Channel 10 news helicopter crashes

A Channel 10 cameraman has been taken to hospital after a news helicopter crashed in Perth.

The wreckage of the Channel 10 news chopper in Perth. Picture: Twitter/Channel 7 Source: Supplied

THE Channel 10 cameraman who survived a terrifying helicopter crash says "it was like a bad movie'' and he feared that the pilot - whose efforts have been praised - had been killed.

Adam Delmage, 23, said he was hanging outside the chopper, flown by experienced pilot Paul Debenham, filming a truck rollover about 11am in the Swan Valley when ''the engine just quit''. He is understood to have told colleagues that he doesn't want to fly again.

``We started going down and just basically I was filming it so I had to push myself back into the cabin, and just brace myself,'' Mr Delmage told Ten News.

``I just kind of climbed to the top, tried to jump out but the harness was still on so I ripped the cord and jumped out the chopper and I just laid there for a sec and looked up and saw the tail was up one end, the chopper was on its side - and I thought the pilot was dead... I didn't know whether to run back and help him out. I didn't know if it was going to go up in flames.''

But the young cameraman, who was treated for a sore back at Royal Perth Hospital before being discharged yesterday afternoon, said it was lucky he had just recently completed compulsory training.

``I just thought I'm going to survive this - this is not the day,'' he said. ``If I hadn't have done the course, and it wasn't so fresh (in my mind), I just wouldn't have thought to do that but I knew that I had to brace myself.''

Mr Debenham was treated for shock.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Swan District acting officer Jason Welsh said the men were lucky to walk away.

Firefighters were already on the scene to assist with the truck rollover, which occurred about 9.30am. The truck driver was flown to RPH, where he was in a stable condition with broken bones and lacerations.

Mr Welsh said it appeared the pilot had taken the right action and it was lucky emergency services were there.

Heliwest co-founder David Grimes said he was ``beyond relieved'' the pair walked away. He paid tribute to Mr Debenham for ``being able to pull off an emergency landing in extremely difficult terrain''.

``He is a grade one instructor with more than 40 years experience,'' he said. ``There is now an investigative process that takes place under the jurisdiction of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. We'll do what's required to ensure all the questions are answered.''

He said it was the first crash in Heliwest's 21-year history.

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Race to save yachtie in Southern Ocean

Alain Delord, the missing yachtie. Photo: Facebook Source: Supplied

A CRUISE ship is on its way to rescue a solo round-the-world yachtsman who is floating in a life raft in remote waters after abandoning his vessel southwest of Tasmania.

The Frenchman, reported to be 63-year-old Alain Delord who set off at the beginning of October, abandoned his yacht on Friday after it lost its mast and its hull was damaged in rough weather.

He is still battling rough conditions in a life raft as he awaits the arrival of the Orion cruise ship, expected on Sunday afternoon or evening.

The location, about 500 nautical miles southwest of Hobart, is too distant for a helicopter rescue with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) using three aircraft to maintain contact with the sailor until a vessel can reach him.

A language barrier has proven to be an issue in getting information from the Frenchman, although AMSA's Dornier aircraft again made contact with him today and he did not report any injuries.

''We've had a couple of difficulties in actually getting information from him because he doesn't speak English,'' AMSA spokeswoman Jo Meehan said.

The Dornier has also been attempting to gain contact with other vessels 100 nautical miles west of the life raft, but their crews don't speak English and the bad weather has meant the vessels' specific call signs can't be identified.

Translators are on board some of the aircraft, including a French-speaking officer to help communication with the sailor, and a Mandarin interpreter.

Translators have also been helping issue broadcasts and messages from the rescue co-ordination centre in Canberra to vessels in the area.

A second life raft containing communications equipment has been dropped to him.

Ms Meehan said the yachtsman was well equipped with safety gear, including a survival suit but was battling unfavourable conditions including large swells, 30-knot winds and the cold.

The Orion, with 100 passengers and 80 crew on board, was returning from Antarctica and heading for the world heritage-listed Macquarie Island when it responded to the call to help.

It is making a 51-hour journey to reach the location.

''It's such a vast ocean down there and very few people go down there,'' Orion Expedition Cruises spokesman Michael Corbett said.

Ms Meehan said the Orion was the closest vessel and even if a ship had left Hobart, it wouldn't have been able to arrive any sooner.

''We are very grateful to the master and the crew and the passengers of the Orion,'' she said.

She said authorities had the sailor's co-ordinates through the emergency beacon activated at 1pm (AEDT) on Friday, while additional safety and communications equipment has also been dropped to him.

AMSA says an associate of the sailor contacted them early on Friday morning after the yacht was de-masted.

It says it made contact with the sailor but he did not declare he was in distress at the time and was advised to head towards Hobart.

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LIVE: Tomic v Federer

Bernard Tomic goes into tonight's Australian Open clash with Roger Federer as a huge underdog. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

RE-LIVE our rolling coverage of day six of the Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

RE-LIVE BERNARD TOMIC'S BIG CLASH WITH ROGER FEDERER BELOW

12.30am AEDT - SIMON OUSTS MONFILS IN MARATHON

In a battle of the Frenchman, Gilles Simon defeated Gael Monfils in a five-set marathon on Hisense Arena.

Simon took the first two sets 6-4 6-4, before Monfils hit back with the next two, 4-6 1-6.

The final set went the distance, with Simon finally closing it out 8-6 in 94 minutes.

The match lasted almost five hours in total.

And next up for Simon? Andy Murray.

9.16pm AEDT - FEDERER TOO GOOD FOR BERNIE

Bernard Tomic produced his best stuff tonight but it was not good enough as Roger Federer pulled off a 6-4 7-6 6-1 win on Rod Laver Arena.

Tomic played big from the back of the court and stretched Federer in an epic second set, but the Swiss outclassed his younger, less experienced opponent to progress to the fourth round.

8.45pm AEDT - FEDERER LEADING TWO SETS TO LOVE

Roger Federer has taken a 6-4 7-6 lead but Bernard Tomic is playing out of his skin on Rod Laver Arena.

Follow the action with our play-by-play coverage above.

7.45pm AEDT - FEDERER TAKES FIRST SET

Roger Federer has taken the first set 6-4 against Bernard Tomic.

Follow the live coverage in the chat above.

7pm AEDT - CAN TOMIC DO THE UNTHINKABLE?

Bernard Tomic goes into tonight's third round blockbuster against Roger Federer a huge underdog, but confident he can pull off an enormous upset.

Tomic said earlier this week that now was the "perfect time" to take on the Swiss great, with the Australian carrying a run of 10 straight wins into the encounter.

Follow the live coverage of the Rod Laver Arena showdown in the chat above and send your messages of support.

You can also send your tweets to @cam_tomarchio.

6.55pm AEDT - WOZNIACKI TO MEET KUZNETSOVA

Caroline Wozniacki moved into the fourth round with a relatively straightforward 6-4 6-3 win against Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine.

It's welcome news for "Wozzilroy", considering Rory McIlroy failed to make the cut in Abu Dhabi with his new Nike clubs.

Wozniacki will next meet two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round.

5.30pm AEDT - DEL POTRO CRASHES OUT

In the "I need a beer" category falls Andreas Seppi and Jeremy Chardy, who both finished won their five-set matches almost instantaneously.

Seppi, the 21st seed, prevailed in a seesawing affair against 12th seed Marin Cilic, 6-7 6-3 2-6 6-4 6-2.

And Chardy provided the upset of the day, beating sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro after giving up a two sets to love lead.

Del Potro, whose record in five-setters is woeful, lived up to that billing by going down 6-3 6-3 6-7 3-6 6-3.

Jeremy Chardy provided the upset of day six when he downed No.6 seed Juan Martin del Potro. Source: Getty Images

5.27pm AEDT - MURRAY YET TO DROP A SET

Andy Murray is yet to drop a set en route to the fourth round, after dispatching Ricardas Berankis 6-3 6-4 7-5.

Berankis can lay claim to having taking the most games off the world No.3 so far this tournament, and broke the Brit when Murray served for the match at 5-4, but couldn't sustain the effort and was quickly broken back before Murray served it out.

Murray is guaranteed to play a Frenchman in the round of 16, with Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils set to clash later tonight.

And Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had an even easier time of it.

Two days after labouring through his win over Go Soeda, Tsonga steamrolled Blaz Kavcic 6-2 6-1 6-4 to set up another all-French clash against Richard Gasquet.

Considering the scoreline, Andy Murray's victory celebration was uncharacteristically exhuberant. Source: AFP

4.44pm AEDT

They say the best players in the world play the big moments well, and Andy Murray stayed true to the mantra to take a two sets to love lead against Ricardas Berankis.

Berankis was up to the task for most of the second set until the 10th game, when Murray pressed him on serve and broke the Lithuanian to win the set and move one step closer to a fourth-round berth.

If that match isn't doing much for you, try the one between sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro and Jeremy Chardy, which has just entered a fifth set after del Potro was earlier staring down a three-set whitewash.

And Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is mauling Blaz Kavcic on Margaret Court Arena, taking the first two sets 6-2 6-1.

Not that you can blame Kavcic after his almost five-hour epic against James Duckworth on Thursday.

4.19pm - LITTLE TOMIC PASSES FIRST TEST

If you believe in omens, you'll be pumped to know Bernard Tomic's little sister Sara has made a winning start at Melbourne Park, coming from a set down in her first-round girls' singles match.

The 14-year-old Queenslander made a nervous start against 17-year-old Gabriela Pantuckova, dropping the first set, but quickly found her feet to move into the second round with a 2-6 6-2 6-4 result.

Could the youngest Tomic be a lucky charm for big brother Bernie in his match against Roger Federer tonight? Fingers crossed.

Sara Tomic got the Tomic name on the winners' sheet on day six of the Australian Open, ahead of brother Bernard's clash with Roger Federer tonight. Source: Getty Images

4.01pm AEDT

Juan Martin del Potro has finally shown something against Jeremy Chardy, taking the third set in a tiebreak.

Chardy was looking the goods after winning the first two sets 6-3 6-3 but will now have to arrest the Argentine's growing momentum if he wants to see fourth-round action.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray isn't surprising anyone with his performance against Richard Berankis, winning the first set 6-3, although Berankis has started the second set well, with games on serve at 2-1.

3.42pm AEDT - VINCI EXITS IN THIRD ROUND

Elena Vesnina's stellar form to kick off 2013 continued out on Margaret Court Arena, where the Russian was too good for 16th seed Roberta Vinci.

Vinci started the stronger of the pair but Vesnina, who won the tournament in Hobart before the Open, came home with a wet sail to win 4-6 7-6 6-4.

3.17pm AEDT - GASQUET JOINS DAY SIX WINNERS

Richard Gasquet recovered from a slow start to beat Ivan Dodig in four sets.

Gasquet took a while to get going and dropped the first set 6-4 before switching gears to take the next three 6-3 7-6 6-0.

The Frenchman will now play the winner of the match between compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and marathon man Blaz Kavcic.

How many sets, Richard? Correct. Source: AFP

2.55pm AEDT - DEL POTRO IN TROUBLE

Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro will have to do it in five sets if he wants to see fourth-round action at the Australian Open.

The former US Open champ has dropped the first two sets to Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-3 and is in danger of crashing out of the year's first grand slam.

And on Margaret Court Arena, women's 16th seed Roberta Vinci is locked at one set all against Elena Vesnina after dropping the second set in a tiebreak.

2.52pm AEDT - SERENA TRAIN GATHERS STEAM

Ayumi Morita at least gave Serena Williams some food for thought during their third-round match, racing to a 3-0 lead in the second set before the American freight train released the brakes.

Williams then won the next six games straight to wrap up the match 6-1 6-3.

If you're into stats, this mismatch don't look pretty.

Nine aces to zip, 29 winners to seven (but also 25 unforced errors to 12). Comprehensive? Yup.

2.15pm AEDT - WILLIAMS LAUNCHES 207KM/H BOMB

Serena Williams unloaded a monster 207km/h serve for the second time in the tournament on the way to taking the first set against Ayumi Morita.

Morita won the second game of the set but that was about it for the little Japanese, who was no match for Williams raw power and 16 winners.

The service cannon came on the second last point of the set as the world No.3 unleashed the full power of that big right arm for an ace down the middle.

Serena Williams hammers out another huge first serve on her way to winning the first set. Source: AP

2.08pm AEDT

The men's seeds are under fire on day six.

Sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro has just dropped the first set 6-3 to Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, while over on Show Court 3 Richard Gasquet, seeded nine, has leveled at a set all with world No.74 Ivan Dodig.

No such trouble for Serena Williams, who is running away with the first set against Ayumi Morita after a couple of tight early games, and now leads 4-1.

1.33pm AEDT - KUZI CONTINUES REVIVAL

Former top 10 player Svetlana Kuznetsova continues to show a fresh set of legs at this year's Open, beating Spaniard Carla Suarrez Navarro 6-2 4-6 6-3 for a spot in the round of 16.

1.26pm AEDT - AZARENKA TAKEN TO THREE

WORLD No.1 Victoria Azarenka escaped with an almighty fright in the third round of the Australian Open before prevailing in three sets against Jamie Hampton.

Azarenka was pushed every step of the way by the world No.63, who took the second set and broke Azarenka early in the third set to continue her push towards a career-best grand slam result.

But after receiving treatment in the third set for a back complaint, Hampton was again in some distress immediately after breaking serve in that game, and dropped the next five games to exit the tournament.

Victoria Azarenka loses her cool during her third-round match against Jamie Hampton. Source: AFP

1.15pm AEDT - KIRILENKO SETS UP POTENTIAL WILLIAMS DATE

Maria Kirilenko is the first player through to the fourth round of the Australian Open on day six, after seeing off German Yanina Wickmayer in straight sets.

The 14th seed secured the first set in a tiebreak before wrapping up the match 6-3 in the second.

Kirilenko will likely play Serena Williams in the next round, should Williams beat Ayumi Morita in the next match on Rod Laver Arena.

12.52pm AEDT - AZARENKA DROPS SECOND SET

Victoria Azarenka is under the pump out on Rod Laver Arena and has dropped the second set 6-4 against little-known American Jamie Hampton.

Azarenka saved two set points before breaking serve at 5-2, but couldn't repeat the dose when Hampton again served for the set at 5-4, spraying a forehand return wide to square the match away.

Adding to the drama, Hampton called for the trainer in the break immediately following Azarenka's tense service hold and appeared to be suffering problems with her lower back.

But she returned to the court and continued her surge to level the match at one set all.

12.44pm AEDT - AUSSIE SUCCESS IN MIXED

Their singles campaigns might have sunk quicker than the Titanic, but Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden enjoyed a win in the first round of the mixed doubles on Show Court 3.

After securing the first set 8-6 in a nerve-jangling tiebreak, they walked away with the second 6-3 to ensure they wouldn't walk away from Melbourne Park without a win this fortnight.

Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova finally have something to smile about at the Australian Open after winning their first-round mixed doubles match. Source: Getty Images

12.22pm AEDT

Tense stuff over on Hisense Arena, where Russian glamour girl Maria Kirilenko took the first set in a tiebreak against 20th seed Yanina Wickmayer.

12.18pm AEDT

Young American Jamie Hampton is taking it right up to world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.

After a late charge at the end of the first set she's come out gunning early in the second, trading shots with Azarenka and jumping to a 3-1 lead.

Jamie Hampton is giving Victoria Azarenka more than she bargained for in their third-round match. Source: Getty Images

12.03pm AEDT

World No.1 Victoria Azarenka has escaped with the first set 6-4 against American young gun Jamie Hampton on Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka had a stranglehold on the first set up 4-1 before Hampton engaged the Belarusian in repeated baseline rallies forcing errors while opening the door for cold winners.

Hampton made the most of her opportunities breaking Azarenka's serve twice to cut the margin to 5-4.

But the defending champion responded, taking an early lead in the tenth game, before the world No.62 served a double fault to gifting her the set.

11.54am AEDT

Plucky American Jamie Hampton is putting up a fight breaking Belarusian Victoria Azarenka to cut the margin to 5-3 in the first set.

Hampton was down 4-1 before forcing Azarenka into an error to claim the all-important seventh game.

The 23-year-old American held her nerve to hold and stay alive in the first set on Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka appears frustrated by her game, questioning the chair umpire, between games.

11.37am AEDT

Azarenka has a stranglehold on her third round match breaking world No.63 Hampton to lead 4-1 midway through the opening set.

But the little-known American has put up a fight forcing Azarenka into long baseline rallies while picking up a break point opportunity in the fifth game.

11.20am AEDT

We're underway at Melbourne Park with defending champion VIctoria Azarenka and Jamie Hampton locked on one game apiece.

The Belarusian is in full - screeching - voice under the open roof at Rod Laver Arena.

9.50am AEDT

GOOD morning and welcome to day six from Melbourne Park.

All eyes will be on Rod Laver Arena this morning, as Australian Open favourites, Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Andy Murray do battle looking to progress to the fourth round.

Defending champion Azarenka kicks off proceedings on day six against American Jamie Hampton from 11am (AEDT).

The Belarusian has hardly missed this campaign only losing six games across four sets at Melbourne Park.

Williams is next up against world No.72 Ayumi Morita who should find the going tough against the Australian Open favourite looking to win her 16th Grand Slam.

Scot Andy Murray closes out the day session on Rod Laver Arena against little-known Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis before the much-anticipated clash between Bernard Tomic and Swiss ace Roger Federer.

Both players come into the match unbeaten in 2013, while Tomic is the last Australian left in the tournament.

FIVE OF THE BEST - the matches not to be missed

1. Bernard Tomic (Aus) v 2-Roger Federer (Sui)

Bernie's talked the talk, can he walk the walk against the master he idolised as a kid? The stage is set, young man. Kicking off the night session on RLA.

2. Kimiko Date-Krumm (Jpn) v Bojana Jovanovski (Srb)

Can Date-Krumm, the 42-year-old Japanese comeback queen, roll into the last 16? Shaping as the fairytale story of the Open. Fourth match on Show Court 2.

3. 14-Gilles Simon (Fre) v Gael Monfils (Fre)

An all-French night time showdown between two flashy stroke players. Oddly, just the fifth time they've met. Kicking off the night session on Hisense Arena.

4. 7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fre) v Blaz Kavcic (Slo)

Kavcic needed fluid and "muscle relaxants" pumped into his veins after his five-set epic win in the 40-degree heat. Let's see how he handles another day in the Aussie sun. Third match of the day on Margaret Court Arena.

5. 29-Sloane Stephens (USA) v Laura Robson (GBR)

Two of the brightest teenage talents in the sport, who carry the hopes of their huge nations. Neither will get a better opportunity to leap into the last 16 of a slam. Third match on Show Court 2.

SCHEDULE

Rod Laver Arena - from 11am

1-Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Jamie Hampton (USA)
3-Serena Williams (USA) v Ayumi Morita (JPN)
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) v 3-Andy Murray (GBR)

From 7pm

Bernard Tomic (AUS) v 2-Roger Federer (SUI)

Hisense Arena - from11am

20-Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) v 14-Maria Kirilenko (RUS)
6-Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) v Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
10-Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)

From 7pm

14-Gilles Simon (FRA) v Gael Monfils (FRA)

Margaret Court Arena - Not before noon

Elena Vesnina (RUS) v 16-Roberta Vinci (ITA)
7-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) v Blaz Kavcic (SLO)

Show Court 2 - from 11am

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Carla Suarez Navarro (SPA)
21-Andreas Seppi (ITA) v 12-Marin Cilic (CRO)
29-Sloane Stephens (USA) v Laura Robson (GBR)
Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) v Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)

Show Court 3 - Not before noon

Ivan Dodig (CRO) v 9-Richard Gasquet (FRA)
13-Milos Raonic (CAN) v 17-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)

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Rare whale shark sighting at City Beach

A WHALE shark was spotted in a rare sighting off City Beach this afternoon.

Surf Life Saving WA spokesman Josh Walker said the seven to eight metre shark was spotted about 500m offshore of City Beach at 2pm.

It was last seen heading north past Floreat Beach.

Mr Walker said a spike in local water temperature had most likely prompted its rare journey this far south.

"We had a couple (of whale sharks) spotted last year, this warmer water is bringing them down," he said.

Perth sightings are uncommon, with the Marine Parks WA website suggesting whale sharks are more likely to be found in Shark Bay or Kalbarri at this time of year, if at all.
 

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Murder accused has support in court

A MAN has appeared in court today charged with the murder of convicted drug trafficker Stephen Cookson, whose severed head was found in a bag on Rottnest Island.

Aaron Carlino, 28, of Guildford was charged by detectives late last night following a series of searches in Perth's southern suburbs.

Mr Carlino appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court this morning, but was not required to enter a plea.

The 28-year-old has been accused of murdering Cookson in East Perth on December 15 and will next appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday February 6 via video link.

About six people were in the public gallery to support Mr Carlino, including a woman with a baby. PerthNow understands the woman was most likely his twin sister and her child.

Mr Carlino, who went to Chisholm College in Inglewood, doesn't have any children.

Forensics scour holiday property

Yesterday, a large team descended on a property in Golden Bay, 60km south of Perth, as they continued to hunt for clues, and the rest of Cookson's body.

Officers also searched the nearby Silver Sands beach after a member of the public reported what could be human flesh on the beach.

The object was being tested to confirm whether it was human or marine.

A forensic team is also believed to have searched another property near Mandurah as part of the investigation.
Part of Cookson's remains were discovered on Rottnest Island by an 11-year-old girl earlier this month, who was beachcombing with her family at Porpoise Bay.

It has been reported the 56-year-old, who was a disliked figure within the WA racing industry, was believed to have been murdered in his East Perth apartment in Hay Street about a fortnight before Christmas.

Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of possessing a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court.

In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct by WA racing authorities, for assaulting a former horse owner, Peter Graham, breaking his nose.

Cookson had been due to appear in the Perth District Court today on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

As the investigations continued, Tom Percy QC, who represented Cookson some years ago, said he remembered the convicted drug trafficker as a "charming, well spoken, articulate fellow".

Cookson was heavily involved in the drug industry, Mr Percy said.

"It just shows there is a drug underworld in Perth, there are some very nasty people here," he said.

"It is not idle threats. You cross some of these people, you end up dead in a bag on the other side of Rottnest. That is quite terrifying.

"With the way drug laws are in WA it is coming to that. It is because we have the toughest drug laws in Australia and that makes drugs extremely precious.

"We have descended down to the underbelly that they have in Melbourne - we have come of age."

The remains of Cookson, 56, were discovered on the island by an 11-year-old girl earlier this month, who was beachcombing with her family at Porpoise Bay on the southeast of the island.

A long-time member of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of possessing a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court.

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Life and crimes of seedy racing figure

The man's head was found in a bag on Rottnest Island on Sunday January 6. Source: PerthNow

A former racehorse owner has said he knew the head found on Rottnest Island was that of Stephen Cookson.

WEST Australian police are still refusing to officially confirm the identity of the severed head washed up on Rottnest Island as racing identity and convicted drug user Stephen Cookson.

Cookson, who has a long criminal history including heroin convictions in Germany, has been widely identified as the man whose remains were found by holidaymakers last weekend.

WA police were today still struggling to contact Cookson's relatives in the eastern states, despite reports it was his head inside a bag on the beach.

A long-time habitue of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court, where the former law student chose to represent himself.

In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct, after assaulting a former horse owner Peter Graham and breaking his nose. That fine was unsuccessfully appealed.

Mr Graham told the media he had an inkling the head in the bag was Cookson's, or "Cookie'' as he was known in Victorian racing circles.

"The missing teeth and the beard were telltale details and I knew Cookson had not been seen for a while,'' Graham said.

"I even contacted a former, prominent racing investigator to make sure the coppers got the message.

"He was capable of anything if he didn't get his own way,'' Graham said.

"One time we argued over a horse yard in a stable we were sharing. I insisted the yard was mine. Cookson disagreed and did his block. Two days later I found my horse dead in the yard.''

A self-appointed "equine consultant'', Cookson had been due to appear in the Perth District Court this Friday on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

Mr Cookson's lawyer Linda Black said she could not divulge any details as she is also acting for one of Mr Cookson's fellow accused, Lejla Tresnjo.

The head was found by an 11-year-old girl on the beach at Porpoise Bay on the southeast of the island last Sunday.

She's believed to have opened the plastic bag and seen a human ear.

Police later confirmed the head belonged to a caucasian male, possibly aged between 30 and 60 years.

Forensic officers then spent the weekend searching an apartment at the Quattro complex on Hay Street in East Perth, while also investigating a nearby hotel and TAB.

Seven of the man's upper front teeth were missing - and had been for some time - but the man did not wear a plate or dentures, forensics have revealed. His remaining teeth were also in a poor condition.

The discovery is being treated as a murder.

People with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Federal MP convicted of $100,000 fraud

FORMER Federal MP Peter Shack has been convicted of stealing $100,000 from a family trust.

The Liberal member for the WA seat of Tangney from 1977 to 1993 had claimed during his trial that his mother-in-law agreed to lend him the money in 2004 for an investment.

He claimed she wanted to keep the loan a secret from her children to avoid jealousy.

However today a jury in the Perth District Court found Shack guilty after deliberating for several hours.

He will be sentenced in April.

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US must lead Middle East peace talks

Australian and British leaders in Perth as part of the AUKMIN summit today. Source: PerthNow

Australian and British leaders in Perth as part of the AUKMIN summit today. Source: PerthNow

THE United States must be a leader in facilitating 'urgent' progress for peace in the Middle East, Australian and British leaders in Perth said today.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr, British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith issued a communique after the annual Australia/UK Ministerial (AUKMIN) summit in Perth today.

They said the Palestinians and Israelis needed to sit down for "negotiations without preconditions''.

Mr Carr said the US needed to lead a major effort this year to achieve a negotiated two-state solution with a secure Israel alongside a Palestinian state.

"There must be an urgent, concentrated effort and only the United States has the capacity and the authority and the influence that will bring this to fruition,'' he said.

"But it's in the interest of the region and the interests of the world that the cycle of violence in the Middle East over Arab-Israel conflict is brought to a peaceful end.''

Mr Hague said "the alignment of circumstances'', including the Israeli election coming to an end next week, the US elections now over and the political situation in the Middle East becoming more difficult, meant now was the time for action.

"That requires a particularly strong international effort,'' he said.

"We lay no criticism or blame on previous attempts that have not been successful - it's been right to attempt it - but I do think it requires the US administration to be a strong leader and other countries to support it.''

Mr Carr agreed that both countries acknowledged the "hard slog'' so far but time was running out.

The UK and Australia also jointly called for the Israelis to halt settlement activity, labelling it illegal under international law and said it undermined prospects for peace.

The ministers also condemned the violence in Syria and continued to call on President Assad to step aside so that peaceful political transition could occur.

"We support the efforts of the Joint Special Representative of the UN and the Arab League, Lakhdar Brahimi, to end the violence in Syria and bring about a process of political transition,'' the communique said.

"We shared concerns about the stockpile of chemical weapons in Syria and agreed that any use of these weapons would be unacceptable.

"We will maintain pressure on the Assad regime never to use these weapons and to take all responsible measures to keep the weapons secure.''

They also shared concerns over the nature of Iran's nuclear program and the threat it posed to regional stability and security, calling on the country to comply with resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency.

Both also voted not to oppose enhanced Palestinian status in the UN and called on the Palestinian Authority to exercise restraint and avoid provocative actions at international forums.

"Australia and the United Kingdom urge the Palestinians to resolve their internal differences, unite for peace and cease acts of violence against Israel,'' they said in the communique.

"In particular, we call for the Palestinians to abide by the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and to stop all rocket attacks.''

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Year 12 exam students stung for cheating

22 students were penalised for various offences during this year's Year 12 exams. Source: News Limited

A TOTAL of 22 students have been penalised for cheating and breaking the rules in the recent Year 12 exams.

According to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, seven students lost between two and 100 per cent of their written exam marks after taking unauthorised materials - including mobile phones - into the exams.
 
Another three students had 10 to 30 per cent of their written exam marks deducted because they had an iPod or blackberry - and another three pupils lost 50 to 100 per cent of their marks because they were carrying "unauthorised notes".
 
Two pupils lost 20 per cent of their practical exam mark because they were found to have colluded with one another.
 
Others were penalised for failing to follow instructions.
 

SCSA chief executive Allan Blagaich said 28 students were reported for allegedly breaching the rules in the 2012 WA Certificate of Education pratical and written exams.

"The Breach of Examination Rules committee found that 22 candidates had breached the examination rules," he said.

"Four candidates appealed the committee's decision. The appeals committee ruled that all of the candidates had breached the examination rules but reduced the penalty for one candidate."

Almost 16,000 students sat exams.
 

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Ice cream van music rattles residents

Captain Soft Serve Rockingham owners Des and Jane Broadfield. Picture by Jon Hewson Source: PerthNow

THEY are a summer staple but the humble soft-serve ice cream van has become a noisy nuisance for some.

The Courier has received several letters from annoyed residents in both cities complaining about the "irritating" music played by the traditional mobile vendors as they trawl through suburban streets.

According to one reader from Safety Bay, the offending tune was Greensleeves, played continually for several hours in a small area.

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said all mobile food vehicles had to be registered with the City's health services department.

"There are some trading restrictions that are placed on the licences, including that the operator is not to cause a noise nuisance with amplified music," he said.

For more on this story, click here

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WA Olympian to face court over pub drama

OLYMPIC swimmer Eamon Sullivan will face a South Australian court next month over an alleged electric mobility scooter incident that injured two people.

Sullivan, 27, of Western Australia, has been summonsed to appear before the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on one count of disorderly behaviour.

Previously, SA Police alleged Sullivan was involved in an incident outside a Gawler pub on October 18.

Witnesses said the scooter (often called gophers) was driven into a table where two people were sitting outside the Prince Albert Hotel.

A woman was treated in hospital for bruises.

At the time, police said a man had been reported for one count of disorderly behaviour and two counts of assault.

A subsequent statement from Sullivan's lawyer confirmed the swimmer was in Gawler at the time.

Sullivan's matter will be heard in court next month.

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Iluka cuts jobs and production

Iluka's mineral sands miners. Source: PerthNow

MINERAL sands miner Iluka will cut production, resulting in job losses, after tough trading conditions led to a loss of nearly one-third in revenue in 2012.

Iluka's Eneabba operations in mid-west Western Australia will be idled, costing 65 jobs.

Other operations is South Australia, Victoria and in the US will be idled or operate on reduced rosters.

The company blamed difficult economic conditions globally, saying the ageing WA mine had been reactivated in 2011 when demand for zircon and titanium dioxide was high.

"With recent challenging economic conditions globally, demand for these products has reduced,'' Iluka's general manager of Australian operations Steve Wickham said in a statement.

He said that Iluka informed customers and employees throughout 2012 that it would take appropriate measures - such as cutting production and costs - to more closely match mineral sands production to demand.

That worked in the first half of the year when it lifted margins and revenue by 16.2 per cent to $662.8 million, despite a near one-third drop in sales.

However it appears to have ran out of options in the second half with full year sales revenue falling 30.4 per cent to $1.07 billion.

Revenue fell 58 per cent in the December quarter to $182.5 million.

It blamed a "cyclical low'' for the current lack of demand for its products, which are used in ceramics and paints.

The result is not a surprise, after Iluka told the market shortly before Christmas that sales volumes would be at the bottom end of guidance after sales of rutile - used to make titanium dioxide - had nearly stopped.

Prices have fallen by 25-35 per cent as demand has dried up - due to weak property markets, especially in China and the US.

The company's shares responded positively, closing 35 cents, or 3.7 per cent, higher at $9.73 after earlier hitting an intra-day peak of $10.12.

However the stock is about 50 per cent weaker than the year-high of $18.88 the ASX100 company hit in January 2012 when prices were still booming.

Iluka said it would provide specific guidance on production levels and costs when it reports its financial results next month but signalled more production cuts were planned.

"Iluka commences 2013 with inventory levels which are capable of being drawn down to meet demand before restoring production settings to match more typical underlying demand conditions,'' it said.

Iluka is the world's largest supplier of zircon with more than one-third market share and rutile.
Sales volumes of its products were 52.9 per cent lower at 488,900 tonnes.

Overall production was 30.5 per cent down, at 811,800 tonnes.

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Murder accused remanded over stabbing

A 53-year-old accused murderer has appeared via video link in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court this morning.

Van Tho Nguyen has been remanded in custody at Hakea Prison for legal advice until January 30.

Mr Nguyen appeared with the aide of a translator this morning, facing one count of murder.

He was charged following the death of a 36-year-old man in Ellenbrook on December 12, whom Mr Nguyen is accused of stabbing to death during a fight.

Police were called to the home at Pinea Turn at about 3pm on the Wednesday and the victim had to be taken by ambulance to Swan District Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

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Chick sues website over Cousins coverage

Eagles premiership player Daniel Chick is suing for defamation. Source: PerthNow

FORMER West Coast Eagle Daniel Chick has launched legal action over claims made in a series of online articles last year.

The 36-year-old, who started his career with Hawthorn, is suing the SportsNewsFirst website, a journalist as well as the AFL for the publication of a series of articles which make mention of the former footballer.

In a writ lodged in the WA Supreme Court this week, it says Chick, who is representing himself, is seeking a permanent injunction over the articles, which he claims are defamatory.

The writ says three separate stories relating to the hospitalisation of former West Coast teammate Ben Cousins published between January and February 2012 on the SportsNewsFirst website, SEN Sports Central and the AFL website which mentioned him were false.

Chick is also seeking damages, aggravated damages, as well as costs for the publication and republication of the offending articles, claiming that he has suffered hatred, contempt and ridicule as a result.

Three years ago the former footballer was fined $7000 after pleading guilty to importing performance and image enhancing steroids from Thailand.

Chick was caught on arrival at Perth Airport with nine vials and a number of pills concealed in his luggage on October 9, 2010.

PerthNow tried contacting Mr Chick but he did not return calls.

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Buswell v Carles case in election week

BUSY WEEK: WA treasurer Troy Buswell's defamation case against his former lover and independent MP Adele Carles has been listed in court three days before the state election.

WEST Australian treasurer Troy Buswell will have much on his mind in the week of the state election, with his $3 million defamation case against his former lover and independent MP Adele Carles listed in court three days before the poll.

Despite Premier Colin Barnett making it clear he would prefer his senior lieutenant to settle the dispute out of court, Mr Buswell and his legal team are ploughing on with their action against Ms Carles, the member for Fremantle.

Mr Buswell seems determined to seek legal recourse to embarrassing allegations levelled against him by Ms Carles in a series of interviews, press conferences and social media posts late last year.

And after an offer from Ms Carles' lawyer to settle was turned down, the case has now been listed for a first hearing in the WA Supreme Court on March 6.

The state election is being held on March 9.

If the case goes ahead, it will be an unwanted distraction for both Mr Buswell - one of WA's most prominent and controversial politicians - and Ms Carles, who is facing a huge battle to hold her seat.

The court action was sparked after Ms Carles claimed in a newspaper article that Mr Buswell had been drunk and and behaved inappropriately towards seafood empire boss Nick Kailis at a 2011 Christmas party.

After sending a series a series of highly personal tweets about Mr Buswell, which have since been deleted, Ms Carles went on to claim further drunken behaviour in March had been the final straw in their relationship.

At a press conference she revealed further personal details of their relationship, going as far as producing a card sent to her by Mr Buswell pleading for a reconciliation.

Lawyers for the state treasurer filed a defamation writ against Ms Carles soon after, seeking aggravated damages from the former Greens MP as well as a "permanent injunction'' against her.

The writ alleges Ms Carles defamed Mr Buswell a total of nine times in interviews with various Perth media outlets, and on Twitter.

It seeks damages, aggravated damages, and interest on the damages. The writ also aimed to silence Ms Carles.

"A permanent injunction restraining the defendant from repeating the defamatory comments or words similar thereto'', is the third claim on the writ.

It is the latest instalment in a long line of embarrassments that have dogged Mr Buswell's political career.

He was forced to resign as treasurer in 2010 amid allegations he misused entitlements during his affair with one-time Greens MP Carles, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

In 2008 Mr Buswell stood down as WA Liberal leader - paving the way for Mr Barnett - following allegations of lewd conduct.

A tearful Mr Buswell at that time admitted sniffing the chair of a female Liberal staffer and snapping a Labor staffer's bra, antics for which he is known across the country.
 

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Beeliar mother sexually assaulted in home

POLICE have warned residents to lock doors and windows at night after a woman was sexually assaulted in her own home early this morning.

Sex Assault Squad Detectives are seeking information from the public about the attack, which happened just before 1am this morning in Beeliar.

Officers believe the offender broke into the house through an open window before assaulting the woman, aged in her thirties, inside.

Her two children were asleep in the house.

Her husband is reportedly a FIFO worker who is currently away.

Detectives have little information on what the offender looked like and hope that someone may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area.

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

"This is a timely reminder, particularly with the recent hot weather, for residents to be security conscious and ensure windows and doors are locked and secure," said Inspector Dominic Wood.

 

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Drug lab explosion south of Mandurah

POLICE are at the scene of a suspected drug lab explosion in Bouvard, south of Mandurah.

The explosion happened in the Parkridge Foreshore Reserve off Estuary Road just before 3pm.

Investigating officers found a suspected improvised drug manufacture site, but there were no people present.

Police spokesman Gerry Cassidy said officers had contacted nearby hospitals and searched the area for any injured people, but had so far not located any persons of interest.

Sgt Cassidy urged anyone who had been exposed to chemicals or ammonia gas to seek medical treatement.

The Organised Crime Squad are on their way to the scene.

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Open warfare as Tomic advances

Serena Williams is through to the second round of the Australian Open despite an ankle injury that could yet threaten her campaign.

Bernard Tomic on his way to an easy first-round win against Argentina's Leonardo Mayer tonight. Source: Getty Images

James Duckworth was pumped up while beating fellow Australian Ben Mitchell in the first round of the Australian Open. Source: Getty Images

Serena Williams falls to the court after rolling her ankle in her first-round match. Source: AFP

Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm celebrates after winning her first-round match against Nadia Petrova. Source: AP

• Get LIVE Australian Open scores here.
• Tweet your Aussie support to @cam_tomarchio.
• Check out where the tennis stars have been seen around Melbourne on our 'Spotted' map.

CATCH UP on all the key results and news from day two of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

10.28pm AEDT - AUSSIE GAJDOSOVA STILL WINLESS

Jarmila Gajdosova has not won a match at the Australian Open in eight tries now after losing in straight sets to Belgian No.20 seed Yanina Wickmayer on Rod Laver Arena tonight.

The Aussie produced 14 unforced errors and just two winners to gift Wickmayer the first set 6-1.

The second set was a different story entirely, with Gajdosova pulling out 16 winners to Wickmayer's five and - even had set point - but she dropped serve four times in the set and eventually lost it 7-5.

10pm AEDT - MONFILS TOO GOOD FOR DOLGOPOLOV

Another seed is gone, with Gael Monfils beating Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov in four tight sets on Margaret Court Arena.

The Frenchman ousted the 18th seed 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-3 and will next meet Yen-Hsun Lu.

8.45pm AEDT - TOMIC CRUISES INTO SECOND ROUND

Bernard Tomic rolled into the second round of the Australian Open with a ridiculously comfortable victory over Leonardo Mayer.

The Argentine struggled to get on top of the Australian's serve throughout the match and could not match Tomic's power from the back of the court.

With the 6-3 6-2 6-3 win, Tomic set up a second round meeting with little known German Daniel Brands, who upset 27th seed Martin Klizan 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Roger Federer is likely awaiting the winner in the third round.

Finland's Jarkko Nieminen celebrates after beating Tommy Haas in five sets. Source: AFP

8.38pm AEDT - HAAS LOSES EPIC

Jarkko Nieminen has ousted the 34-year-old Tommy Haas in an epic on Show Court 3.

The final score: 7-6 4-6 6-3 4-6 8-6 in a little under four hours.

The 19th seed says goodbye.

7.15pm AEDT - SIMON THROUGH

Gilles Simon shook off an early scare to a 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 win against Italy's Filippo Volandri.

Tommy Haas is down two sets to one against Jarkko Nieminen and it's level at 3-all in the fourth. Good battle.

Gael Monfils and Alexandr Dolgopolov are under way on Margaret Court. Two-all in the first.

6.59pm AEDT

19-Tommy Haas v Jarkko Nieminen 6-7 6-4 3-6

14-Gilles Simon vs Filippo Volandri 2-6 6-3 6-2 1-2

German veteran Tommy Haas is in trouble, down two sets to one against Nieminen. Could be an upset on our hands.

Frenchman Gilles Simon appears to have taken control of his match against Italy's Filippo Volandri, overcoming a slow start to take a two sets to one lead.

6.48pm AEDT - MATOSEVIC BOWS OUT

Croatia's Marin Cilic has accounted for Australia's Marinko Matosevic, 6-4 7-5 6-2, putting even more pressure on Bernard Tomic to produce tonight.

Matosevic had a set point in the second but could not capitalise and the big 12th seed made him pay.

6.29pm AEDT 

Tommy Haas has taken the second set against Jarkko Nieminen to level it at a set apiece.

6.15pm AEDT - MATOSEVIC DOWN TWO SETS TO LOVE

Marinko Matosevic had a set point in the second set but 12th seed Marin Cilic turned it around and has broken to take a 6-4 7-5 lead, giving the Aussie one hell of a hill to climb.

A couple of seeds are in a real battle in the meantime. Tommy Haas, the 19th seed, dropped the first 7-6 to Jarkko Nieminen and it's 4-4 in the second.

And 14th seed Gilles Simon has hit back to take the second set against Filippo Volandri to make it 2-6 6-3. 

Day 2 of the Australian Open in pictures

5.30pm AEDT - DUCKWORTH WINS BATTLE OF BEST MATES
Del Potro vs Mannarino 6-1 4-1
Matosevic (Aus) vs Cilic 4-6 1-1

The Duck quacked loudest in the battle of the best mates, with James Duckworth defeating fellow Aussie Ben Mitchell in a five-set thriller.

Duckworth won the opening two sets but Mitchell hit back hard to win the next two before running out of legs in the last as Duckworth reached the second round for the second year in a row.

The break points flowed thick and fast in the final set, with Duckworth surviving two in the third game before producing a couple of monster serves to stay on track, then pouncing in the next game after some loose Mitchell shots to grab a 3-1 lead.

Duckworth withstood another three break points before finally conceding the seventh game of the set as Mitchell got things back on serve, then saved more break points when the scores were locked at 4-4.

Both players endured tense moments on their service games until Mitchell wilted at 6-7, spraying two forehands to hand Duckworth the break of serve and the win.

Duckworth now has a great chance to reach the third round when he takes on Slovenian unknown Blaz Kavcic on Thursday.

James Duckworth was pumped up while beating fellow Australian Ben Mitchell in the first round of the Australian Open. Source: Getty Images

5.13pm AEDT

Aussie No.1 Marinko Matosevic has dropped the first set 6-4 to 12th seed Marin Cilic.

Matosevic went toe to toe with the big Croat, but dropped serve in the ninth game, allowing Cilic to serve it out.

4.25pm AEDT - NO WORRIES FIRST UP FOR FED

No surprises for guessing Roger Federer's first-round result.

The No.2 seed got better as his match against Frenchman Benoit Paire wore on, breaking him six times to win 6-2 6-4 6-1 in just 1hr 23mins.

Different fortunes for another Frenchman, however, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga taking care of business with a 6-4 7-5 6-2 win over compatriate Michael Llodra.

Serena vows to play through pain

4.19pm AEDT

A pumped-up Ben Mitchell has taken his match against fellow Aussie James Duckworth to a fifth set.

Mitchell appeared down and out after Duckworth won the first two sets 6-4 7-6, but the Gold Coast 20-year-old, who played only two matches on the ATP Tour last year and won neither, fought back to take the next two 6-4 7-5.

4.15pm AEDT
Federer vs Paire 6-2 6-4 4-1
Tsonga vs Llodra 6-4 7-5 3-2

Rising American Sloane Stephens has crushed Simona Halep in her first-round match, hammering out 19 winners to four to win 6-1 6-1 in just 47 minutes.

Over on Rod Laver Arena, Roger Federer is only a couple of games away from moving through to the second round, leading Benoit Paire 6-2 6-4 4-1.

3.28pm AEDT - ANOTHER AUSSIE FALLS
Federer vs Paire 6-2 0-1
Tsonga vs Llodra 6-4 2-3

Australia is another player down at this year's Open, after Luke Saville was beaten in four sets by Go Soeda.

Saville started promisingly, taking the first set in a tiebreak, but couldn't put a cork in his error count, sending 54 unforced mistakes the Japanese's way.

Soeda won 6-7 6-3 6-2 6-3 and will like play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, if the French No.7 seed does as we expect against Michael Llodra.

And Ben Mitchell has hit back against best mate and fellow Aussie James Duckworth, taking the third set 6-4 after dropping the first two.

Luke Saville was no match for Japan's Go Soeda. Source: Getty Images

3.19pm AEDT - KVITOVA SEES OFF SCHIAVONE

Last year's semi-finalist Petra Kvitova saw off Italian veteran Francesca Schiavone in three tough sets to book her berth in the second round.

And 17th seed Lucie Safarova did enough against Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, winning 7-6 6-4.

***SERENA UPDATE***

Serena Williams has just spoken at her press conference and vowed to play through the pain of her ankle injury.

"Unless it is fatal and (while) my heart is still beating, I will be there," she said.

2.58pm AEDT

Australian Luke Saville has dropped the second and third sets against Japan's Go Soeda.

Saville won the first set in a tiebreak but Soeda has been all over him since, winning the next two 6-3 6-2.

Elsewhere, thirteenth seed Milos Raonic dropped the first set but recovered to beat Czech player Jan Hajek 3-6 6-1 6-2 7-6 over on Show Court 3.

And Roger Federer has launched into his first-round match against Frenchman Benoit Paire, breaking him in the first game to lead 1-0.

2.40pm AEDT - AZARENKA STRAIGHT THROUGH

No.1 seed and defending champion Victoria Azarenka overcame a tricky opponent to kick off her title defence

Monica Niculescu's unorthodox use of slice forehands made life difficult for the world's best player but wasn't enough to stop her, with the Belarussian winning 6-1 6-4 in 1hr 27mins.

And James Duckworth has just won the second set 10-8 in a tiebreak against fellow Aussie Ben Mitchell, and now leads two sets to love.

Victoria Azarenka started her title defence with a 6-1 6-4 win over Monica Niculescu. Source: AFP

2.22pm AEDT - SERENA INJURED IN FLAWLESS VICTORY

Beware the wounded warrior.

Serena Williams is through to the second round of the Australian Open despite an ankle injury that may threaten her campaign.

Williams slid and appeared to roll her ankle while leading Edina Gallovits-Hall 4-0 in the first set, and received treatment and new strapping.

When she returned to the court her movement was severely limited, with the tournament's hot favourite walking to hit some balls, but it mattered little as she peeled off eight more games in a row to win 6-0 6-0.

More details on Williams' injury as they come to hand.

Meanwhile, eighth seed and former semi-finalist Petra Kvitova is locked in a seesawing battle with Francesca Schiavone.

Kvitova won the first set 6-4 but the experienced Schiavone hit back big time in the second, taking it 6-2.

Serena Williams is through to the second round of the Australian Open despite an ankle injury that could yet threaten her campaign.

AUSSIE UPDATE

As for the Aussies, Luke Saville is now at one set all with Go Soeda after dropping the second set, while James Duckworth is a set up against best mate Ben Mitchell, but trails 5-6 in the second.

2.05pm AEDT - SERENA TREATED FOR INJURY

Raging favourite Serena Williams has suffered an ankle injury during her opening round clash.

The American was cruisng at 4-0 against Edina Gallovits-Halls when she slid stretching for a return, tumbled and appeared to have rolled her ankle.

An injury time-out was called where her ankle, which immediately swelled up, was heavily taped by a doctor.

Williams returned to the court and peeled off two straight games to take the first set 6-0, and now leads 1-0 in the second.

Serena Williams falls to the court after rolling her ankle in her first-round match. Source: AFP

1.41pm AEDT
Azarenka vs Niculescu 6-1 0-0
S.Williams vs Gallovits-Hall 4-0

Good news out on court six, where Aussie wildcard Luke Saville has taken the first set in a tiebreak against Japan's Go Soeda.

And the 'battle of the best mates', James Duckworth and Ben Mitchell, Mitchell has led for most of the first set but Duckworth has just leveled the scores at 4-4.

1.10pm AEDT

Caroline Wozniacki survived a first-round scare to move through in three sets against Germany's Sabine Lisicki.

Lisicki's all-or-nothing approach worked early on but 10th-seeded Wozniacki weathered the storm and hit back to take the match 2-6 6-3 6-3.

And we've lost another Aussie with John-Patrick Smith bowing out in straight sets against Joao Sousa, 6-4 6-1 6-4.

Caroline Wozniacki emerged from a testing first-round match at the 2013 Australian Open. Source: Getty Images

12.51pm AEDT - MURRAY INTO SECOND ROUND
Wozniacki vs Lisicki 2-6 6-3 4-3
Smith (Aus) vs Sousa 4-6 1-6 2-3
Saville (Aus) vs Soeda 4-1

Third seed Andy Murray was in and out in little over and hour and a half on Rod Laver Arena, beating Dutchman Robin Haase 6-3 6-1 6-3.

Murray was a couple of classes above and was aided by a red hot first serve, which hit the mark 73 per cent of the time.

The Brit will next face the winner of the match between Aussie wildcard John-Patrick Smith and Portugal's Joao Sousa.

Andy Murray cruised into the second round of the Australian Open in straight sets. Source: Getty Images

12.45pm AEDT - ANOTHER SEED FALLS
Murray vs Haase 6-3 6-1 3-4
Wozniacki vs Lisicki 2-6 6-3 2-3
Smith (Aus) vs Sousa 4-6 1-6 2-3

Carla Suarez Navarro continues the pain for the seeds early on day two, beating 17th seed Sara Errani 6-4 6-4.

But the new was better for Russian glamour girl and No.14 seed Maria Kirilenko, who cruised past American Vania King 6-4 6-2.

12.18pm AEDT - 42-YEAR-OLD BEATS 12TH SEED

In the first huge upset on day two, 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm has stunned women's 12th seed Nadia Petrova 6-2 6-0.

We'll find out later what Petrova's story was but it's not hard to see where she went wrong, with 38 unforced errors spewing from her racquet. She wasn't a happy chappy.

How's this for a stat: the last time Date-Krumm went past the first round here was in 1996.

Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm celebrates after winning her first-round match against Nadia Petrova. Source: AP

12.15pm AEDT

Aussie wildcard John-Patrick Smith has dropped the first set against Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-4, and trails 2-1 on serve in the second.

And another winner - former top 10 player Svetlana Kuznetsova did it easy on Show Court 3, beating Lourdes Domnguez Lino 6-2 6-1.

12.05pm AEDT - SEEDS IN TROUBLE

In a complete backflip on the run of play yesterday, a bunch of seeds are in early trouble on day two of the Australian Open.

Caroline Wozniacki dropped the first set 6-2 against Sabine Lisicki, also she is in control of the second set and leads it 4-1, while 12th seed Nadia Petrova is in dire straits against 42-year-old veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm, dropping the first set 6-2 and trailing 4-0 in the second.

Men's 25th seed Florian Mayer is down 6-2 5-2 against USA qualifier Rhyne Williams.

As we speak, we have our first winner of the day - Shuai Peng of China has smashed Canada's Rebecca Marino 6-3 6-0 in just 52 minutes.

11.45am AEDT
Murray (3) vs Haase 5-2
Wozniacki (10) vs Lisicki 2-6

There's something big brewing on Hisense Arena, where women's 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki has just dropped the first set 6-2 to Sabine Lisicki.

Lisicki clubbed a staggering 17 winners in taking the set, while forcing a further 12 errors from Wozniacki, whose defensive game is normally her strong suit.

Over on Rod Laver Arena, Andy Murray has is also racing his first set and leads 5-2.

11am AEDT

Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of day two of this year's Australian Open!

We're only moments away from seeing the first players emerge onto court to get their first-round matches under way.

We'll have to wait until tonight's session on Rod Laver Arena to see Bernard Tomic and Jarmila Gajdosova, but there are five more Aussies ready to strut their stuff during the day session.

And thankfully we're guaranteed at least one of them will move through to the second round, with home grown wildcards James Duckworth and Ben Mitchell to clash second-up on Show Court 2.

Also in action will be Marinko Matosevic, Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith. Let's see if we can't cheer a couple home.

First up on Rod Laver, however, is world No.3 Andy Murray, who will take on Dutchman Robin Haase.

10.30am AEDT

Good morning everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of day two of the Australian Open from Melbourne Park.

Let's hope for a better day for the Aussies, with Sam Stosur our only winner on the opening day. Andy Murray kicks off proceedings on Rod Laver Arena, with the Scot to be followed by Victoria Azarenka and then everyone's favourite, the Swiss master Roger Federer.

But everybody is holding their breath today in anticipation of seeing young gun Bernard Tomic, who features in the first night match on centre court. He takes on claycourt specialist Leonardo Mayer.

Get on board and join in our coverage by tweeting to @AJBallantyne.

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Life and crimes of seedy racing figure

The man's head was found in a bag on Rottnest Island on Sunday January 6. Source: PerthNow

A former racehorse owner has said he knew the head found on Rottnest Island was that of Stephen Cookson.

WEST Australian police are still refusing to officially confirm the identity of the severed head washed up on Rottnest Island as racing identity and convicted drug user Stephen Cookson.

Cookson, who has a long criminal history including heroin convictions in Germany, has been widely identified as the man whose remains were found by holidaymakers last weekend.

WA police were today still struggling to contact Cookson's relatives in the eastern states, despite reports it was his head inside a bag on the beach.

A long-time habitue of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.

He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court, where the former law student chose to represent himself.

In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct, after assaulting a former horse owner Peter Graham and breaking his nose. That fine was unsuccessfully appealed.

Mr Graham told the media he had an inkling the head in the bag was Cookson's, or "Cookie'' as he was known in Victorian racing circles.

"The missing teeth and the beard were telltale details and I knew Cookson had not been seen for a while,'' Graham said.

"I even contacted a former, prominent racing investigator to make sure the coppers got the message.

"He was capable of anything if he didn't get his own way,'' Graham said.

"One time we argued over a horse yard in a stable we were sharing. I insisted the yard was mine. Cookson disagreed and did his block. Two days later I found my horse dead in the yard.''

A self-appointed "equine consultant'', Cookson had been due to appear in the Perth District Court this Friday on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

Mr Cookson's lawyer Linda Black said she could not divulge any details as she is also acting for one of Mr Cookson's fellow accused, Lejla Tresnjo.

The head was found by an 11-year-old girl on the beach at Porpoise Bay on the southeast of the island last Sunday.

She's believed to have opened the plastic bag and seen a human ear.

Police later confirmed the head belonged to a caucasian male, possibly aged between 30 and 60 years.

Forensic officers then spent the weekend searching an apartment at the Quattro complex on Hay Street in East Perth, while also investigating a nearby hotel and TAB.

Seven of the man's upper front teeth were missing - and had been for some time - but the man did not wear a plate or dentures, forensics have revealed. His remaining teeth were also in a poor condition.

The discovery is being treated as a murder.

People with information are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Wine lovers salute new Swan Valley festival

Large crowds were common at Spring in the Valley but Valley & Vines will provide a more relaxed environment. Source: PerthNow

Vineyards in the picturesque Swan Valley. Source: Supplied

IT was only a matter of time.

It's been more than two years since wine lovers toasted goodbye to the popular Spring in the Valley but now there's a new and improved show in town - Valley & Vines.

The independent boutique festival promises a little more sophistication and education than its predecessor while still giving Perth winophiles a taste of some of the Swan Valley's best produce in a fun-filled environment.

The concept is pretty simple: wine lovers attend three of six nominated venues throughout the day - setting their own itinerary and choosing whether to drive, bus or go with the event's organised transport to travel between each venue.

It all happens on Sunday March 3 from 10am during the Labour Day long weekend, with wineries and breweries participating including Chesters, Carilley Estate and Duckstein Brewery.

Tickets are only $30 and include entry into three "sessions", a branded wine glass and lanyard complete with the day's schedule, a glass of wine and entertainment at their three selected venues.

Valley & Vines organisers say the festival is what Perth wine lovers want.

"We are very excited to provide an offering for those interested in wine and fresh local produce and having a civilised day experiencing everything the Swan Valley has to offer," director Carly Odgers said.

Wine lover Cat Stringer said she would be attending as the day was about enjoying the wines of the Swan Valley without the riff-raff associated with Spring in the Valley.

"It's nice to be able to relax and have a good time with friends in beautiful surroundings without having your day wrecked by those who are, well, too wrecked," she said.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.valleyandvines.com.au

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Underworld link to Rotto head

The man's head was found wrapped in a plastic bag at Rottnest Island on Sunday, January 6. Source: PerthNow

WA POLICE say they are still not in a position to officially release the name of the man whose severed head was found at Rottnest Island last week, amid media reports today it could be that of a man in his mid 50s who is due to face court on drugs charges this week.

PerthNow understands that police handling the case are investigating the movements of Stephen Raymond Cookson, who is due to face court on Friday on serious drugs charges.

Mr Cookson, 54, has not been seen for several weeks but police said they would not reveal a name until family had been notified.

"As we have stated continuously police will not confirm the identity of the person until next of kin are notified," a police spokesperson said.

Mr Cookson is listed to appear in the District Court this Friday for a "trial listing hearing" on one count of possession of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, namely methylamphetamine.

According to court documents, his solicitor for that matter is well-known criminal lawyer Linda Black.

But Ms Black told PerthNow Mr Cookson was no longer a client of hers and the case had been passed onto another lawyer.

Major Crime Squad detectives confirmed last week they had identified the severed head, which was found at Rottnest Island last Sunday afternoon.

Police say the head belonged to that of a Caucasian man aged between 30 and 60.

The severed head was found by an 11-year-old girl while she was with her family at Porpoise Bay.

Dozens of police officers spent the weekend at the Quattro apartment complex on Hay Street in East Perth where it's understood the severed head victim lived.

Police started sifting through the apartment for clues and asking other residents from the complex for information from about 4pm on Friday.

Police, who are treating the matter as a murder, say the man had a moustache and a beard.

He was also missing seven upper front teeth.

It is believed the teeth had been missing for several years and police described his other teeth as being in a bad state.

Detectives have been consulting with experts and the state pathologist since the head was found.

They also have collected CCTV from the apartment complex and nearby businesses including the Carlton Hotel.

It is also understood that police have not yet found the other body parts and it is not known where the victim died.

They have not ruled out that the plastic bag was dumped at Rottnest rather than washing ashore.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Party time for info leading to thief arrest

ANYONE with solid information to help identify a High Wycombe Tavern thief will be thrown a party.

Pub manager Rob Cinnani made the promise after the theft of a number of items, including a garden misting system pump, a cash till and floor mats, from the pub early this morning.

Police said a man backed up his white van to the pub after breaking into the beer garden about 12.50am.

Mr Cinanni said the pump was worth about $2000 but the other things "wouldn't be of any use to anyone".

He said anyone who could provide police with a name or car registration plate that leads to an arrest would receive a $1000 bar tab and nibbles for them and their mates.

"We are hoping it is enough incentive for people help us out," he said.

CCTV footage of the incident revealed the offender was wearing light-coloured shorts, a black T-shirt, white cap and white shoes.

He is described as between 18 and 25 years old, with fair skin and brown hair.

For more on this story, click here

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New Yorkers in a Kimberley state of mind

A file shot of El Questro Station in the Kimberley region. Source: Supplied

Aerial view of King George Falls at Faraway Bay in the Kimberley region. Source: The Australian

WESTERN Australia's remote Kimberley has been recommended by The New York Times as one of the best places on the globe to visit.

And while the iconic newspaper has raised fears about the industrialisation of the vast area, WA Premier Colin Barnett says they're unfounded.

In the Times' list of The 46 Places to Go in 2013, the Kimberley region was cited as finally being open to the travellers "willing to trade big bucks for land-based access to some spectacular spots".

Naming The Berkeley River Lodge, Kuri Bay, and El Questro as potential spots for the adventurous, the paper also warned visitors "the region was loaded with iron, and mining companies will continue to go after it".

Woodside's Browse joint venture project, which controversially proposes bringing gas and condensate onshore for processing at a planned gas hub at James Price Point, 60km north of Broome, is the major proposed industrial development in the area.

But Mr Barnett says despite vocal opposition, the vast landscape still remains largely untouched.

"I think people are discovering the Kimberley and it is one of the world's great wilderness areas," he said.

"The Kimberley is twice the size of the state of Victoria. It is a vast area, and this government has created four new marine parks, one new major terrestrial park and also spent around $60 million on conversation protection.

"There has been a lot of debate about James Price Point. I understand that and I respect people's point of view.

"But that is a tiny area of the Kimberley - if the Kimberley was the MCG then James Price Point would be one seat."

BHP Billiton exited the controversial $30 billion Browse LNG project late last year, while legal action has been launched over the environmental approval process surrounding the project.

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Barnett predicts hotly-contested election

WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett predicts the March 9 state election will be closer than a poll that shows his Coalition government has a commanding lead.

A Newspoll taken between October and December, reported in The Australian newspaper today, gives the coalition a 58-42 two-party-preferred lead over Labor.

The poll indicated 48 per cent of voters prefer Mr Barnett as premier, compared to 29 per cent for Opposition Leader Mark McGowan.

Ahead of his official campaign launch next week, Mr Barnett said he was anticipating a tight election, with as many as 20 seats genuinely contested.

"At the last state election the Liberal party won 10 seats off Labor, each of those ten seats will be under contest,'' he said.

The poll put Labor's primary support unchanged from the previous three-month polling period at 30 per cent, and the coalition on 49 per cent.

Mr Barnett said the government had a job ahead of it to win another term.

"I am not going to run around and play that game of pretending to be an underdog, but I also am a realist and the Liberal party holds less seats than Labor,'' he said.

"The reality today is the Labor Party has 26 seats, and the Liberal Party has 24.

"I am optimistic about the election result but I know it will be far closer than those poll figures suggest.''
 

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Lance Armstrong TV admission may mean jail

Lance Armstrong's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey could cost hime jail time. Picture: Nathalie Magniez. Source: AFP

LANCE Armstrong could lose more than his ravaged reputation if he confesses in a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey to doping, he could end up in jail.

The disgraced Texan's decision to talk to  Winfrey has divided opinion, as some say he needs to do something radical to rehabilitate his public profile, while others say speaking out will only make matters worse.

The crux of the matter is whether Armstrong, having been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, will finally admit that he was a drugs cheat. Such a confession would overturn more than a decade of strenuous denials.

"If I were his lawyer, I'd be telling him not to do it. I think he's crazy," said Peter Keane, law professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, of the cyclist's decision to give the interview, which will be aired on Thursday.

"He's in considerable jeopardy of some sort of criminal prosecution ... for which he could go to prison," Keane said.

The threats to Armstrong's liberty stem from the fallen icon's role in the US Postal Service team, where he spent his most successful years in the saddle.

Lance to 'admit all' to Oprah

Having been paid by the government, the former team leader could face criminal charges for making fraudulent statements to his bosses.

He could also be accused of perjury over disclosures made under oath to a US federal jury in 2005. If convicted, each false statement could lead to five years in jail.

Armstrong has always maintained that he did not use banned substances during his stellar career, but in August last year he chose not to contest charges put forward by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that he was a serial drugs cheat.

The pitfalls of speaking to Winfrey, considered the favored TV forum for "tell all" confessional style interviews, appear to have been weighed, and a decision taken that it is worthwhile to reveal something new.

"I'm anticipating a major announcement," said Jordan Kobritz, chair of the State University of New York at Cortland's International Sport Management graduate program, noting that Armstrong would otherwise have no reason to talk.

"You don't have to go on Oprah to do what he's been doing in his entire athletic life, and that is deny, deny and deny that he ever engaged in illegal drugs," Kobritz said, agreeing with Keane that perjury and criminal charges are possible.

One possibility is that justice officials in California will re-open a file they closed last year concerning alleged drug use and misuse of funds when Armstrong was with the US Postal Service team.

Swiss lab denies helping Armstrong

Another case that could come back to haunt the cyclist is an arbitration hearing in Dallas in 2005 where he said under oath that he had never taken banned substances, a statement which raises the specter of perjury charges.

But Armstrong's profile, albeit diminished, as a cancer survivor who raised awareness and hundreds of millions of dollars to fight the disease, is likely the chip that could spare him the worst possible outcome.

"Regardless of whether he comes out and makes a flat admission, I guarantee there will still be a majority of US citizens who will say 'I don't care what he did, he's still my hero,'" Kobritz said, citing Armstrong's cancer survival.

"Unless there's a prosecutor who wants to stake his reputation and his future political career," on putting Armstrong in the dock, "I suspect they're going to leave him alone," Kobritz added.

But Michael McCann, director of the sports law institute at Vermont Law School, said there could be an upside to speaking out, if not immediately then in the mid-term, even if that means going to jail beforehand for perjury.

"It wouldn't be five years, but it could be six months, any amount of time would be pretty bad," he said.

But there could be "a sense of coming clean, having a cleaner conscience... public forgiveness, and relief maybe," added McCann, who is soon to head up a new sports and entertainment law institute at the University of New Hampshire.

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Head-in-bag victim's family don't know

EVIDENCE: Forensic police investigating the head-in-a-bag case, remove items from an East Perth unit. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

TWO days after WA police established the identity of a man whose head was found stuffed in a plastic bag on a beach at Rottnest Island, they still have not been able to contact his family.

Detectives said on Friday that the man was from Perth, but would not reveal any more details until his family was located and advised.

Police said today that they had no further updates as the Major Crime Squad continued its investigation.

"The man's next of kin has still not been notified, therefore, his name will not be released,'' a spokeswoman said.

The human head was found by a holidaymaker on the beach at Porpoise Bay, on the south-east side of the island on January 6.

An 11-year-old girl is believed to have made the horrific discovery when she opened the plastic bag and saw a human ear.

Police later confirmed the head belonged to a Caucasian male, possibly aged between 30 and 60.

Seven of the man's upper front teeth were missing - and had been for some time - but the man did not wear a plate or dentures, forensics have revealed.

His other teeth were also in a poor condition.

Forensic officers have searched several locations since identifying the man, including an apartment in East Perth where the he is believed to have lived.

The matter is being treated as a homicide and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Narelle no longer a threat to mainland

EYE OF THE STORM: The NW has been high alert for days as Cyclone Narelle builds off the coast. Source: PerthNow

CYCLONE Narelle is no longer a threat to WA communities but residents have been warned to avoid potential hazards caused by storm damage.

The all clear has been given to the state's north in and near Exmouth and Coral Bay.

However, Coral Bay residents should remain cautious with strong winds still impacting the area.

The Bureau of Meteorology said at 2.30pm today the category three cyclone was about 355km west of Exmouth and 440km northwest of Carnarvon, and moving south southwest at 14km/h.

It is expected to continue south southwest and not come closer to the coast before weakening.

The bureau says the cyclone is also unlikely to produce gales on the coast, although a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Sunday afternoon and evening for parts of the Gascoyne and Central West districts, including coastal areas between Cape Cuvier and Northhampton.

Tides along the west Pilbara coast and down the west coast are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark with flooding of low lying coastal areas possible, the bureau said.

Road users have been advised gusty winds, thunderstorm activity and high tides may affect driving conditions, and road conditions could change.

"Please approach all floodways with extreme caution, obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current,'' the State Emergency Service advises.

"If driving through heavy rain, please slow down and turn your lights on, or if visibility becomes poor, pull over and park until it passes.''

Authorities said there was no damage to homes or other infrastructure during the cyclone threat.

Incident management teams in Karratha and Carnarvon have both begun demobilising.

Earlier today
A blue alert was current for people in or near coastal and island communities from Exmouth to Coral Bay and a cyclone warning was current for people in or near Exmouth to Denham.

But a cyclone warning was cancelled for people in or near Onslow to Exmouth.

The Bureau of Meteorology said that at about 11.30am today the category three cyclone was estimated to be 335km west north-west of Exmouth and 460km north north-west of Carnarvon, and was moving south south-west at 15km/h.

The cyclone is expected to continue to move south south-west and will pass west of the Northwest Cape today.

If the cyclone moves on a track that brings it closer to the coast, then gales with gusts to 100km/h may develop in coastal areas between Exmouth and Cape Cuvier during Sunday and may extend south to Carnarvon and Denham late today or early tomorrow, the bureau said.

Tides along the west Pilbara coast and down the west coast are also likely to rise above the normal high tide mark with flooding of low lying coastal areas possible.

The State Emergency Services is continuing to monitor the situation while incident management teams in the Pilbara have begun demobilising and will continue to do so throughout the afternoon.

Teams in the Midwest Gascoyne region remain active as the cyclone travels down the coast.

Meanwhile, residents living near or between Cape Cuvier, Carnarvon, Denham, Kalbarri, Northampton and Meekatharra have been warned to get ready for severe thunderstorms developing from late Sunday morning and continuing into the evening.

WA police told AAP today that no emergency incidents had been reported as a result of Cyclone Narelle.

Wind speeds over 215kph can bee seen in this NASA animation of Cyclone Narelle, created using data from NASA's TRMM satellite.

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'Top timber wasted to refurbish railway'

TOP TIMBER: Jarrah railway sleepers in a Picton holding yard before being sent out to fix railway lines. Picture: Kim Redman Source: PerthNow

ANGRY: Clint Clarke from Port Jarrah Furniture in Fremantle says using prime-grade jarrah for railway sleeper is 'ridiculous' and 'totally wrong' . Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

WA'S finest jarrah trees are being cut down and sold for railway sleepers by the State Government's logging agency despite a policy banning the practice, according to insiders.

Jarrah in WA is harvested by the Government-run Forest Products Commission, which rates logs as first, second or third-grade.

Only lower-quality logs are allowed to be used for railway sleepers, while higher-grade jarrah must be ``value-added'' and used for high-quality products such as furniture or floorboards.

But big swaths of WA's freight rail lines are being re-sleepered, fuelling a big rise in demand.

To meet the orders, the FPC stands accused of downgrading top-quality jarrah.

It logged more than 170,000 tonnes of jarrah in the past financial year and the demand for third-grade logs used to make the sleepers was double the previous year at 20,000 tonnes.

Al Corbet, former owner of the Australian Craftwood Timbers mill near Manjimup, claimed fine jarrah was being used for sleepers in a ``rampant waste of WA's finest timber''.

Other mill workers in the South-West also said the FPC appeared to be supplying top-grade jarrah for sleepers.
WA Forest Alliance spokeswoman Jess Beckerling said she, too, had testimony from those working in the industry of fine jarrah being turned into sleepers a practice ``straight out of the Dark Ages''.

"We're talking 200-year-old logs, prime grade something you'd make a beautiful dining room table with,'' Mr Corbet said. ``Most Third World countries have a better harvesting regime than WA. It's appalling.''

Forestry Minister Terry Redman said the claims were a matter for the FPC.

A spokesman for the agency said as much profit as possible was derived from harvested timber. He said timber sleepers were eco-friendly because they stored carbon, while concrete ``requires large quantities of energy to produce''.

"Accusations that logs are deliberately downgraded for any reason are false,'' he said. ``Those making such claims should be asked to provide evidence. It is too easy to make such statements which are aimed at damaging the integrity of FPC's staff.''

Fremantle-based Port Jarrah Furniture owner Clint Clarke said using fine jarrah for sleepers was ``wrong'', while South-West Environment Centre convenor Mark Sheehan said concrete or plantation timber should be used instead.

An Auditor-General's report into freight railways found concrete sleepers lasted 50 years compared with 20 for jarrah.
 

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