.
It is believed to have consisted of a helmet fitted with a jug from which a hose was attached to a pump that was powered by a power drill.
Another hose from the pump was placed in his mouth and the pump was switched on, pushing beer from the jug down his throat.
The man, a mechanical drafter who did not want his name published, said yesterday that about six other party-goers had used the "jug helmet" before him.
"No one else had any problems and I didn't think it would be any different to other things like funnels that people use," he said.
"But I knew something wasn't right soon after I drank from it. I started spewing up red stuff and was in a lot of pain."
Although he has little memory of the next few days, friends took the man to the Murdoch hospital's emergency department where staff originally thought he was just drunk. When his friends told about the skolling device doctors suspected something was seriously wrong.
The man underwent urgent surgery to repair a 10cm tear and was then on life support for a week.
Surgeon David Cooke said the split in the wall of the man's stomach had pushed food and beer into his abdominal cavity, making him septic. His insides had to be "washed out" twice and he was put on heavy-duty antibiotics.
The man's mother said that for several days it was touch and go.
were told that if his oesophagus had torn as well he probably would have died," she said. "I know 21-year-olds are out to have some fun but I don't think any of them . . . realised what can happen when these sorts of drinking games get out of hand."
She said she did not want to blame anyone for what happened but hoped the device had been destroyed.
Health experts yesterday warned people not to build gadgets that allowed the rapid consumption of large amounts of alcohol.
Australian Medical Association public health chairwoman Rosanna Capolingua said she was horrified that people would pump a liquid into themselves.
"This is a warning with Christmas and new year coming up to be a little careful and not try to up the ante," she said.
"You can have a great time and a lot of fun without putting yourself and each other in danger."
**From The West Australian (Perth) **
A 21-year-old Perth man is lucky to be alive after having his stomach ripped open during a beer-skolling game using a home-made device powered by an electric pump.
The drinking game at a 21st birthday party in a southern suburb 10 days ago went badly wrong, rupturing the man's stomach and forcing beer straight into his abdomen.
The man, who is in St John of God Hospital in Murdoch and spent a week in intensive care fighting for his life, was among a group of friends at a private party who used the device.
It is believed to have consisted of a helmet fitted with a jug from which a hose was attached to a pump that was powered by a power drill.
Another hose from the pump was placed in his mouth and the pump was switched on, pushing beer from the jug down his throat.
The man, a mechanical drafter who did not want his name published, said yesterday that about six other party-goers had used the "jug helmet" before him.
"No one else had any problems and I didn't think it would be any different to other things like funnels that people use," he said.
"But I knew something wasn't right soon after I drank from it. I started spewing up red stuff and was in a lot of pain."
Although he has little memory of the next few days, friends took the man to the Murdoch hospital's emergency department where staff originally thought he was just drunk. When his friends told about the skolling device doctors suspected something was seriously wrong.
The man underwent urgent surgery to repair a 10cm tear and was then on life support for a week.
Surgeon David Cooke said the split in the wall of the man's stomach had pushed food and beer into his abdominal cavity, making him septic. His insides had to be "washed out" twice and he was put on heavy-duty antibiotics.
The man's mother said that for several days it was touch and go.
were told that if his oesophagus had torn as well he probably would have died," she said. "I know 21-year-olds are out to have some fun but I don't think any of them . . . realised what can happen when these sorts of drinking games get out of hand."
She said she did not want to blame anyone for what happened but hoped the device had been destroyed.
Health experts yesterday warned people not to build gadgets that allowed the rapid consumption of large amounts of alcohol.
Australian Medical Association public health chairwoman Rosanna Capolingua said she was horrified that people would pump a liquid into themselves.
"This is a warning with Christmas and new year coming up to be a little careful and not try to up the ante," she said.
"You can have a great time and a lot of fun without putting yourself and each other in danger."
**From The West Australian (Perth) **
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City in a spin over bridge's disco ball
THE disco anthem may have been greeted with derision but the centrepiece of the New Year celebrations has sparked fever-like delight.
Sydney's New Year's Eve organisers yesterday revealed a giant mirror ball – a five storey-high spherical sculpture called Fanfare – will be the Harbour Bridge's light show on December 31.
Designed by New Zealand artist Neil Dawson, the sculpture, Sydney's first three-dimensional bridge effect, is made of steel and covered in 354 stainless steel pinwheels which will spin as the ball rotates.
A light show will follow the midnight fireworks, highlighting the spinning pinwheels and sending reflections across the water.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the design was "stunningly beautiful".
The city will be spending around $200,000 more on this year's annual New Year's Eve party than last year's event.
Catering for around 1200 invited guests at the Opera House bash is already promising to be more extravagant courtesy of ratepayers.
Although Ms Moore wouldn't comment on the recent Christmas debacle, she was more than happy to promote her current project.
"I think that the people see from our announcement today how good the city is at the festive season, starting with Christmas and going through New Year's and into the festival of Sydney and right through to Chinese New Year," she said.
"It just feels very good to launch what will be quite spectacular. I fact one of the first things Leo (Schofield) said to me when I became Lord Mayor was: 'Don't even think about cancelling New Year's and I said, "No, I'm not even thinking about it."
Sydney Council will be spending an estimated $6 million on the festive season – including Christmas, New Year's Eve, Sydney Festival and Chinese New Year. About half of the cost of New Year's Eve is covered by Sponsors, including The Daily Telegraph.
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
THE disco anthem may have been greeted with derision but the centrepiece of the New Year celebrations has sparked fever-like delight.
Sydney's New Year's Eve organisers yesterday revealed a giant mirror ball – a five storey-high spherical sculpture called Fanfare – will be the Harbour Bridge's light show on December 31.
Designed by New Zealand artist Neil Dawson, the sculpture, Sydney's first three-dimensional bridge effect, is made of steel and covered in 354 stainless steel pinwheels which will spin as the ball rotates.
A light show will follow the midnight fireworks, highlighting the spinning pinwheels and sending reflections across the water.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the design was "stunningly beautiful".
The city will be spending around $200,000 more on this year's annual New Year's Eve party than last year's event.
Catering for around 1200 invited guests at the Opera House bash is already promising to be more extravagant courtesy of ratepayers.
Although Ms Moore wouldn't comment on the recent Christmas debacle, she was more than happy to promote her current project.
"I think that the people see from our announcement today how good the city is at the festive season, starting with Christmas and going through New Year's and into the festival of Sydney and right through to Chinese New Year," she said.
"It just feels very good to launch what will be quite spectacular. I fact one of the first things Leo (Schofield) said to me when I became Lord Mayor was: 'Don't even think about cancelling New Year's and I said, "No, I'm not even thinking about it."
Sydney Council will be spending an estimated $6 million on the festive season – including Christmas, New Year's Eve, Sydney Festival and Chinese New Year. About half of the cost of New Year's Eve is covered by Sponsors, including The Daily Telegraph.
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
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Company fined for electrocution death
A WEST Australian road construction company that ignored its own safety procedures, resulting in the electrocution of a worker, has been fined a record $150,000.
The fine, double the previous state record for a similar case, was imposed on Perth-based firm Goldfields Contractors WA after they were convicted in Perth Magistrates Court yesterday.
The charge was laid by WorkSafe under health and safety legislation.
In 2002 a 12.5 metre steel light pole being installed in the northern Perth suburb of Madeley touched a 132,000 volt overhead powerlines as it was was being lowered into its hole.
Desmond Nicholson, an employee of sub-contractor Hermans and Rossi, was killed. Another employee, Vince Rossi, suffered second and third degree burns and required a partial amputation of his left leg.
Goldfields Contractors did not enter a plea to the charge of failing to maintain a safe working environment. The company was also ordered to pay $1000 in costs.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the size of the penalty reflected community concerns about safety and health in the workplace.
"Everybody has a right to a safe working environment and this case sends a message to all employers about their obligations," Ms Lyhne said.
A statement from the WA government's department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) said Goldfields Contractors had a safety manual that included a safe working procedure for work near overhead powerlines.
This policy was not communicated to Hermans and Rossi or its employees before the accident, DOCEP said.
Nor did Goldfields Contractors take steps to ensure the policy was followed during the installation of the pole.
**From The Sunday Times (Perth) **
A WEST Australian road construction company that ignored its own safety procedures, resulting in the electrocution of a worker, has been fined a record $150,000.
The fine, double the previous state record for a similar case, was imposed on Perth-based firm Goldfields Contractors WA after they were convicted in Perth Magistrates Court yesterday.
The charge was laid by WorkSafe under health and safety legislation.
In 2002 a 12.5 metre steel light pole being installed in the northern Perth suburb of Madeley touched a 132,000 volt overhead powerlines as it was was being lowered into its hole.
Desmond Nicholson, an employee of sub-contractor Hermans and Rossi, was killed. Another employee, Vince Rossi, suffered second and third degree burns and required a partial amputation of his left leg.
Goldfields Contractors did not enter a plea to the charge of failing to maintain a safe working environment. The company was also ordered to pay $1000 in costs.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the size of the penalty reflected community concerns about safety and health in the workplace.
"Everybody has a right to a safe working environment and this case sends a message to all employers about their obligations," Ms Lyhne said.
A statement from the WA government's department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) said Goldfields Contractors had a safety manual that included a safe working procedure for work near overhead powerlines.
This policy was not communicated to Hermans and Rossi or its employees before the accident, DOCEP said.
Nor did Goldfields Contractors take steps to ensure the policy was followed during the installation of the pole.
**From The Sunday Times (Perth) **
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Driver to fight drug finding
A DRIVER identified as the first in the world to return a positive roadside drug test has vowed to clear his name.
John De Jong, 39, said he was devastated when he was identified to the media by Victoria Police as returning two positive drug samples.
Mr De Jong was just the fourth driver tested when police set up their new drug bus for roadside saliva testing in Whitehall St, Yarraville, on Monday.
He was stopped from driving his van and when he returned to his Ballarat home he found his two teenage daughters in tears and his wife distraught.
"I did not take any drugs. It is as simple as that. The test has to be wrong," Mr De Jong said.
"I've had many phone calls from my family and friends. They've all seen me on the TV.
"It doesn't look good for me. I've got to try and clear my name."
Mr De Jong was widely identified in the media as having returned two positive samples to marijuana and methamphetamines.
He was not charged and police say the new testing system is not complete until a third test is done in a laboratory.
Mr De Jong has contacted solicitors who are trying to find a lab capable of testing the sample provided to him in the drug bus.
After the first test was positive, he told police he smoked marijuana more than four weeks ago.
The only other drugs he had taken were two anti-inflammatory tablets the night before the roadside test.
Mr De Jong said he was not a regular marijuana smoker.
"I'm just about to have a nervous breakdown. I'm just a mess. I didn't know where to turn or what to do and that's why I went to a solicitor," he said.
Mr De Jong is a van driver and he has had no motoring convictions for 15 years.
Solicitor Katalin Blond, of law firm Slater and Gordon, said she was concerned her client was identified although he was not charged.
"There is the issue of the system being flawed and people not being given adequate information about what their rights are," Ms Blond said.
"This was a media bonanza organised by Victoria Police.
"Their public relations exercise has been at his expense."
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
A DRIVER identified as the first in the world to return a positive roadside drug test has vowed to clear his name.
John De Jong, 39, said he was devastated when he was identified to the media by Victoria Police as returning two positive drug samples.
Mr De Jong was just the fourth driver tested when police set up their new drug bus for roadside saliva testing in Whitehall St, Yarraville, on Monday.
He was stopped from driving his van and when he returned to his Ballarat home he found his two teenage daughters in tears and his wife distraught.
"I did not take any drugs. It is as simple as that. The test has to be wrong," Mr De Jong said.
"I've had many phone calls from my family and friends. They've all seen me on the TV.
"It doesn't look good for me. I've got to try and clear my name."
Mr De Jong was widely identified in the media as having returned two positive samples to marijuana and methamphetamines.
He was not charged and police say the new testing system is not complete until a third test is done in a laboratory.
Mr De Jong has contacted solicitors who are trying to find a lab capable of testing the sample provided to him in the drug bus.
After the first test was positive, he told police he smoked marijuana more than four weeks ago.
The only other drugs he had taken were two anti-inflammatory tablets the night before the roadside test.
Mr De Jong said he was not a regular marijuana smoker.
"I'm just about to have a nervous breakdown. I'm just a mess. I didn't know where to turn or what to do and that's why I went to a solicitor," he said.
Mr De Jong is a van driver and he has had no motoring convictions for 15 years.
Solicitor Katalin Blond, of law firm Slater and Gordon, said she was concerned her client was identified although he was not charged.
"There is the issue of the system being flawed and people not being given adequate information about what their rights are," Ms Blond said.
"This was a media bonanza organised by Victoria Police.
"Their public relations exercise has been at his expense."
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
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Dopiest home video
A GREEN thumb who made a Burke's Backyard-style instructional video for dope growers about his own $1.5 million crop was behind bars last night.
Gelu Pucea spent eight months lovingly cultivating 258 marijuana plants in remote bushland, growing some to 6m high.
But Pucea's video recording of his horticultural skill was his downfall when police found it three years after his crop disappeared.
Pucea, 39, yesterday pleaded guilty to nine charges including cultivating a commercial quantity of drugs and trafficking cannabis.
An edited version of the three-hour video was screened to the County Court sitting in Bairnsdale yesterday.
It details all stages of growing a marijuana crop from picking a plot to what fertiliser to use.
The video begins with Pucea filming in September 2000 at the Tambo River in Gippsland and introducing himself as "Nick the Riverman".
"In this film I would like to show you how to successfully grow pot or marijuana in a place such as this," he says.
"So let's get started, we have a lot of work to do."
While Pucea devoted himself to the crop and video, camping by the plants for months, he was aware of the legal risk.
"You will not see me in the video for mainly law enforcement reasons," he says at the start.
"But you will hear my voice all along the way."
At one point in the film Pucea talks about plot preparation, saying: "Here's a plot I prepared earlier," borrowing a line from TV cooking shows.
The video charts the eight-month growth of the 258 plants, including footage of when the plants are between 4m and 6m high. "With a bit of luck and good weather I'll make some good money," he says.
Pucea detailed every aspect of the plant's development, even problems with brown rot.
"It is heartbreaking," he says of watching one 4m plant die.
Pucea lived next to his crop in remote bushland 15km from Bruthen for eight months.
Prosecutor David O'Doherty told the court the crop would have retailed on the street for up to $1.5 million and up to $500,000 wholesale.
He said Pucea indicated in the video he was going to sell it wholesale.
Mr Doherty told the court Pucea's crop campsite was sophisticated and included a sleeping tent, food storage tent and a drying hut.
He said Pucea used a raft to transport supplies so he would avoid leaving a track.
The court heard the Bairnsdale CIU, headed by Detective Senior Constable Andrew Mehlert, searched the crop site in November last year after a tip-off.
But while the marijuana crop was gone, they recovered the video and a diary buried in a barrel.
This led them to Pucea, who was arrested in April this year.
Defence lawyer Kevin Doyle told the court Pucea had a hard life.
He said Pucea, who is trained in horticulture and forestry, had fled from Romania in the late 1980s. Mr Doyle said Pucea was a respected member of the community who often did gardening at the local church.
He told the court it was an unusual case because Pucea was charged over marijuana that only existed on a videotape.
Mr Doyle said his client had not sold the 258 plants -- he simply left them to rot after having a change of heart.
Pucea, of Bruthen, will be sentenced by Judge Geoff Chettle tomorrow.
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
A GREEN thumb who made a Burke's Backyard-style instructional video for dope growers about his own $1.5 million crop was behind bars last night.
Gelu Pucea spent eight months lovingly cultivating 258 marijuana plants in remote bushland, growing some to 6m high.
But Pucea's video recording of his horticultural skill was his downfall when police found it three years after his crop disappeared.
Pucea, 39, yesterday pleaded guilty to nine charges including cultivating a commercial quantity of drugs and trafficking cannabis.
An edited version of the three-hour video was screened to the County Court sitting in Bairnsdale yesterday.
It details all stages of growing a marijuana crop from picking a plot to what fertiliser to use.
The video begins with Pucea filming in September 2000 at the Tambo River in Gippsland and introducing himself as "Nick the Riverman".
"In this film I would like to show you how to successfully grow pot or marijuana in a place such as this," he says.
"So let's get started, we have a lot of work to do."
While Pucea devoted himself to the crop and video, camping by the plants for months, he was aware of the legal risk.
"You will not see me in the video for mainly law enforcement reasons," he says at the start.
"But you will hear my voice all along the way."
At one point in the film Pucea talks about plot preparation, saying: "Here's a plot I prepared earlier," borrowing a line from TV cooking shows.
The video charts the eight-month growth of the 258 plants, including footage of when the plants are between 4m and 6m high. "With a bit of luck and good weather I'll make some good money," he says.
Pucea detailed every aspect of the plant's development, even problems with brown rot.
"It is heartbreaking," he says of watching one 4m plant die.
Pucea lived next to his crop in remote bushland 15km from Bruthen for eight months.
Prosecutor David O'Doherty told the court the crop would have retailed on the street for up to $1.5 million and up to $500,000 wholesale.
He said Pucea indicated in the video he was going to sell it wholesale.
Mr Doherty told the court Pucea's crop campsite was sophisticated and included a sleeping tent, food storage tent and a drying hut.
He said Pucea used a raft to transport supplies so he would avoid leaving a track.
The court heard the Bairnsdale CIU, headed by Detective Senior Constable Andrew Mehlert, searched the crop site in November last year after a tip-off.
But while the marijuana crop was gone, they recovered the video and a diary buried in a barrel.
This led them to Pucea, who was arrested in April this year.
Defence lawyer Kevin Doyle told the court Pucea had a hard life.
He said Pucea, who is trained in horticulture and forestry, had fled from Romania in the late 1980s. Mr Doyle said Pucea was a respected member of the community who often did gardening at the local church.
He told the court it was an unusual case because Pucea was charged over marijuana that only existed on a videotape.
Mr Doyle said his client had not sold the 258 plants -- he simply left them to rot after having a change of heart.
Pucea, of Bruthen, will be sentenced by Judge Geoff Chettle tomorrow.
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
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23 years' jail for rape and murder
A MELBOURNE man who raped and murdered a young woman after she refused to have sex with him was jailed today for 23 years.
Victorian Supreme Court judge Justice Robert Osborn ordered 26-year-old Mark John Oswell, of suburban Cranborne, to serve a minimum non-parole term of 18 years.
Oswell had pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of 19-year-old Rachel Lawton on February 21 this year at Cannons Creek, south-east of Melbourne.
The court was told Oswell choked Ms Lawton into a semi-conscious state, telling her he would rape her "just for the hell of it".
He again smothered her until she passed out, drove her to the nearby creek, where he cut her throat with a serrated-edged knife and stabbed her repeatedly, inflicting 15 wounds.
He then dumped Ms Lawton's body in the water.
Justice Osborn told Oswell the circumstances in which Ms Lawton died "could scarcely be more terrifying or sickening".
Oswell had acted in a brutal fashion, subjecting Ms Lawton to a violent rape and vicious murder.
"You first debased and humiliated her and then after a period of considered conduct overpowered and savagely stabbed her," the judge said.
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
A MELBOURNE man who raped and murdered a young woman after she refused to have sex with him was jailed today for 23 years.
Victorian Supreme Court judge Justice Robert Osborn ordered 26-year-old Mark John Oswell, of suburban Cranborne, to serve a minimum non-parole term of 18 years.
Oswell had pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of 19-year-old Rachel Lawton on February 21 this year at Cannons Creek, south-east of Melbourne.
The court was told Oswell choked Ms Lawton into a semi-conscious state, telling her he would rape her "just for the hell of it".
He again smothered her until she passed out, drove her to the nearby creek, where he cut her throat with a serrated-edged knife and stabbed her repeatedly, inflicting 15 wounds.
He then dumped Ms Lawton's body in the water.
Justice Osborn told Oswell the circumstances in which Ms Lawton died "could scarcely be more terrifying or sickening".
Oswell had acted in a brutal fashion, subjecting Ms Lawton to a violent rape and vicious murder.
"You first debased and humiliated her and then after a period of considered conduct overpowered and savagely stabbed her," the judge said.
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
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Three lives stolen in fire
THREE sisters have each lost a young child in a devastating house fire in central western NSW which also left one of the mothers fighting for her life.
Cousins Tyler Forkin, six, Dillon Forkin, three, and four-year-old Tara Forkin, died after flames tore through their house in Algona Street, West Dubbo at 7.30am yesterday.
Tyler's mother, Michelle Forkin, 21, was rescued by firefighters after suffering burns to 40 per cent of her body.
She underwent surgery at Dubbo Base Hospital before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital burns unit where she was in a critical condition last night.
Her sister Cindy Forkin, 32, mother of Dillon, suffered shock and minor smoke inhalation after being rescued by neighbours who bashed down a deadlocked door to the laundry, where she was trapped.
Fire investigators were combing the scene yesterday to try and piece together how the fire, which gutted the weatherboard home, began.
Michelle, Cindy and the children had moved into the home only six weeks ago and also took in Cindy's twin sister Lisa Forkin's daughter Tara.
Lisa, who also lives in Dubbo at a separate address, attended the Dubbo Hospital after hearing news of her family member's tragedy.
Late yesterday, Cindy Forkin spoke to The Daily Telegraph about the tragedy.
She said she was sleeping in a front bedroom with the three children when she was awoken by her nephew Tyler.
Tyler told her there was a fire in the loungeroom and Cindy rushed into the rear laundry hoping to collect water in a baby bathtub to try to put the fire out.
However, Cindy said she then found herself trapped in the laundry with smoke and flames and incredible heat on the other side of the internal laundry door.
"The fire was too (intense), the smoke was too, it was too hot," said the distraught mother.
She said she closed the internal laundry door and pulled her t-shirt up over her mouth to block the smoke and squatted on the ground to avoid the smoke.
Then she found she was trapped with the deadlock locked from the inside, until four neighbours came to her rescue, banging on a rear door.
"Then I heard someone say anybody in there and I said me, get me out of here, help me, help."
She said when she left the house she assumed her sister Michelle and the three children had already escaped.
Her sister had been sleeping in another room.
Fire fighters arrived at about 7.45am, after receiving a triple 000 call from a neighbour eight minutes earlierand helped badly injured Michelle out.
Cindy said she briefly saw her sister outside the house and it was only then she realised the children were still inside.
"I said where the kids and she said, 'oh no, they must still be in there'."
NSW Fire Brigade's Inspector Jeff Honey said when fire fighters arrived there were fire alarms going off inside the house.
Crews were confronted with an extremely hot fire gained access through the front door.
Other crews gained access via a balcony to some front glass sliding doors which they used to bring out the three children.
He said the three children were found unconscious on mattresses in the front bedroom and carried out.
One of the fire fighters suffered superficial burns to his face and was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital for treatment.
Dubbo crime manager Detective Inspector Michael Willing described the fire as a tragedy.
"This incident is a terrible tragedy for the West Dubbo community, obviously the family, and for the Dubbo community as a whole particularly when Christmas is just around the corner as well," he said.
Detective Inspector Willing said police had not determined the cause of the fire but that every fire was treated as suspicious until proven otherwise.
Cindy Forkin, who was staying with her parents down the road from the home, said she had lost all her belongings, which were uninsured.
Her father, Dave Forkin, said he had already bought Christmas presents for his grandchildren and that the family would have no Christmas to celebrate this year.
"I can't see us having Christmas this year, not without the kids," he said.
Cindy said she wanted to thank the neighbours who came to her aid as well as fire fighters, ambulance officers, police and hospital staff.
"I'd like to say thank you for helping, they did all they could," she said.
Post-mortem on the three children are to be conducted today at Glebe Morgue to determine their cause of death, while Sydney fire investigators are in Dubbo trying to ascertain the cause of the blaze.
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
THREE sisters have each lost a young child in a devastating house fire in central western NSW which also left one of the mothers fighting for her life.
Cousins Tyler Forkin, six, Dillon Forkin, three, and four-year-old Tara Forkin, died after flames tore through their house in Algona Street, West Dubbo at 7.30am yesterday.
Tyler's mother, Michelle Forkin, 21, was rescued by firefighters after suffering burns to 40 per cent of her body.
She underwent surgery at Dubbo Base Hospital before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital burns unit where she was in a critical condition last night.
Her sister Cindy Forkin, 32, mother of Dillon, suffered shock and minor smoke inhalation after being rescued by neighbours who bashed down a deadlocked door to the laundry, where she was trapped.
Fire investigators were combing the scene yesterday to try and piece together how the fire, which gutted the weatherboard home, began.
Michelle, Cindy and the children had moved into the home only six weeks ago and also took in Cindy's twin sister Lisa Forkin's daughter Tara.
Lisa, who also lives in Dubbo at a separate address, attended the Dubbo Hospital after hearing news of her family member's tragedy.
Late yesterday, Cindy Forkin spoke to The Daily Telegraph about the tragedy.
She said she was sleeping in a front bedroom with the three children when she was awoken by her nephew Tyler.
Tyler told her there was a fire in the loungeroom and Cindy rushed into the rear laundry hoping to collect water in a baby bathtub to try to put the fire out.
However, Cindy said she then found herself trapped in the laundry with smoke and flames and incredible heat on the other side of the internal laundry door.
"The fire was too (intense), the smoke was too, it was too hot," said the distraught mother.
She said she closed the internal laundry door and pulled her t-shirt up over her mouth to block the smoke and squatted on the ground to avoid the smoke.
Then she found she was trapped with the deadlock locked from the inside, until four neighbours came to her rescue, banging on a rear door.
"Then I heard someone say anybody in there and I said me, get me out of here, help me, help."
She said when she left the house she assumed her sister Michelle and the three children had already escaped.
Her sister had been sleeping in another room.
Fire fighters arrived at about 7.45am, after receiving a triple 000 call from a neighbour eight minutes earlierand helped badly injured Michelle out.
Cindy said she briefly saw her sister outside the house and it was only then she realised the children were still inside.
"I said where the kids and she said, 'oh no, they must still be in there'."
NSW Fire Brigade's Inspector Jeff Honey said when fire fighters arrived there were fire alarms going off inside the house.
Crews were confronted with an extremely hot fire gained access through the front door.
Other crews gained access via a balcony to some front glass sliding doors which they used to bring out the three children.
He said the three children were found unconscious on mattresses in the front bedroom and carried out.
One of the fire fighters suffered superficial burns to his face and was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital for treatment.
Dubbo crime manager Detective Inspector Michael Willing described the fire as a tragedy.
"This incident is a terrible tragedy for the West Dubbo community, obviously the family, and for the Dubbo community as a whole particularly when Christmas is just around the corner as well," he said.
Detective Inspector Willing said police had not determined the cause of the fire but that every fire was treated as suspicious until proven otherwise.
Cindy Forkin, who was staying with her parents down the road from the home, said she had lost all her belongings, which were uninsured.
Her father, Dave Forkin, said he had already bought Christmas presents for his grandchildren and that the family would have no Christmas to celebrate this year.
"I can't see us having Christmas this year, not without the kids," he said.
Cindy said she wanted to thank the neighbours who came to her aid as well as fire fighters, ambulance officers, police and hospital staff.
"I'd like to say thank you for helping, they did all they could," she said.
Post-mortem on the three children are to be conducted today at Glebe Morgue to determine their cause of death, while Sydney fire investigators are in Dubbo trying to ascertain the cause of the blaze.
**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
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AussieMark
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**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
Attacked with a cricket bat
ON the day 60-year-old road rage victim Beni Sarkis was buried, the violence continued on the streets of Sydney.
Just hours after Mr Sarkis was laid to rest by his wife and two children, an inner-western couple was allegedly chased for 2km by an enraged motorist who attacked the husband with a cricket bat.
Carolynn Lawrence yesterday told how the man, angry at being beeped at by her husband Matthew, followed the couple from Leichhardt to their Annandale home.
As the driver got out of his vehicle, Mr Lawrence raced into his house and grabbed a cricket bat to protect himself. He was allegedly disarmed by the man who then turned the weapon against him.
"I was screaming and my teenage son ran out with a chair to help but he was attacked too," a shaken Ms Lawrence said soon after the incident.
"My husband was hit in the nose and he got a broken tooth. There was blood everywhere, it was horrible. I was scared he was going to kill us."
Ms Lawrence said the incident began about 2pm in Foster St, Leichhardt, when the man pulled out in front of the couple's car, causing Mr Lawrence to sound his horn.
"This guy pulled out in front of us and we had to hit our brakes," she said.
"We beeped our horn and went around him.
"We drove up to the next set of lights and we realised he was behind us, beeping, yelling and waving his arms.
"He was shouting 'get out of the car, get out of the car'.
"He followed us through the streets. Three times he tried to cut us off. I was screaming, I was panicking.
"I was saying to Matt, 'just drive, don't stop, drive to the police station' but he said 'no, we have to get home'.
"We stopped and the guy got out of the car after us.
"Matt ran inside and got a cricket bat and ran back out.
"But the guy just took the cricket bat off him and used it on him."
Ms Lawrence wrote the vehicle's registration number on her hand and the driver was stopped by police at Balmain a short time later.
Ambulance officers were called to the scene but were not required to treat Mr Lawrence for his injuries.
Police confirmed they took a statement from the man involved in the incident but he was released without charge.
Inspector Ken Blackett said the investigation could go no further until Mr or Mrs Lawrence gave a statement to officers – something the couple was reluctant to do yesterday.
Mrs Lawrence said she feared for her family's safety and wanted to consider her position before making a statement.
"We want to talk and think about it because we're worried. We've got three kids here, so when you think about charging someone, you've got to think about repercussions," she said.
Insp Blackett said further inquiries would be made if Mr or Mrs Lawrence were willing to speak to police.
"We're inviting them to come and give us a statement. We've already got the other person, we've identified who it is and we've got it on paper," he said.
"For an investigation, we need to get a statement from both parties involved."
Last night, Insp Blackett urged the couple to contact police and make a statement.
He said Mr Lawrence had been in an agitated state and had earlier left the station without giving his side of the story.
"If he calms down with his wife and comes in we could investigate it but at the moment he is not in a position to put his thoughts down on paper for us," Insp Blackett said.
"He's just got to settle down and come back in a reasonable manner and we'll get a statement off him. Until he's prepared to give us a statement, we've got nothing to act on."
The quiet, tree-lined Annandale street where the alleged road rage attack occurred showed signs of the violence, with several spots of what appeared to be blood leading from the roadway to the Lawrence's front door step.
The cricket bat allegedly used in the incident was standing against the wall in the hallway of the house.
Attacked with a cricket bat
ON the day 60-year-old road rage victim Beni Sarkis was buried, the violence continued on the streets of Sydney.
Just hours after Mr Sarkis was laid to rest by his wife and two children, an inner-western couple was allegedly chased for 2km by an enraged motorist who attacked the husband with a cricket bat.
Carolynn Lawrence yesterday told how the man, angry at being beeped at by her husband Matthew, followed the couple from Leichhardt to their Annandale home.
As the driver got out of his vehicle, Mr Lawrence raced into his house and grabbed a cricket bat to protect himself. He was allegedly disarmed by the man who then turned the weapon against him.
"I was screaming and my teenage son ran out with a chair to help but he was attacked too," a shaken Ms Lawrence said soon after the incident.
"My husband was hit in the nose and he got a broken tooth. There was blood everywhere, it was horrible. I was scared he was going to kill us."
Ms Lawrence said the incident began about 2pm in Foster St, Leichhardt, when the man pulled out in front of the couple's car, causing Mr Lawrence to sound his horn.
"This guy pulled out in front of us and we had to hit our brakes," she said.
"We beeped our horn and went around him.
"We drove up to the next set of lights and we realised he was behind us, beeping, yelling and waving his arms.
"He was shouting 'get out of the car, get out of the car'.
"He followed us through the streets. Three times he tried to cut us off. I was screaming, I was panicking.
"I was saying to Matt, 'just drive, don't stop, drive to the police station' but he said 'no, we have to get home'.
"We stopped and the guy got out of the car after us.
"Matt ran inside and got a cricket bat and ran back out.
"But the guy just took the cricket bat off him and used it on him."
Ms Lawrence wrote the vehicle's registration number on her hand and the driver was stopped by police at Balmain a short time later.
Ambulance officers were called to the scene but were not required to treat Mr Lawrence for his injuries.
Police confirmed they took a statement from the man involved in the incident but he was released without charge.
Inspector Ken Blackett said the investigation could go no further until Mr or Mrs Lawrence gave a statement to officers – something the couple was reluctant to do yesterday.
Mrs Lawrence said she feared for her family's safety and wanted to consider her position before making a statement.
"We want to talk and think about it because we're worried. We've got three kids here, so when you think about charging someone, you've got to think about repercussions," she said.
Insp Blackett said further inquiries would be made if Mr or Mrs Lawrence were willing to speak to police.
"We're inviting them to come and give us a statement. We've already got the other person, we've identified who it is and we've got it on paper," he said.
"For an investigation, we need to get a statement from both parties involved."
Last night, Insp Blackett urged the couple to contact police and make a statement.
He said Mr Lawrence had been in an agitated state and had earlier left the station without giving his side of the story.
"If he calms down with his wife and comes in we could investigate it but at the moment he is not in a position to put his thoughts down on paper for us," Insp Blackett said.
"He's just got to settle down and come back in a reasonable manner and we'll get a statement off him. Until he's prepared to give us a statement, we've got nothing to act on."
The quiet, tree-lined Annandale street where the alleged road rage attack occurred showed signs of the violence, with several spots of what appeared to be blood leading from the roadway to the Lawrence's front door step.
The cricket bat allegedly used in the incident was standing against the wall in the hallway of the house.
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AussieMark
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**From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) **
Clover won't face the music
December 16, 2004
A TECHNO version of our national anthem will stay part of Sydney's New Year Eve celebrations despite national outrage about its inclusion.
Prime Minister John Howard led the chorus of discontent, lambasting the modern version as "terrible".
The event's creative director, Leo Schofield, defended the three-minute section but was left to front the media alone, most notably without Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Ms Moore refused to comment on the issue which has again landed her in hot water, with politicians and members of the public alike saying it was "typical Clover".
Mr Schofield faced the music but denied he was the sacrificial lamb for the controversy. "The decision about the music which appears to have been blown into this enormous event is mine," he said.
"I have the courage of my convictions. I'm very happy to get up and defend, or explain, my concepts and that of my colleagues.
"We haven't gone out to be provocative. We've gone out to be inspiring and I think that's exactly what will happen."
Mr Schofield said it was good to see people debating the inclusion of the anthem because it was the job of the arts to inspire discussion.
"But I do ask everybody with typical Aussie generosity to wait until they see the whole picture rather than just judging a tiny little fragment of it," he said.
The PM led the criticism yesterday, which was backed by thousands of callers to talkback radio stations around the country.
"I have a very strong view that the national anthem should be sung and played in a way that facilitates maximum audience participation . . . and nobody can sing along to that, can you?
"It's better not to play it. It is after all our national anthem and I don't think it should be played around with," Mr Howard said.
Khamal, who has sung the anthem for nearly 20 years, said it was shocking.
"If it's to go with fireworks then it may fit it in context, but I wouldn't mind if I never heard it again," he said.
Singer Julie Anthony, who is also a frequent singer of the anthem, described it as "a Barbie doll having a fit" and said it should always be sung with heart and soul.
Acting NSW Premier Andrew Refshauge also weighed into the debate, saying such a radical reworking of the national anthem should not be forced on people at New Year's Eve.
But the new tune did win some support.
Former Wallaby skipper John Eales said while the national anthem was very important to him and to the Australian culture, he didn't think the techno version was such a big deal.
"It's not as if we are changing the words, we're probably just stylising something for a particular event," Mr Eales said.
Australian Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer agreed.
"There is obviously a tradition that goes with the anthem and it would be naive to change it lightly," he said.
"But for a special event from time to time, to give it a more modern appeal, then it is probably not harmful to the heritage of the anthem itself."
Clover won't face the music
December 16, 2004
A TECHNO version of our national anthem will stay part of Sydney's New Year Eve celebrations despite national outrage about its inclusion.
Prime Minister John Howard led the chorus of discontent, lambasting the modern version as "terrible".
The event's creative director, Leo Schofield, defended the three-minute section but was left to front the media alone, most notably without Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Ms Moore refused to comment on the issue which has again landed her in hot water, with politicians and members of the public alike saying it was "typical Clover".
Mr Schofield faced the music but denied he was the sacrificial lamb for the controversy. "The decision about the music which appears to have been blown into this enormous event is mine," he said.
"I have the courage of my convictions. I'm very happy to get up and defend, or explain, my concepts and that of my colleagues.
"We haven't gone out to be provocative. We've gone out to be inspiring and I think that's exactly what will happen."
Mr Schofield said it was good to see people debating the inclusion of the anthem because it was the job of the arts to inspire discussion.
"But I do ask everybody with typical Aussie generosity to wait until they see the whole picture rather than just judging a tiny little fragment of it," he said.
The PM led the criticism yesterday, which was backed by thousands of callers to talkback radio stations around the country.
"I have a very strong view that the national anthem should be sung and played in a way that facilitates maximum audience participation . . . and nobody can sing along to that, can you?
"It's better not to play it. It is after all our national anthem and I don't think it should be played around with," Mr Howard said.
Khamal, who has sung the anthem for nearly 20 years, said it was shocking.
"If it's to go with fireworks then it may fit it in context, but I wouldn't mind if I never heard it again," he said.
Singer Julie Anthony, who is also a frequent singer of the anthem, described it as "a Barbie doll having a fit" and said it should always be sung with heart and soul.
Acting NSW Premier Andrew Refshauge also weighed into the debate, saying such a radical reworking of the national anthem should not be forced on people at New Year's Eve.
But the new tune did win some support.
Former Wallaby skipper John Eales said while the national anthem was very important to him and to the Australian culture, he didn't think the techno version was such a big deal.
"It's not as if we are changing the words, we're probably just stylising something for a particular event," Mr Eales said.
Australian Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer agreed.
"There is obviously a tradition that goes with the anthem and it would be naive to change it lightly," he said.
"But for a special event from time to time, to give it a more modern appeal, then it is probably not harmful to the heritage of the anthem itself."
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AussieMark
- Category 5
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- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 6:36 pm
- Location: near Sydney, Australia
**From The Herald Sun (Melbourne) **
18-year minimum for rapist, murderer
16dec04
A MAN who raped and murdered a girl because she would not sleep with him was yesterday sentenced to at least 18 years behind bars.
But before jailing Mark John Oswell, Justice Robert Osborn praised prison officers who last week stopped Rachael Lorraine Lawton's family from assaulting the killer.
Ms Lawton's mother screamed, "I f---ing hate you," before throwing herself at Oswell in the Supreme Court dock.
Justice Osborn thanked the two prison officers who held distraught relatives at bay.
"I wish to acknowledge and thank them for their prompt and courageous behaviour in the unfortunate incident," Justice Osborn said. "I will be seeking to improve security arrangements."
Justice Osborn said investigations into contempt of court by the family were under way.
By yesterday, anger had turned to grief.
Scores of relatives and friends cried as the judge described Ms Lawton's death, which he said "could scarcely have been more terrifying or sickening".
Oswell kept his head bowed throughout the sentence. He did not look up even when an elderly relative of Ms Lawton pointed his finger and said, "I hope you burn in hell".
Ms Lawton, 19, had a platonic relationship with Oswell, 27, and had been at a Cranbourne hotel with him the night before she died on February 21.
When they returned to his parents' Cranbourne home, Ms Lawton told Oswell she would not have sex with him and asked to be driven to Frankston.
Oswell told police he just snapped.
"It seems this was not the first occasion on which the deceased had rejected your advances at the end of a night, and on that occasion you felt like you were being used for transport and were not going to put up with it," Justice Osborn told him.
Oswell raped Ms Langton and tried to strangle her before taking her to swampland in Cannons Creek -- about 10km south of Cranbourne.
There he slit her throat, stabbed her at least 15 times and dumped her body in the water.
Oswell was arrested three days later. He initially denied his involvement but later pleaded guilty to rape and murder.
Justice Osborn said Oswell acted in a self-centred and brutal fashion.
He jailed Oswell for a maximum of 23 years.
18-year minimum for rapist, murderer
16dec04
A MAN who raped and murdered a girl because she would not sleep with him was yesterday sentenced to at least 18 years behind bars.
But before jailing Mark John Oswell, Justice Robert Osborn praised prison officers who last week stopped Rachael Lorraine Lawton's family from assaulting the killer.
Ms Lawton's mother screamed, "I f---ing hate you," before throwing herself at Oswell in the Supreme Court dock.
Justice Osborn thanked the two prison officers who held distraught relatives at bay.
"I wish to acknowledge and thank them for their prompt and courageous behaviour in the unfortunate incident," Justice Osborn said. "I will be seeking to improve security arrangements."
Justice Osborn said investigations into contempt of court by the family were under way.
By yesterday, anger had turned to grief.
Scores of relatives and friends cried as the judge described Ms Lawton's death, which he said "could scarcely have been more terrifying or sickening".
Oswell kept his head bowed throughout the sentence. He did not look up even when an elderly relative of Ms Lawton pointed his finger and said, "I hope you burn in hell".
Ms Lawton, 19, had a platonic relationship with Oswell, 27, and had been at a Cranbourne hotel with him the night before she died on February 21.
When they returned to his parents' Cranbourne home, Ms Lawton told Oswell she would not have sex with him and asked to be driven to Frankston.
Oswell told police he just snapped.
"It seems this was not the first occasion on which the deceased had rejected your advances at the end of a night, and on that occasion you felt like you were being used for transport and were not going to put up with it," Justice Osborn told him.
Oswell raped Ms Langton and tried to strangle her before taking her to swampland in Cannons Creek -- about 10km south of Cranbourne.
There he slit her throat, stabbed her at least 15 times and dumped her body in the water.
Oswell was arrested three days later. He initially denied his involvement but later pleaded guilty to rape and murder.
Justice Osborn said Oswell acted in a self-centred and brutal fashion.
He jailed Oswell for a maximum of 23 years.
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AussieMark
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- Location: near Sydney, Australia
**From The Courier Mail (Brisbane) **
Driving age to drop but bans on big cars likely
QUEENSLAND'S legal driving age is likely to be lowered to 16 but beginners could be banned from driving high-powered vehicles.
State Transport and Roads Minister Paul Lucas yesterday foreshadowed reducing the driving age from 16.5 to 16, bringing Queensland in line with other states, to ensure young drivers have more experience before obtaining their P-plates.
"We are the odd person out here and if that encourages a young person to get another 30, 40, or 50 hours driving experience prior to getting their provisional licence, I am seriously prepared to examine that," he said.
"The fatality rate on learners is tiny compared to any other sort of licence because they are under supervision. When you look at provisional licences, for the first six months, it (death rate) is enormous."
Mr Lucas said all options would be considered in a bid to stop young people dying on Queensland roads.
"I am prepared to look at everything," he said.
Mr Lucas made the commitment after a landmark summit on driver safety in Canberra – an initiative of Federal Transport Minister John Anderson.
At the summit, New South Wales Minister Carl Scully said P-platers would be banned early next year from driving high-performance vehicles for the first 12 months.
Mr Lucas said Queensland's Travelsafe Committee rejected the idea several years ago, but it was worth revisiting.
"I will be looking at initiatives throughout Australia and elsewhere to see what is appropriate," he said.
Mr Lucas also expressed disappointment that Queensland was overlooked for the Federal Government's P-plate trial.
Starting early next year, 14,000 young drivers in NSW and Victoria will undertake a special driver training course, with the hope of expanding it nationally.
"I would have liked us to participate in the trial and I will take it further with them," he said.
Between 1999 and 2003, 402 young drivers aged 17 to 24 were killed on Queensland roads and 7095 were injured or hospitalised.
Young people represent 11 per cent of Queensland's population, but last year accounted for 27 per cent of road fatalities at an estimated cost of $657 million.
RACQ general affairs manager Gary Fites endorsed the prospect of beginner drivers spending longer on L-plates.
He said it was at least as valuable, if not more valuable than a "short, sharp driving course".
"Lots of people are getting their licences with no more than 30 hours driving experience, when the experts are talking about 100 to 120 hours of supervised driving before they go for their licences," he said.
"We would like to see a lot more emphasis on that end of it while the kids are driving under supervision.
"Let them get a range of experience under a diverse range of conditions."
Driving age to drop but bans on big cars likely
QUEENSLAND'S legal driving age is likely to be lowered to 16 but beginners could be banned from driving high-powered vehicles.
State Transport and Roads Minister Paul Lucas yesterday foreshadowed reducing the driving age from 16.5 to 16, bringing Queensland in line with other states, to ensure young drivers have more experience before obtaining their P-plates.
"We are the odd person out here and if that encourages a young person to get another 30, 40, or 50 hours driving experience prior to getting their provisional licence, I am seriously prepared to examine that," he said.
"The fatality rate on learners is tiny compared to any other sort of licence because they are under supervision. When you look at provisional licences, for the first six months, it (death rate) is enormous."
Mr Lucas said all options would be considered in a bid to stop young people dying on Queensland roads.
"I am prepared to look at everything," he said.
Mr Lucas made the commitment after a landmark summit on driver safety in Canberra – an initiative of Federal Transport Minister John Anderson.
At the summit, New South Wales Minister Carl Scully said P-platers would be banned early next year from driving high-performance vehicles for the first 12 months.
Mr Lucas said Queensland's Travelsafe Committee rejected the idea several years ago, but it was worth revisiting.
"I will be looking at initiatives throughout Australia and elsewhere to see what is appropriate," he said.
Mr Lucas also expressed disappointment that Queensland was overlooked for the Federal Government's P-plate trial.
Starting early next year, 14,000 young drivers in NSW and Victoria will undertake a special driver training course, with the hope of expanding it nationally.
"I would have liked us to participate in the trial and I will take it further with them," he said.
Between 1999 and 2003, 402 young drivers aged 17 to 24 were killed on Queensland roads and 7095 were injured or hospitalised.
Young people represent 11 per cent of Queensland's population, but last year accounted for 27 per cent of road fatalities at an estimated cost of $657 million.
RACQ general affairs manager Gary Fites endorsed the prospect of beginner drivers spending longer on L-plates.
He said it was at least as valuable, if not more valuable than a "short, sharp driving course".
"Lots of people are getting their licences with no more than 30 hours driving experience, when the experts are talking about 100 to 120 hours of supervised driving before they go for their licences," he said.
"We would like to see a lot more emphasis on that end of it while the kids are driving under supervision.
"Let them get a range of experience under a diverse range of conditions."
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AussieMark
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**From The Courier Mail (Brisbane) **
Toad plague threatening 'clean' island
RANGERS fear cane toads may have started to establish on Moreton Island, one of the few places not overrun by the environmental pests.
In the past two months, two campers and a ranger have found toads.
All three were in The Wrecks and Ben-Ewa camping areas halfway up the western side of the island, near the Tangalooma tourist resort.
Toads were first reported on the island in 1987 and were thought to have hitched a ride in building material.
They have been known to live up to 16 years in captivity.
They also were spotted the following year at a Tangalooma building site and in 1993.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is looking at setting up a toad-watch monitoring program to find out whether toads have become established.
Bob Young, of Gaythorne, found a carpet python swallowing a toad near the Tangalooma Wrecks campsite two weeks ago. The snake died from the toad's venom.
"Having toads on the island is a bit of a disaster," Mr Young said.
"It was a bloody nice snake."
Mr Young said he tried to contact rangers about the toad and left a note on their door but was disappointed no one responded.
A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman said rangers had not been able to respond before Mr Young had left the island.
Most toad reports over the years had been from the southern end of the island, although it did not necessarily mean they had established.
The service was asking visitors, especially freight transporters and builders, to carefully check loads to ensure they were toad-free.
The biggest threat was through importation of large numbers of tiny juvenile toads in material such as pine bark.
Residents and visitors should report any sightings or sounds of toads to the Cleveland office on 3821 9000.
Island animals threatened by the toad include spotted black, red-bellied black, rough-scaled and marsh snakes, the wallum froglet, rock frog and tree frog.
Toad plague threatening 'clean' island
RANGERS fear cane toads may have started to establish on Moreton Island, one of the few places not overrun by the environmental pests.
In the past two months, two campers and a ranger have found toads.
All three were in The Wrecks and Ben-Ewa camping areas halfway up the western side of the island, near the Tangalooma tourist resort.
Toads were first reported on the island in 1987 and were thought to have hitched a ride in building material.
They have been known to live up to 16 years in captivity.
They also were spotted the following year at a Tangalooma building site and in 1993.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is looking at setting up a toad-watch monitoring program to find out whether toads have become established.
Bob Young, of Gaythorne, found a carpet python swallowing a toad near the Tangalooma Wrecks campsite two weeks ago. The snake died from the toad's venom.
"Having toads on the island is a bit of a disaster," Mr Young said.
"It was a bloody nice snake."
Mr Young said he tried to contact rangers about the toad and left a note on their door but was disappointed no one responded.
A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman said rangers had not been able to respond before Mr Young had left the island.
Most toad reports over the years had been from the southern end of the island, although it did not necessarily mean they had established.
The service was asking visitors, especially freight transporters and builders, to carefully check loads to ensure they were toad-free.
The biggest threat was through importation of large numbers of tiny juvenile toads in material such as pine bark.
Residents and visitors should report any sightings or sounds of toads to the Cleveland office on 3821 9000.
Island animals threatened by the toad include spotted black, red-bellied black, rough-scaled and marsh snakes, the wallum froglet, rock frog and tree frog.
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AussieMark
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- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 6:36 pm
- Location: near Sydney, Australia
**From The Sunday Times (Perth) **
Man guilty of shotgun murder
16dec04
A WEST Australian man has been found guilty of murdering a woman who died in the arms of her sister when blasted with a shotgun at point-blank range.
A jury in the West Australian Supreme Court yesterday found Russell James Dennis Mitchell, 33, guilty of murdering 21-year-old Ashleigh Mahon by shooting her as she sat in a car in the Perth suburb of Warnbro on August 18 last year.
Mitchell fled after the shooting and evaded police during a 13-hour crime spree.
After a trial of almost two weeks in the WA Supreme Court, the jury deliberated for two hours before rejecting Mitchell's claim it was not his finger on the trigger when the gun fired.
Ms Mahon's family is believed to have begun legal action against the state because Mitchell was on parole at the time of the murder.
Immediately after the guilty verdict, Mitchell pleaded guilty to nine further charges arising from the same series of events.
He will be sentenced on March 2 on three counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, two counts of kidnapping, one count of deprivation of liberty and one count of threatening with intent to influence.
A minimum term for his sentence for murder will also be set on that date.
Mitchell's trial before Justice Nicholas Hasluck began on December 2, when the jury was told Ms Mahon died in her sister's arms after a drug dispute escalated into violence.
During the trial, Mitchell admitted pointing the weapon at the face of Craig Kalin, who was seated in the front passenger seat of the car, but said his hand was on the grip when Mr Kalin grabbed the gun and it went off, killing Ms Mahon.
Prosecutor Phil Urquhart told the court Mitchell and his friend Troy Adamson suspected Mr Kalin of spreading rumours that Adamson - who has been jailed for his role in the incident - was a police informant.
After an argument earlier in the day, the men met again about 11pm and Mitchell pointed the shotgun into the car, putting both Mr Kalin and Ms Mahon in the firing line.
"When (Ms Mahon's sister) Rosina saw what was happening, she yelled to her sister to drive off. But things happened so quickly that Ashleigh Mahon never got the chance," Mr Urquhart told the court.
After the shooting, Mitchell fled with the shotgun and staged a three-hour home invasion in Warnbro before fleeing the house in a getaway car.
He went on to carjack an 18-year-old woman in Secret Harbour, 70km south of Perth, later dumping both her and the car before stealing a 1989 Toyota Tarago van which he also abandoned a short time later.
Mitchell then kidnapped a 16-year-old girl and took her to a Thornlie house where he called a taxi. He was arrested in the cab.
During the trial, Mitchell admitted being a drug user and a career criminal with convictions for burglary, theft, deprivation of liberty and armed robbery.
Man guilty of shotgun murder
16dec04
A WEST Australian man has been found guilty of murdering a woman who died in the arms of her sister when blasted with a shotgun at point-blank range.
A jury in the West Australian Supreme Court yesterday found Russell James Dennis Mitchell, 33, guilty of murdering 21-year-old Ashleigh Mahon by shooting her as she sat in a car in the Perth suburb of Warnbro on August 18 last year.
Mitchell fled after the shooting and evaded police during a 13-hour crime spree.
After a trial of almost two weeks in the WA Supreme Court, the jury deliberated for two hours before rejecting Mitchell's claim it was not his finger on the trigger when the gun fired.
Ms Mahon's family is believed to have begun legal action against the state because Mitchell was on parole at the time of the murder.
Immediately after the guilty verdict, Mitchell pleaded guilty to nine further charges arising from the same series of events.
He will be sentenced on March 2 on three counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, two counts of kidnapping, one count of deprivation of liberty and one count of threatening with intent to influence.
A minimum term for his sentence for murder will also be set on that date.
Mitchell's trial before Justice Nicholas Hasluck began on December 2, when the jury was told Ms Mahon died in her sister's arms after a drug dispute escalated into violence.
During the trial, Mitchell admitted pointing the weapon at the face of Craig Kalin, who was seated in the front passenger seat of the car, but said his hand was on the grip when Mr Kalin grabbed the gun and it went off, killing Ms Mahon.
Prosecutor Phil Urquhart told the court Mitchell and his friend Troy Adamson suspected Mr Kalin of spreading rumours that Adamson - who has been jailed for his role in the incident - was a police informant.
After an argument earlier in the day, the men met again about 11pm and Mitchell pointed the shotgun into the car, putting both Mr Kalin and Ms Mahon in the firing line.
"When (Ms Mahon's sister) Rosina saw what was happening, she yelled to her sister to drive off. But things happened so quickly that Ashleigh Mahon never got the chance," Mr Urquhart told the court.
After the shooting, Mitchell fled with the shotgun and staged a three-hour home invasion in Warnbro before fleeing the house in a getaway car.
He went on to carjack an 18-year-old woman in Secret Harbour, 70km south of Perth, later dumping both her and the car before stealing a 1989 Toyota Tarago van which he also abandoned a short time later.
Mitchell then kidnapped a 16-year-old girl and took her to a Thornlie house where he called a taxi. He was arrested in the cab.
During the trial, Mitchell admitted being a drug user and a career criminal with convictions for burglary, theft, deprivation of liberty and armed robbery.
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