Govt embarrassed over Huawei: Labor

Labor says confusion over the coalition government's stance on Huawei's NBN ban is embarrassing. Source: AAP

CONFUSION over whether or not the coalition government would back a ban on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei tendering for work on the NBN was "amateurish and somewhat embarrassing", a senior Labor MP says.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott ruled out overturning the ban this week, despite his Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Trade Minister Andrew Robb earlier indicating it could be reviewed.

The former Labor government instituted the ban based on security advice from spy agencies ASIO and the Defence Intelligence Organisation.

Matt Thistlewaite, Labor's shadow parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, said Mr Turnbull and Mr Robb were guilty of dangling a carrot in front of the Chinese telco.

"Having Tony Abbott and the Attorney General George Brandis come out and put paid to those arguments I think was a little bit amateurish and somewhat embarrassing for this government," Mr Thistlewaite told Sky News on Saturday.

"I have no argument with the approach that they've taken in terms of the outcome of the policy. The issue I have with is the comments of Andrew Robb and Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the decision being made."

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man injured in Bathurst ute roll

A man has sustained serious head injuries in a ute accident in NSW, police say. Source: AAP

A MAN has sustained serious head injuries in a ute accident on a private property south of Bathurst, NSW.

Police say the ute rolled at a property at Perthville about 4.30am (AEDT) on Saturday.

A 29-year-old local man who'd been travelling in the ute tray was thrown from the vehicle and suffered serious head injuries.

He's been airlifted to Westmead Hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.

The driver, a 33-year-old man from North Richmond, was taken to Bathurst Hospital with suspected rib injuries.

His front-seat passenger, a 29-year-old man from Pokolbin, escaped with bruising.

Police will interview the men once they are deemed well enough.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Japan, Russia to expand defence ties

JAPAN and Russia have held their first high-level defence and diplomatic talks and agreed to step up cooperation between their militaries amid regional security concerns such as North Korea and China.

News+

Oops! Please register or log in to continue. (It's quick, easy and free.) Continue

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney Ferries rejects PETA advertisement

Sydney Ferries has knocked back an ad by PETA showing sheep jammed into a filthy stall on a ship. Source: AAP

COMMUTERS are missing out on a chance to relate to live-export animals after Sydney Ferries knocked back a confronting PETA advertisement, the activist group says.

The animal rights group says Sydney Ferries rejected its explicit advertisement showing sheep jam-packed in "filthy stalls" aboard a ship.

The ad reads "Their Commute Is a Real Killer. Ban Live-Animal Export".

In a statement, a Transport NSW spokesman explained contentious or offensive advertising was not permitted.

"Under the contract between Transport for NSW and Harbour City Ferries, the operator must not advertise or permit advertising 'political, religious or other subject matter which is contentious or offensive'," he said.

PETA Australia campaign co-ordinator Claire Fryer said the ad was not particularly graphic.

"It's obviously confronting to see the reality these animals live in," she told AAP.

"However, this is the reality of live-exports."

Ms Fryer said PETA was looking for the same space as any paying advertiser would.

"It's taking away the chance for commuters to relate to the animals," Ms Fryer said.

It was the first time a PETA advertisement of the type had been rejected, she added.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney cafe's stolen animals found in Vic

TWO beloved farm animals stolen from a busy Sydney cafe in a midnight break and enter have been found in Victoria.

Police confirmed a pig, dubbed Kevin Bacon, and Bradley the sheep, which were taken from The Grounds at Alexandria earlier this month, have turned up at a vet in Victoria.

In a statement on Monday night, NSW Police said officers had been told the animals were dropped off at a sanctuary near the Victorian town of Orbost on October 16.

The sanctuary then took the animals to a veterinarian for treatment.

NSW Police were told on Monday that the animals had been found.

The Grounds launched a public appeal for its two resident animals after they were taken on October 7.

CCTV footage from the cafe, which includes a large garden area and farm animal pen, shows three people taking the animals at 1am.

A $7000 reward was offered in the search for Kevin Bacon and Bradley.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man fractures face in boat backflip

How bus ended up embedded in house

UPDATE: Details have emerged of the chain of events that resulted in a bus ploughing into a house on Brisbane's bayside, injuring nine.

Freak accident as roo kills girl, 6

A FREAK accident in which a kangaroo was catapulted through the windscreen of a car, killing a little girl, underlines the hazards of Australian country roads, say police.

'Abducted' boy, 2, found interstate

UPDATE: A two-year-old boy has been found interstate after he was taken from his home at the weekend, sparking a child abduction alert.

Delay in brother 'bikies' bail bid

TWO alleged Hells Angels kingpins charged with over a $2.5m drug ring still in custody as lawyer works on bail bid to beat new gang laws.

Conman sends news of location

PETER Foster has sent photos of himself with Fijian newspapers to prove he has fled Australia.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Royal couple return home after Sydney tour

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary will fly out of Sydney on Tuesday after a jam-packed tour. Source: AAP

DANISH royals Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary will fly home on Tuesday after wrapping up a jam-packed Sydney tour.

What began as a trip for the Sydney Opera House's 40th anniversary turned into a visit to a state reeling from a bushfire crisis.

The fire-ravaged Blue Mountains became the impromptu public highlight of the royal couple's busy schedule, which started when they landed in NSW last Tuesday.

Enthusiastic fans greeted Mary and Frederik at each public appearance, including the opening of a Danish jewellery store in Sydney's city centre and a visit to the Australian Twins Registry.

But none were more appreciative than the hundreds of people who gathered in the bushfire-hit town of Winmalee to greet the couple on Sunday.

Swapping their leather boots and cargo pants for elegant attire, the couple attended the Opera House's 40th-anniversary celebrations on Sunday night as the event's official patrons.

Those who did not come face-to-face with the Tasmanian-born princess were still warmed by her visit.

Mary sent 12 bouquets she received from fans on her Sydney tour to cancer patients at the Westmead Hospital Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre.

The couple will attend the Crown Prince Couple Awards at Sydney Opera House on Monday night as the last official function of their trip.

It will be the first time the awards, gifted to the royal couple as a wedding present, have been held outside Denmark.

Mary and Frederik will fly out of Sydney International Airport on Tuesday.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt must justify $9b RBA payment: Bowen

Labor is demanding Treasurer Joe Hockey justify his reasons for giving the Reserve Bank nearly $9bn. Source: AAP

LABOR is demanding Treasurer Joe Hockey justify his reasons for giving the Reserve Bank nearly $9 billion in what it's calling a bid to score "expensive political points".

The federal government this week announced it would make an $8.8 billion payment to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to ensure it was in the best shape to face the financial challenges ahead.

Mr Hockey said RBA governor Glenn Stevens had written to him indicating the bank wanted to boost its reserve funds, which had been depleted in recent years by the high dollar and "extraordinary" dividend withdrawals by the former Labor government.

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen called on Mr Hockey to publicly release this letter, saying the government was trying to score "expensive political points" instead of justifying its decision.

"If he can't, then he's got something to hide," he told Network Ten on Sunday.

There was a case for allowing the RBA to build up its reserve funds but Mr Hockey had come nowhere near justifying how this payment was necessary, he added.

Mr Bowen said at no point did he or former treasurer Wayne Swan receive advice from the RBA or Treasury suggesting it would be appropriate for such a payment to be made.

"On the contrary, the former Treasurer received explicit advice that that would be a retrograde step," he said.

Labor has also questioned Mr Hockey's other decision this week to seek parliamentary approval to raise the debt ceiling to $500 billion.

Mr Bowen said the treasurer would have to release the midyear economic forecast before putting the legislation to raise the cap to a vote in parliament.

"I don't believe he's come anywhere near yet justifying that extraordinary increase to the debt limit," he said.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Royals turn out for Opera House 40th

Reynolds takes maiden V8 win

LIVE BLOG: David Reynolds takes his maiden V8 win with Dean Canto at the Armor All Gold Coast 600. Re-live the action here!

Amazing underwater machine gun

RUSSIA has invented an amphibious machine gun. It could be the perfect weapon for security forces at the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics.

Why you are living pay cheque to pay cheque

YOU earn a decent wage so why do you still find yourself stretching each month's pay to the last dollar? Is is financial irresponsibility, the high cost of living, or something else?

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy killed in SA playground accident

A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy has died in a playground accident in South Australia's mid-north.

Ambulance crews were called to Farrell Flat, about 20 kilometres west of Clare, after a metal slippery dip overturned and fell on the child about 5pm (CDT) on Sunday.

The boy, from Clare, was treated at the scene but died from his injuries.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and officers were preparing a report for the South Australian state coroner.

20.08 | 0 komentar | Read More