Boy charged after police chase

A 16-year-old boy was charged with a string of traffic offences after a brief pursuit with police on Friday night.

Police allege the boy was driving towards a booze bus in East Victoria Park at about 10pm when he turned down a side street and fled a waiting police car.

Officers engaged in a pursuit but say they called it off a short time later for safety reasons.

They later found the vehicle crashed in Apollo Way, Carlisle, where they took a 16-year-old Maddington boy into custody.

He will face court on December 19, charged with No Authority to Drive, Reckless Driving and Fail to Stop When Called Upon.
 

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Boy flown to Perth after go-kart crash

A 12-year-old boy was airlifted to Perth with serious injuries after crashing his go-kart on a private property in Northam on Friday night.

The boy was driving the go-kart when he collided with an off-road motorcycle just after 6pm.

The RAC Rescue helicopter took the boy to the Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, where he was then transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital.

He remained in a serious condition yesterday.

Police are investigating the crash.
 

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Aussies less educated than Kiwis

The report was designed to help identify the common elements of effective education that lead to better social outcomes. Source: Herald Sun

AN Aussie, a Kiwi and an Irishman walk into a pub ...

According to the latest rankings in the global education index, it might be Australia's turn to be the butt of the joke, after ranking behind New Zealand, Ireland and ten other countries in a global education index.

Published in a report called The Learning Curve by worldwide education firm Pearson, the index compares the cognitive skills and education attainment of 40 countries.

Finland tops the list, followed by South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

The UK is ranked at number six and New Zealand, Canada and Ireland also rank above Australia, which languishes at 13 in the list.

But we can take comfort in the fact that the United States falls behind Australia at number 17.

Pearson said the report was designed to help policy makers and educators identify the common elements of effective education that lead to better social and economic outcomes.

Pouring money into schools and increased family incomes do have a positive affect on educational outcomes, the report said.

But the more valuable factor was the cultural importance placed on education, as indicated by the results out of Finland, Canada and South Korea.

"On the surface, money and education seem to create a virtuous circle, with rich countries and individuals buying good educations for their children who, in turn, benefit economically," it said.

"A closer look, though, indicates that both higher income levels and better cognitive test scores are the result of educational strategies adopted, sometimes years earlier, independently of the income levels existing at the time."

There was no substitute for having a good teacher, the report added.

"Having a better one is statistically linked not only to higher income later in life but to a range of social results including lower chances of teenage pregnancy and a greater tendency to save for their own retirement," it said.

But the biggest problem was that there is no "universal recipe" for finding them.

The index was based on research carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit, and used Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data.

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Schoolboy, 14, jumps in to stop brawl

Jack Slater, 14, jumps in to pull off one of the alleged attackers from a security guard. Picture: CCTV Source: Supplied

A SCHOOLBOY, 14, stepped in to a "frightening" brawl at a shopping centre and helped pull off one of the alleged thugs who attacked security guards.

Jack Slater has been praised and rewarded for his bravery. Wearing his school uniform, he dived in as shocked shoppers looked on as the brawl ensued at The Mall Chequers in Maidstone, Kent, in the UK, KentOnline reported.

Four security guards were punched, kicked, head-butted and bitten after a group of four men were asked to lave the shopping centre for being drunk and causing a nuisance.

The security guards struggle to control the group of four men who punched, kicked, bit and head-butted them. Picture: CCTV Source: Supplied

Jack, who was with a friend, was given $77 (£50) in shopping vouchers during a special presentation at his school Oakwood Park Grammar.

"The security guards were getting flung around a bit and one of them looked like he was getting overcome," he said at the presentation.

"I ran over and grabbed the shoulders of the person he was struggling with and pulled him away.

"I've never done anything like this before and it was only afterwards I thought, 'I could've been hurt there'.

"My friend tried to stop me and said I was stupid for getting involved but it was a spur of the moment thing."

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses to the brawl. Four men have been arrested and charged.

The security guards try to control the group of four men in the shopping centre in Maidstone, Kent. Picture: CCTV Source: Supplied

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Barnett still unhappy with 'satisfactory' GST

WA Premier Colin Barnett has had few positive things to say about the GST review panel's report. Source: PerthNow

WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett has had few positive things to say about the GST review panel's report, labelling it a missed opportunity.

The panel said the current "horizontal fiscal equalisation'' system, which aims to ensure states and territories have financial capacity to provide services such as education and health of the same standard, was functioning satisfactorily, internally consistent and well established.

The Liberal leader has long pushed for the GST to be distributed on a per capita basis, saying the resources-rich state was being ripped off.

"WA is penalised for having a successful mining industry, and the royalties earned from that, while the revenue other states earn from activities such as gambling is ignored,'' he said.

"Nevertheless, we are pleased the review panel's final report, like its first interim report, appears to recognise that many aspects of the current GST distribution system are broken.''

Mr Barnett said the WA government strongly opposed any interference with the states' flexibility to collect mining royalties, which would undermine their sovereignty and capacity to achieve the best returns for their communities as owners of the minerals.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has repeatedly threatened to penalise states and territories for increasing mining royalties that are creditable under the federal government's controversial mining tax.

The panel said the federal government's design of the mining and petroleum rent taxes had created an opportunity for states to seek to increase their royalty revenue at the expense of the Commonwealth, describing this as "an undesirable and unsustainable situation, which needs to be resolved''.

"The Commonwealth and the states should negotiate an integrated resource charging system, addressing how the revenue is shared between them,'' the panel said.

Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey said those comments represented a rebuke to the Gillard government.

"Only Labor could introduce a tax that raises no money, yet increases Australia's sovereign risk profile, adds record levels of red-tape for business, and still hangs as a threat over successful mining companies,'' Mr Hockey said.

"This is Labor's new low benchmark in public policy.''

WA's Chamber of Commerce and Industry was also critical of the report, saying it had failed to recommend reforms of the scale that were "clearly needed to fix the system''.

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Perth caught behind in Ponting farewell

Ricky Ponting holds a press conference to announce his retirement from international cricket at the WACA in Perth. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

HE'S rated as Australia's second-best batsman behind Bradman - but most of WA could miss out on seeing Ricky Ponting's farewell innings at the WACA.

Cricket broadcaster Channel Nine's commercial arrangement with Cricket Australia means the TV network can only beam the action from the WACA Ground into Perth homes between 3pm and 5.30pm.

Nine has sought special permission from Cricket Australia - via the WACA - to broadcast Ponting's final innings live, should it fall outside the current allotted time.

But Nine's acting general manager Reece Hogan revealed the station was yet to receive the green light.

"At this stage, no permission has been granted," he said.

Mr Hogan said in normal circumstances, live action throughout the day could only be shown if the ground was sold out.

"Our current commercial arrangement with Cricket Australia precludes us from going live against the gate," he said.

"The whole reason behind not going live earlier is if pre-tickets sales determine it's not a sell out then it encourages walk-ups. If there's enough walk ups to make a sell out, we'll then go live.

"We desperately hope the Perth public will get behind Ricky's last Test innings and ensure a WACA sell-out.

"That being the case, we will be live to see a historic innings."

Ponting announced yesterday that the Perth Test against South Africa would be his last.

The former Australian skipper equalled Steve Waugh's national record of 168 Test appearances when he took to the field on day one.

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Nine stalwart departs newsroom for rival

DEPARTING: Veteran newsreader Greg Pearce is set to leave Nine News. Source: PerthNow

VETERAN newsreader Greg Pearce has read his final bulletin at Channel Nine after it was announced he was leaving the network.

PerthNow learned today that Pearce quit Nine News and it is believed he may be moving to the Ten Network.

The network has confirmed that 4.30pm presenter Matt Tinney will take over the 6pm bulletin from Monday.

Pearce has been presenting Nine News in Perth since 2008, becoming the sole anchor after the departure of Dixie Marshall in May last year.

In a statement, Pearce said: "It has been wonderful to bring Nine News into the homes of our loyal viewers for the past five years and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity.

"I would like to thank the Perth news team for their support during my time at Channel Nine. My colleagues are a talented bunch and I wish them well for the future."

It has been a tumultuous time in Perth television recently - earlier this month former Channel Nine news director Adrian Beattie joined the Ten Network as its news editor.

Long-serving news director Chris Hunt recently left the Ten newsroom and Beattie will take on most of his responsibilities as part of his new role.

Ten newsreader Craig Smart was a casualty of the recent axings at Ten but there is speculation he could be headed to Nine.

Nine's news director David Stacey said Pearce would be missed by the entire news team.

"Greg is a seasoned professional who has the respect of every member of the newsroom," he said.

"His humour and easy-going nature will be missed around here."

Stacey said there would be several new faces at Channel Nine Perth in 2013.

"Weather presenter Sally Ayhan will join us in the New Year, with her Nine News co-presenter to be announced soon," he said.

"We thank our Nine News viewers for their support and we'll continue to deliver the best coverage of news and current affairs in WA."

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Woman dies in police custody in Broome

DEATH IN CUSTODY: A police holding cell. File picture Source: The Daily Telegraph

AN ABORIGINAL woman has died in custody at the Broome Police Station.

Detectives from the Internal Affairs Unit have been called in to investigate the death of the 44-year-old woman at the Broome Police Station Lockup early this morning.

A Police Media spokesman said the incident was a "reportable death within the meaning of the Coroners Act'' and the investigation will lead to a report on the circumstances for the State Coroner".

"Police are unable to comment upon the cause of death in advance of the investigation being completed,'' Sgt Gerry Cassidy said.

The name of the deceased will not be released due to cultural reasons.

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Sail authority probe after barge ran aground

OPERATORS of a massive barge that ran aground on the West Australian coastline say they will concentrate on securing the vessel before investigating why it was allowed to sail in a massive storm.

The 90-metre barge, loaded with 1800 tonnes of construction equipment including heavy vehicles, aerosol paint cans, 1000 litres of diesel and 1000 litres of hydraulic fluid, ran aground 3km northwest of the Cervantes town jetty.

Operated by Perth-based Offshore Marine Services Alliance, the company said they had not confirmed who had authorised the ship to sail as a brutal storm battered WA yesterday and last night.

The company said they would be investigating the circumstances in the coming days.

The WA Department of Transport's Oil Spill Response Co-ordination unit is monitoring the barge, which was under contract to oil and gas giant Chevron.

The barge was en route to Barrow Island from Perth when its tug's main tow line broke last night, the department said.

An emergency connection was established in the wild weather conditions and a tow back to shore was started.

The new connection broke early this morning and the barge ran aground.

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Failed push to oust Katanning councillor

A motion calling for the resignation of Katanning councillor Ainslie Evans has been defeated. Source: PerthNow

A WEST Australian shire councillor criticised for not acting on allegations of child sex abuse says she is glad her fellow council members voted not to ask for her resignation.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Peter Blaxell made adverse findings against Katanning shire councillor Ainslie Evans in his September report on sexual abuse against children at state-run hostels, including Katanning's St Andrews Hostel in the 70s and 80s.

He said Ms Evans had "unwittingly contributed'' to the abuse.

Victims had called on her to quit and last night, shire president Richard Kowald put forward a motion calling for her resignation.

"When questioned about whether Cr Evans should resign, I have explained that (neither) council nor staff had any power to force Cr Evans to resign,'' Mr Kowald said in the agenda report.

"When asked if I thought that Cr Evans should resign, I have answered that given that I have received numerous requests from victims and their families for her to resign, and the perceived lack of empathy shown to victims, I believe Cr Evans should resign.''

However, the motion was defeated five votes to three.

Ms Evans said it was a "non-event'' and insisted she had the support of the community.

The agenda report said the Katanning community was "greatly distressed'' at the extent of abuse and would carry the stigma for years to come.

The shire issued an apology in September on behalf of the community to the victims and their families.

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Rising costs force cutbacks at Southdown

Grange Resources have announces cutbacks at its Southdown magnetite project. Source: PerthNow

GRANGE Resources will reduce spending on its $2.9 billion Southdown magnetite project in the state's South-West with 18 people set to lose their jobs.

The WA company blamed rising costs, uncertainty and difficult market conditions for the cut backs.

Grange told shareholders today it would spend $2.5 million on the project in 2013 and would cut staff from 24 to six over the next five months.

"The majority of those, whose positions are to be made redundant under this restructure, will leave the project by the end of December 2012," the company said.

Grange managing director Richard Mehan said the search for a new equity partner to help fund the organisation's 70 per cent stake in the project would continue.

Grange owns a 70 per cent stake in the joint venture project with SRT Australia, which is a Japanese joint venture owned by Sojitz and Kobe Steel, the fourth largest Japanese steel maker.

Mr Mehan also said the project was in a good position to "quickly move to the development phase when market and cost environments are more favourable".

"All tenements, permits and project assets will be maintained in good order until that time," he said.

Shares in the company closed 2.22 per cent, or half a cent, down, at $2.20 today.

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Opposition attacks over travel bill scandal

A senior bureaucrat has been sacked for misuse of a government-issued credit card.

SACKED: WA Planning Commission chairman Gary Prattley has been sacked for using his government credit card to fund travel trips. Source: PerthNow

THE West Australian government needs to explain the cost to taxpayers after a top bureaucrat misused his government-issued credit card, the state opposition says.

It was revealed in parliament today that the chairman of the Planning Commission, Gary Prattley, was fired two days ago.

Mr Prattley was sent on leave after the state opposition alleged he had spent $260,000 on interstate and international travel between April 2009 and August this year.

"It appears WA Labor's concerns have been justified,'' opposition treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt said.

"Western Australians have footed a very large bill on Mr Prattley's behalf, and the Barnett government, after repeatedly denying any wrongdoing, owes them an explanation.''

Mr Wyatt called on the state government to reveal the full extent of inappropriate spending and reveal if Mr Prattley would be required to repay the money.

He said Planning Minister John Day should have responded to the situation sooner and must take responsibility for Mr Prattley's appointment.

"Despite repeated calls from WA Labor, Mr Day failed to apply appropriate scrutiny to Mr Prattley's taxpayer-funded credit card spending,'' Mr Wyatt said.

"The Barnett government's failure to act has left its credibility in tatters.''

The upper house of parliament was told Mr Day had warned Mr Prattley that he faced the axe.

But a letter sent in reply "was not regarded as providing any reasonable basis upon which he could have formed the view that all of the expenditure was appropriate or authorised''.

The Department of Planning's director general Eric Lumsden will assume the chairman's role until April next year, when Mr Prattley's term of office would have expired.

Mr Lumsden will also continue in his current role.

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The Xmas bonus that is bad for business

ON the first day of Christmas, my boss gave to me ... This might well be the tune that workers around the country are starting to silently hum as they eagerly await their Christmas bonus.

Although not all bosses will be humming along with them, rewarding employees at this time of year is actually important, boosting morale and motivating the workforce – both things that are essential for productivity. 

But getting the yearly bonus system wrong could see business owners doing more harm than good. 

Many businesses pay a discretionary bonus based on what they believe an employee deserves and how much they can afford without clearly linking it to business performance.

The problem with this is that if a business goes through a challenging period, making it difficult or impossible to give the yearly bonus, employees could end up feeling ripped off and disillusioned, and may even consider resigning. 

As the cost of staff turnover can be enormous, a well-designed bonus scheme can mean the difference between starting 2013 on track in the black or near dead in the red.  Here's how to develop one.

1. Link bonuses to a scorecard

A smart employee bonus scheme is one that links bonuses to a 'scoreboard' – that is, a well-defined set of parameters that employees help to create and should know throughout the year. The scheme must be tailored to each employee and provide individual, divisional and company goals. 

Having these three levels of goals, rather than just individual goals, helps create a true team culture where people are not only motivated to reach their own targets but are also more likely to work towards collective goals. 

For example, someone selling new homes might have to reach a target number of new homes sold as one of their individual goals.  The division of sales people would then have a total target of homes sold among the team as their divisional goal. 

At a whole-of-business level, the company may have an Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) target - an indicator of a company's profitability - which could be used to create a team bonus pool.

2. Engage employees

It's essential that employees are actively involved in setting their own targets and that they feel these targets are realistic.  

Employees whose roles are 'support' oriented, such as administration, could have their goals linked to the divisional target.  For example, the administration coordinator within a building firm may have goals around the number of days within which a project completes. This ensures that it is in their interest to actively support operational staff and assist them to perform to their peak throughout the year.  

Goals at a business level may require 'open book' management, in which a business shares with its employees all or most of the company's financial information. The business owner needs to work with employees to decide on the one component that has the most impact on the bottom line and use this to define and incentivise goals. 
Very often, it's is employees at the coalface, rather than the management team, who have the solutions to problems faced by a business. This is why employee engagement is so important.

3. Be transparent

It's really all about transparency.  Do you share financial and other information or are you helping create a culture of 'us and them'? 

Commonly, the more confidential financials are, the bigger the gap between management and staff.

Business owners who are willing to share financial information regularly throughout the year give employees a chance to come up with solutions, change behaviours and improve overall performance.

Open book management requires a giant leap of faith for business owners but the potential rewards far outweigh any fear that confidential data will be misused.

4. Thank employees

Lastly, whatever bonus system a business puts in place it's equally important to genuinely thank employees for their contributions throughout the year and to demonstrate a really strong belief in the team.  Remember, leadership is infectious. Ask yourself the question, does your team want to catch what you have got?
 
*Paul Carter is an Authorised Representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS Licence No. 232706.

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TRG raid on house in Belmont

A MAN has been taken into custody after police and armed TRG officers carried out a search warrant for stolen property at a home in Belmont this afternoon.

Police arrived at the property on Katoomba Avenue just after 2pm to carry out the warrant.
 
A police spokesman said TRG officers were on stand-by at the residential address in case firearms were located.
 
Detectives are still searching the home in relation to property offences.

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Woman's desperate photo plea to thieves

A PERTH woman has made a desperate plea for thieves, who broke into her home and stole two thumb drives containing pictures of her late father, to return the items.

The break-in happened on Bradshaw Street in Eden Hill between 9.20pm and 10.20 pm last night and thieves took off with laptops, jewellery and other valuables.

But Scott Pryer, who shares the home with his female flatmate, has pleaded for the thumb drives and a briefcase of qualification certificates to be returned to police.

The thumb drives contain pictures and videos of the "devastated" woman's father, who died a year ago.

"We are just asking for them to be returned to police - the thumb drives are worth less than $10," Mr Pryer said.

"They're of no value to anyone."

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

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Woodley comments don't reflect board: FMG

FMG's Andrew Forrest. Source: AFP

THE chairman of a native title claimant group who criticised Fortescue Metals for pushing its way onto land in WA's Pilbara region doesn't represent the Aboriginal group, the miner says.

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation today claimed that Bruce Woodley, the chairman of breakaway claimant group Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, had backed recent controversial statements made by solicitor Kerry Savas on ABC's 7.30 Report.

Mr Savas, a lawyer who worked for WMYAC and whose fees were paid by Fortescue, claimed the breakaway group was hastily formed to shore up support for the company's Solomon mine at a "rigged'' meeting in Roebourne, Western Australia last year.

YAC claimed in a statement that Mr Woodley was "incensed'' that the WMYAC board had been "stage-managed by Fortescue operatives'', who had a hand in "guiding litigation'' between the rival groups.

Fortescue director of external affairs Deidre Willmott said the company did not know why Mr Woodley made the comments.

"The WMYAC board has advised us that they were not aware that they were being made and do not agree with them,'' Ms Willmott said.

Mr Woodley was not immediately available for comment.

But his nephew Michael Woodley said he imagined his uncle had become disillusioned with Fortescue.

"I haven't spoken to him about this but I can only speculate that he's run the marathon on the FMG promise of prosperity, community wellbeing, employment and training, and other stuff that they put on the table, and nothing's changed in the community,'' Michael Woodley said.

"I see nothing coming through. I live in Roebourne on a day-to-day basis.

"All I see is an FMG agenda in Roebourne that has been abrogated by a few individuals of that breakaway group.''

But Ms Willmott said Fortescue was delivering on its promises.

It had so far provided jobs to 61 people from Roebourne, 14 of whom were living in 11 houses supplied by the company in the town and also in Karratha.

The company was also providing training for "guaranteed jobs'' at its Roebourne facility as its mine expansions ramped up, she said.

Aboriginal people comprised 10.4 per cent of the company's workforce, a figure nearly matched by its contractors, Ms Willmott added.

"We had awarded 80 contracts and subcontracts totalling $546 million to Aboriginal contractors and joint ventures by the end of the September quarter, with a target to increase this to $1 billion by the end of 2013,'' Ms Willmott said.

She also said Mr Savas had been "removed from Roebourne'' after working for WMYAC and was now employed by rival iron ore company Sinostralis Resources.

"He has not disclosed what he or his employer stand to gain from involvement in Yindjibarndi affairs but we assume there is a commercial interest,'' Ms Willmott said.

YAC will hold a press conference about its latest claims in Perth tomorrow.

WMYAC accepted a financial package from Fortescue in exchange for the right to develop the Solomon project after YAC rejected a deal with the mining company, saying it was too low.

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We don't just like brands, we love them

Australian consumers feel emotions close to love when considering which brand to buy, according to a new study.

NEW research claims one in four Australian consumers feel emotions close to love when considering which brand to buy.

And they'll buy a lot more if they do fall in love with a particular product.

A joint study by the University of Wollongong and Murdoch University in Western Australia delved into the feelings of more than 1,000 consumers, and their emotional attachment to brands of beer, petrol, washing powder and coffee.

Dr Steve Bellman, deputy director of the Audience Labs research centre which conducted the study, said emotional branding was becoming a global norm amongst producers and advertisers, with McDonald's and Kodak just two corporations attempting to hook consumers by the heart.

And the study revealed if the emotional attachment to the brand is achieved, it can have a huge benefit for the brand involved.

"Our study shows that when companies tap into consumer's deeper feelings, the payoffs can be substantial,'' Dr Bellman said.

"Emotionally attached consumers purchase substantially more than regular customers.''

The research found full-strength emotional attachment occurred in about 25 per cent of buyers - less in the case of utilitarian products like petrol and laundry detergent.

Research results showed men who felt 'love' for their beer of choice would buy nearly 40 per cent more than the average consumer, while women bonded with washing powder might buy up to 60 per cent more than average.

And emotional branding is just as effective among men as among women.

"Our findings on utilitarian products were surprising, as we don't usually associate petrol and laundry detergent with emotions like companionship and love,'' Dr Bellman said.

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Dramatic arrest - taxi driver pins down woman on run

A woman allegedly involved in a crime spree has been arrested after she was pinned down by a taxi driver.

PINNED DOWN: Vision from a security camera showing the taxi driver apprehending a woman. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

The taxi driver chats with police. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

A WOMAN allegedly involved in robbing two banks and stealing a car has been arrested in Koondoola after she was pinned down by a taxi driver.

Police arrested a 31-year-old woman outside a Koondoola IGA at about 3.30pm this afternoon.

Police believe the woman got into a taxi near Booragoon and forced the driver at knife point to take her to the Koondoola supermarket.

But after she got out, the driver tackled her to the ground and screamed for help as he held her down.

Shop owner Rob Creemers came to his aid after he heard a scream for help in the car park and saw the taxi driver wrestling with the woman.

"I heard a scream and came out of the shop straight away and he was calling for someone to call police and help because she had a knife," Mr Creemers said.

"But everybody was abusing him, telling him to let her go. I helped him hold her down and pulled the knife out of her pocket. It was was one of those army survival knifes.

"She was strong, I've never seen a girl that can fight like that."

The woman, believed to be aged in her 20s, has been on the run from police after an alleged violent crime spree that began at about 7am.

Police believe she threatened a customer with a knife at the Padbury BP Service Station and stole his wallet before driving off in a white ute this morning.

The ute had been stolen two days earlier from contractors carrying out work for Western Power in North Perth.

The vehicle was later involved in a crash in Merriwa, on the corner of Marmion Avenue and Hester Avenue.

Police believe the same woman was involved in a car-jacking in the carpark outside the post office at the Warwick shopping centre just before 10am.

She allegedly threatened a woman in her 60s and took off with her Mazda 3, after dumping the ute.

At about 10.30am, witnesses reported seeing the same silver Mazda 3 fleeing the scene of bank hold-up at Westpac Dianella on the corner of Alexander Drive and Grand Promenade.

PERTH NOW- A woman arrested at IGA Koondoola in connection to a string of armed robberies. PICTURED- Vision from a security camera showing the taxi driver apprehending the woman. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

PERTH NOW- A woman arrested at IGA Koondoola in connection to a string of armed robberies. PICTURED- Vision from a security camera showing the taxi driver apprehending the woman. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

The woman, again described as being in her 20s, took off with a sum of cash. It's not known if a weapon was used in the robbery.

The ANZ Bank at Garden City shopping centre went into lock-down just before midday after yet another robbery.

The same vehicle was seen leaving the shopping centre on Riseley Street, Booragoon.

Police believe that sometime after leaving Booragoon, the woman got into a taxi and forced the driver at knife point to take her to the Koondoola IGA.

When the woman got out of the taxi, the driver called for help and detained the woman with the help of bystanders.

PERTH NOW- A woman arrested at IGA Koondoola in connection to a string of armed robberies. PICTURED- The taxi driver involved, chats with police. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

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Severe weather warning for 'winter' storm

BIG SYSTEM: A Bureau of Meteorology satellite image shows the cold front heading towards WA. Source: PerthNow

WINTRY: A strong cold front is expected to hit Perth tomorrow, bringing a return to wintry conditions. Source: PerthNow

A STRONG cold front approaching Perth and the South West is expected to bring wild weather conditions "similar to a strong winter storm'' including gusts of up to 125km/h.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for coastal areas between Jurien Bay, north of Perth, to Augusta in the south, including the Perth metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton.

The Bureau says a strong cold front will cross the west coast after 11pm tonight and it will include a fast moving line of heavy showers and thunderstorms, with gusts of up to 125km/h possible in southern areas.

Damaging and locally destructive winds are possible and while winds will ease after the front moves through, the Bureau predicts they will strengthen again during Wednesday morning.

The weather system will be strengthened by the combination of a middle level disturbance that is approaching from the west, which will interact with a cold front and low pressure system developing off the west coast.

"The low pressure system will intensify on Wednesday before crossing the southwest of the state, with conditions expected to be similar to a strong winter storm,'' the Bureau forecasts.

The wild weather tipped for tomorrow follows a spectacular series of thunderstorms which swept over Perth late on Saturday, delivering large hail to some northern suburbs, including Sorrento, and dumping 26mm on Perth Airport in just a few minutes of torrential rain, but leaving other suburbs virtually unscathed.

The bad weather will be a blow to school leavers who are gathered in their thousands in the South West and Rottnest Island.

Showers tipped for First Test on Friday

Some showers are forecast for Perth till at least Friday, with the first day of the crucial third Test between Australia and South Africa starting at the WACA on Friday.

The game appears certain to start in less-than-perfect conditions with a forecast maximum of just 22C, with isolated showers tipped until late afternoon. 

Wednesday forecast - Perth area

    Min 15C
    Max 22C
   Cloudy. Scattered showers with damaging winds. Isolated thunderstorms, possibly severe with locally destructive winds. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 55 km/h before turning westerly 40 to 50 km/h during the day then, decreasing to 25 to 40 km/h in the evening.

South-West - Showers and the chance of a storm, windy

 Thursday

    Min 13C
    Max 20C
    Shower or two. Windy.

Partly cloudy. Isolated showers contracting to the southern suburbs later in the evening. Winds westerly 45 to 55 km/h, decreasing to 30 to 35 km/h during the evening.

Friday

    Min 14C
    Max 22C
    Shower or two clearing.

Partly cloudy. Isolated showers until late afternoon. Winds west to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h tending south to southwesterly and becoming light during the day.
 

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Spearwood puppy dealer fined $34,000

A BACKYARD dog dealer has been permanently banned from keeping more than one dog and fined $34,000 after being convicted of 17 animal cruelty charges.

Fay Marie Armstrong, who kept dogs at her home in Spearwood and a rural property, was also ordered to pay court costs of $9507 after charges were brought against her by WA Consumer Protection in Perth Magistrates Court.

The charges followed the execution of a search warrant on two properties in October 2010, which found dogs and puppies in poor health and living in appalling conditions.

The court heard seven dogs were kept in small airline travel crates in one bedroom of the Spearwood property, where there was a strong urine smell and little fresh air.

All the animals were malnourished and dehydrated and one was suffering from a serious eye injury.

At the rural property, inspectors found kennels covered in faeces and water bowls polluted with urine, faeces and dead flies.

WA consumer protection commissioner Anne Driscoll said keeping animals in such conditions was unacceptable.

"We welcome the Courts decision to ban Ms Armstrong from keeping more than one dog which curtails her dog selling activities," Ms Driscoll said.

"We would caution consumers to only deal with reputable breeders and demand to see a veterinarians report or to have pets they plan to purchase examined or certified by a veterinarian to help ensure they are healthy at the time of sale."

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Stomach staple gun 'misfired', inquest told

IT should have been a simple procedure of stomach stapling but about six months after the surgery, Julienne Maria McKay-Hall was dead.

The 46-year-old mother of two underwent the elective surgery at St John of God Hospital in Murdoch, in Perth's south, on November 9, 2007.

Complications from the operation meant Ms McKay-Hall was in and out of hospital for further procedures over the next few months.

On May 18, 2008 she was pronounced brain dead and she died on May 19 - just over six months after her initial operation.

The West Australian coroner is examining the circumstances surrounding Ms McKay-Hall's death, including her health before the procedure, the experience of doctors and how common the procedure was in Australia at the time.

Her sister, Helen Aram, told the inquest today that the family, which included five siblings, a husband and two young children, were still grieving more than four years after their loss.

Reading from a prepared statement, Ms Aram said her sister loved music and her "witty quips'' would often make people smile.

She said her sister had a "bright outlook'' on life and "loved being a mother''.

However, Ms McKay-Hall found it hard to control her weight, Ms Aram said.

Under questioning, Ms Aram said her sister's doctor, Hairul Anuar Ahmad, told her he had to staple the stomach at one point in an "under position'' because the staple gun had misfired.

However, a lawyer for the doctor said his client would give conflicting evidence on that matter when he testified later in the inquest.

Earlier, in his opening address, counsel assisting the coroner Anthony Willinge said Ms McKay-Hall was obese, weighing about 111kg before the initial operation.

He said that in 2007 gastric banding was a common procedure in Australia but the gastric sleeve, commonly known as stomach stapling, was relatively new.

The risk with stomach stapling was that there could be a leak, Mr Willinge said.

Reading from a section of Dr Ahmad's notes, Mr Willinge said because one of the staples did not fire properly, the area was over-sewn and Tiseel glue was used on the staple line.

Following a series of other complications, Ms McKay-Hall was readmitted to hospital on May 12, 2008 for another procedure but died seven days later.

Mr Willinge said a post-mortem examination found heavily congested lungs, coronary heart disease and a hypoxic brain injury.

The cause of death was concluded as complications following cardio-respiratory arrest, in association with an air embolism during a gastroscopy and stenting procedure for a chronic abdominal fistula after a sleeve gastrectomy.

The inquest continues.

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Claims of public defecation at Stereosonic

PUBLIC defecation, urinating and vomiting were reported at yesterday's Stereosonic concert at Claremont Showground.

Town of Claremont chief executive Stephen Goode said: "Comments from residents suggest it was the worst  ever - this from the point of view of the primitive behaviour of people outside the venue."

Mr Goode said the council had photographs of people defecating, urinating and vomiting and also said charter buses and taxis had ignored traffic management plans for the concert.

Claremont has battled for years with concert organisers and showground operator, the Royal Agricultural Society, about anti-social behaviour at events staged at the venue.

Read more at InMyCommunity.com.au

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WA firefighting equipment 'lacking'

POOR EQUIPMENT: WA firefighters are battling poor equipment and budget cuts despite a series of major bushfires.  Source: PerthNow

WESTERN Australia's firefighters are battling dud radios, a lack of basic equipment and budget cuts, despite a succession of devastating bushfires in the past three years, a parliamentary committee has concluded.

Toodyay in 2009, the Perth Hills in 2010 and Margaret River last year suffered huge property losses after devastating fires swept through an increasingly dry and dangerous WA landscape. And with one Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) firefighter already having been killed in a fire in Albany last month, committee chairman Tony O'Gorman said that despite claims of better preparedness there were still major flaws in the state's firefighting capability.

"The government has given extra money to the department (of Fire and Emergency Services) but have then taken a whole heap of that money back,'' Mr O'Gorman said.

"We think that actually does affect frontline services.''

Ahead of what is tipped to be another nightmare bushfire season in 2012, the state government has admitted a combination of a heavy fuel load, a dry winter and expected unhelpful weather threaten more major bushfires.

The committee tasked with investigating WA'S fire readiness concluded that firefighters were being exposed to danger because of a reliance on ancient UHF radios.

One firefighter gave evidence that he now carried five different radios in his cab to talk to different people, and digital radios sometimes failed as soon as pumps left suburban fire stations.

"The WA Emergency Radio Network (WAERN) seems to have significantly degraded performance in the bushfire environment,'' a committee statement said.

"Incredibly ... its performance is affected by both smoke and water vapour, and witnesses (said) they revert to using their older UHF radios.

"Digital upgrades had been deferred due to budgetary constraints.''

The committee also concluded that volunteer firefighters were still waiting for more training and basic equipment, including fire blankets.

It called on Minister for Emergency Services Troy Buswell to institute a database of potential hotspots around the state by the 2013-14 bushfire season and to ensure future post-fire analyses were out within eight weeks of the event.

The committee said a solid policy was needed for how victims of future major natural disasters, such as bushfires, would be compensated.

It called for a review of the ability of that state's insurers to assess losses more quickly.

"The evidence from witnesses highlighted that there has been ad hoc assistance provided by the government for victims of different bushfires over the past three years,'' the committee said.

Mr Buswell said WA was better prepared for this year's bushfire season than it was last year, but noted this season would be a challenge.

"We are, I think, better prepared than we were last year. We'll be better prepared next year,'' he said

"You'd never say we're as prepared as we ever can be because the nature of fire and the nature of response to fire is that you'll always find things that you can do better.''

Mr Buswell said the government was still ``flat out'' responding to other bushfire reports.

There should not be an artificial timeline on post-event analysis, he said.

"We had, what I think, was a well-considered response,'' Mr Buswell said.

"Where there are learnings to be made we'll accept those learnings, but we're not going to just rush the report out because a parliamentary committee decides that's what they think is appropriate.''

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Risk of being attacked by a shark doubles in WA

A shark attack victim has told Nine News how he is still coming to grips with his terrifying ordeal.

Of ten shark fatalities in WA in the past two decades, the most recent five occurred in just over 12 months. Source: Supplied

BEING attacked by a white shark in the waters off Western Australia is a one in a million chance.

That is the conclusion of a major study of every attack on a human by a white shark in WA in the past two decades.

Of the 10 fatalities in that time, the most recent five occurred in just over 12 months. WA's Department of Fisheries on Monday released the results of the second part of a $1.7 million, three-year study - which comes amid an unprecedented spike in deadly shark attacks in the past year.

The five fatal attacks since September 2011 prompted the government to widen the powers of Department of Fisheries boss Stuart Smith to make a ``catch and kill'' order.

The research results have busted some myths about who is most likely to be attacked in the water, and when.

Dr Rick Fletcher, who led the study, said while the risk of being attacked by a shark in WA was still very low, it was increasing.

"We are still talking about a very low risk of attack - but over the 20-year period there has been an increase in shark attacks greater than the increase in population,'' Dr Fletcher said.

The study figures show annual rate of risk of attack has increased from 0.4 per million people in 1995/96 to 1 per million in 2010/11. The rate for 2011-12 was about double the long-term trend at 2 per million.

The belief dawn and dusk are the most likely times for an attack may prove a fallacy. The research shows deeper and cooler water is more risky, but sharks don't seem to care about the time, or the weather, when they attack.

"The lowest level of risk seems to be when you are swimming close to the coast in water temperatures over 22 degrees - but that does not mean there is no risk,'' Dr Fletcher said.

"If you go out thinking that if you avoid dusk and dawn you are at a substantially lower risk, then that is not what the data suggested.

"There was only one shark attack within 30m of the mainland coast, and there was no correlation with wind or rain or overcast conditions.''

Snorkellers and divers have been the targets of the most attacks in WA in the past 20 years, followed by surfers.

Swimmers are the least likely to be killed or injured despite being most prevalent in the water.

Mr Smith said the increased powers to order a shark be caught and killed were nothing to do with a ``cull'', listing specific dangers that would need to be evident for an order to be made.

Surfer Ben Linden, 24, was fatally mauled in July some 180km north of Perth, three months after 33-year-old diver Peter Kurmann was killed by a shark off the southwest coast.

Last year, bodyboarder Kyle Burden, 21, died near Bunker Bay, Bryn Martin, 64, was taken while swimming off Cottesloe, and American George Thomas Wainwright, 32, died after an attack while scuba diving off Rottnest Island.

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Night swimmer sets Rotto first

Aaron Richardson emerges from the water after an overnight swim from Rottnest. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: PerthNow

AARON Richardson's feat of becoming the first person to swim solo from Rottnest Island to Cottesloe at night was so astounding that even his coach and friends doubted he could pull it off.

But the 27-year-old arrived on shore this morning having completed the 20km swim in less than seven hours.

Richardson's coach, Paul Newsome, said he was incredibly proud of the triathlete, who took up the challenge to raise money for Breast Cancer Care WA.

In January, Richardson, who lives in Hamilton Hill but is originally from Noosa in Queensland, lost friend and sporting mentor Samantha Naudin to breast cancer.

He decided to swim from Rottnest to Cottesloe as part of a promise he made to her to get back into triathlons.

So far he has raised more than $20,000.

Newsome said Richardson had to battle a 2m swell and 15-knot winds, as well as the threat of sharks. About 75 per cent of the crew ended up seasick. "He was pretty impressive," Newsome said.

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Perth residents warned to brace for severe storm

A radar picture of the storm over Perth. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology Source: PerthNow

PERTH residents are being warned to brace for a severe thunderstorm which has started to hit northern and eastern suburbs.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning this evening for residents in the metropolitan area, and near York, Dalwallinu and Southern Cross to get ready for damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain and possible flash flooding.

The storms are expected to hit southern Perth suburbs by 6.30pm.

At 5.10pm, BOM's radar imagery showed a line of thunderstorms from Gingin to Mt Helena.

At 5.18pm Gingin had recorded 12.2mm of rain and Dalwallinu recorded 11.6 at 5.35pm.

Large hail has also been reported from a thunderstorm near Moora earlier this afternoon.

Earlier this afternoon, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said they were on standby for callouts from any damage.

The Department advised that people should stay away from trees, powerlines storm water drains and streams if outside, and leave the water if boating, swimming or surfing.

Residents inside are advised to close curtains and blinds,and stay inside away from windows.

If you have any photos of the storm for publication, please email to kaitlyn.offer@news.com.au

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Cops attacked, man tasered in pub brawl

TWO men have been charged following a wild brawl outside an Innaloo pub last night which saw one police officer struck a number of times and another spat in the face.

The brawl erupted outside the pub just after 11pm.

Police were already at the hotel when they witnessed a large brawl outside the main doors involving several people who had been ejected from the hotel.

While attempting to break up the fight, a police officer was allegedly struck a number of times by a 26-year-old man.

This man was eventually restrained after being tasered by police.

Another police officer was also allegedly spat on by a 29-year-old man who had returned to the area after being issued with a move on notice.

A 40-year-old man was treated at the scene by St John Ambulance for injuries he received in the incident.

The 26-year-old man has been charged with disorderly behaviour, obstruct police and assault public officer.

He will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on December 11.

A 29-year-old Doubleview man has been charged with assault public officer and will appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on December 7.

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Tongue bitten off in Butler brawl

A 29-YEAR-old man had part of his tongue bitten off during a fight in Perth's northern suburbs this morning.

The man is in hospital after losing a large part of his tongue in an altercation at a home on Chorley Avenue in Butler about 1am.

The man will undergo surgery to his horrific injuries as soon as possible.

But police have confirmed the part of the man's tongue that was removed in the incident is missing.

Police say the man was at the home when an altercation occurred between him and a group of others.

Two men, both aged 26, who police say live at the Chorley Avenue home, are being questioned by police over the incident.

No charges have been laid.

Acting Detective Sergeant Jamie Paterson of Clarkson Detectives told PerthNow police were still trying to work out exactly what happened to the man's tongue.

"We suspect it was bitten off by another person," Acting Detective Sergeant Paterson said.

"It's a grotesque injury…the tongue is missing, it could not be found.

"We are still getting to the bottom of everything he (the victim) can recollect."

Police are seeking anyone that may have information about the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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