Couple snare $20 million Powerball win

A COUPLE from Perth's southern suburbs has won a life-changing $20 million Division 1 prize pool in last night's Powerball draw.

A Cannington couple have won $20 million in Powerball. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

A COUPLE from Perth's southern suburbs has won a life-changing $20 million Division 1 prize pool in last night's Powerball draw.

The winning ticket was bought from the Carousel Lottery Centre and Newsagency in Cannington.

The couple said they realised they were winners last night after watching the draw and then going online to double check the numbers.

"At first I thought I had won a Division 2 prize, so around $110,000, which I thought was very nice. I then saw I also had the Powerball. That's when I felt like shouting from the rooftops. You just don't ever imagine coming into this sum of money," the man said.

The winning ticket was a Systems 7 ticket, which only $6.50.

"It just shows you can win on any ticket. You just have to be in the draw," they said.

The draw makes it the fourth largest Lotto prize win won in WA, with the record sitting at $30million which was won in 2001 and 2007.

The win also marks the third Division 1 Powerball win in WA this year.

In February, a Noranda family picked up the entire $20 million Division 1 prize pool and in May, a resident from the Esperance Goldfields region collected a $10 million prize.

Lotto winners are not the only ones who benefited from the jackpot, with Lotterywest raising almost $2 million for the WA community from the draw.
 

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Rudd gets chips but no votes in Perth

HE'S got his chip, but he doesn't have his vote.

Kevin Rudd today spent the longest time with real people during his campaign so far when he made a mammoth hour-long shopping centre tour of Perth's Carousel Westfield at Cannington.

Making a brief stop to refuel, he stole a chip from the plate of three courier drivers eating at chicken takeaway Nando's.

But while 23-year-old Mark Allen was happy to provide the nourishment, he said he would be voting for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

"I think the other guy's going to do a better job," Mr Allen said "He's a bit more stable in my mind."

Election 2013: Day 12 of the campaign

Mr Rudd's tour was mostly met with positivity and excitement as the PM cuddled babies, posed for selfies and told people about Labor's policies for jobs and the NBN.

PM Kevin Rudd with 10-month-old Jemima Satrio from Perth. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Limited

He spoke to many first-time voters who were so impressed they promised to vote Labor.

And he held several babies, including 13-week-old Hudson Dunn.

His mother Kirstin said she had a Kevin '07 T-shirt at home and would be voting for the leader once more.

Mr Rudd also met Samantha Fletcher who was on the phone to mum Teresa when she ran into the PM.

"You're mum's a New Zealander?" he asked of Samantha as he took the phone and spoke to her mother himself.

"There's been a bit of an earthquake in Wellington. I don't know if you got that news this morning," he said into the phone.

"I'll be talking to the New Zealand Prime Minister soon."

Shoppers gather around PM Kevin Rudd as he walks through Perth's Carrington Carousel shopping centre. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Limited

Mr Rudd has spent much of his campaign so far visiting schools and research facilities, although he mixed it with visitors to Brisbane's Ekka on Wednesday, serving them ice-creams at the show's iconic sundae stand.

He was mobbed by hundreds of excited people there too.

Mr Rudd's shopping centre stroll went better than his visit to Perth's Ctiy Link station this morning where he was heckled by a man shouting "you're a f---ing idiot."

As a woman commended the Prime Minister for the job he was doing and a man selling the Big Issue at the city's main train station asked about the government policy's on youth homelessness, Joshua Kyriakos Kailis yelled at Mr Rudd.

Later he said: "He is a f---ing idiot, why should I regret swearing?"

He called on Mr Rudd to resign.

Mr Rudd received a better welcome from Precious, a motley small dog, he picked up from a stroller and cuddled.

PM Kevin Rudd with"Precious". Picture: Adam Head Source: News Limited

Mr Rudd was touring new construction on the Perth City Link train station which is funded by the state and federal governments.

He was mobbed as he briefly walked among commuters on their way to work.

Kevin Rudd talks to workers at Perth's City Link station. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Limited

In his first foray to a construction site, the Prime Minister met with builders and commuters before spruiking the Federal Government's $236 million contribution to the $360 million project.

The works will sink part of the Fremantle line, create a new platform and pedestrian underpass and open up 50,000 square metres of space for urban development in the centre of the city.

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Hanson-Young blows up on radio

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has angrily hung up on Sydney talkback radio host Ben Fordham during a tense interview concerning asylum seekers.

Sarah Hanson-Young, Australian Greens Senator for South Australia, is facing a tough re-election fight. Picture: Matt Turner Source: News Limited

2GB host Ben Fordham got under the skin of Sarah Hanson-Young. Source: Supplied

GREENS Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has angrily hung up on Sydney talkback radio host Ben Fordham during a tense interview concerning asylum seekers.

The senator fumed after an aggressive Mr Fordham said her refugee policy "stinks" and was a "laughing stock".

"I don't know why you bother to invite me on to interview me," she told Mr Fordham. "You can have your own opinions. Don't invite me back on your show just so can sit on your soapbox.

"You can do that without inviting people on your show. I'm sure you do it day in, day out."

Click.

Tension mounted after Mr Fordham asked if Ms Hanson-Young took responsibility for the deaths that have occurred at sea since the Rudd Government dismantled John Howard's immigration policies.

Ms Hanson-Young said no one who understands refugee policy believes more people came to Australia just because the Labor Party were elected in 2007.

Hanson-Young was asked if she felt responsible for the "1000 plus people drowning" since Labor changed its policy. Source: News Limited

But Mr Fordham argued it was not the change of government but the Labor Government's change of policy that had seen the number of boats arriving on Australia's borders.

"You supported a policy which has led to 50,000 people arriving here ever since and 1000 plus people drowning to the bottom of the ocean and dying," Mr Fordham said. "They're not on the earth anymore."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott declared "this is our country" when he announced a harsh asylum seeker policy this morning.

It would see future arrivals and asylum seekers currently awaiting processing by Australia placed on three-year temporary protection visas if they are found to be genuine refugees.

Who is right? Leave a comment below or continue the conversation on Twitter: @drpiotrowski @sarahinthesen8 @benfordham

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WA scam victims lose $2m in days

An elderly man has lost a million dollars in an online romance scam. Source: The Daily Telegraph

OVERSEAS con artists have swindled West Australians out of $2 million in just five days.

Among the 24 victims who contacted WA Scamnet between August 5 and 9 was a man aged in his seventies who lost one million dollars in a romance scam.

The Great Southern man had been communicating with at least three fraudsters online, one for longer than three years, a Consumer Protection spokesman said.

The man had been sending money to many different places, including Ghana, and was now destitute.

West Australians fall for local scams

Consumer Protection commissioner Anne Driscoll said the financial losses suffered were "staggering".

"People who have fallen victim to the clever tactics of professional and well-organised criminals not only suffer huge financial losses, but their confidence, trust and self-esteem are seriously eroded as well," she said.

"It's heart-breaking to hear the stories of victims who, in many cases, have lost their life savings and also suffer the emotional and psychological effects of their traumatic experience.

"I urge anyone sending money to a person overseas who they have only met via the internet, to be suspicious and discuss their situation with family and friends or contact us.

"We will be able to provide them with some clarity and advice, free of any judgement."

Other WA victims include a Croatian woman who lost $18,000 in a "help me" scam, two people who lost $180,000 and $91,000 each in separate romance frauds and a person who lost $500,000 in an investment scam.

Last year WA woman Jette Jacobs, 67, was found dead in a villa after travelling to South Africa to visit a Nigerian love interest, who authorities believe was scamming her.

And earlier this week, a Nigerian man was arrested in his home country after trying to sell a WA property that was not his, using fake documents.

Suspected scams should be reported to WA Scamnet.
 

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FMG minesite worker crushed to death

WorkSafe WA is investigating the death of a mine worker at FMG's Christmas Creek iron ore mine, south of Nullagine. Source: Supplied

A MAINTENANCE worker has died at FMG's Christmas Creek minesite, the first death at a WA mine in almost two years.

Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety Executive Director Simon Ridge said a contractor aged in his mid-twenties sustained fatal crush injuries while working in an ore processing plant.

The man was employed by Fortescue's contractor Crushing Services International (CSI).

A team of DMP mines safety inspectors will arrive at the site today to commence a thorough investigation, while operations at the incident site have been suspended.

"Our thoughts are with family, friends and colleagues who have been impacted by this tragic incident," Mr Ridge said.

"This is a sad day for the entire Western Australian resources industry.

"Our safety inspectors and investigators will now commence a full and thorough investigation into this incident, to get to the bottom of how this has occurred."

Mr Ridge urged everyone involved in onsite mine works to be vigilant.

"Know the hazards in your workplace and employ the right risk management processes to control them," he said.

Electrical Trades Union WA secretary Les McLaughlan said the union had previously raised general concerns about CSI's safety practices and specific concerns about the kind of work the man was undertaking.

"This man's death is a tragedy and we believe it may have been prevented if CSI had listened to our concerns about its safety practices,'' he said.

"Working on live equipment is inherently dangerous.

"What we need to know is whether the company took any extra safety precautions after we raised these concerns.''

The incident also highlighted the danger of people working alone at night, Mr McLaughlan said.

Resources Minister Gary Gray said the death was sad and unfortunate.

"We went nearly two years without a mine site death - the longest period in the mining history of Western Australia,'' he told a mining conference in Perth.

"Our industry will feel grief and sadness for the family.''

The last WA mines fatality occurred in August 2011, with 2012 recording its first fatality-free year in more than a century.

Fortescue Metals Group sent an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange this morning about the worker's death.

In the announcement, company secretary Mark Thomas said the relevant authorities and the man's family had been notified.

"Chaplaincy and counselling services are being made available to colleagues and to the family members who have been notified of the incident," Mr Thomas said.

Operations director David Woodall said the company was saddened by the incident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the worker's loved ones at this time," he said.

"Mining and processing operations at the mine were suspended overnight.

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Abbott remains tight-lipped on costs

Tony Abbott has said that the Coalition's full policy costings won't be released until the last week of the election campaign. Courtesy: 7:30 Report

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told the 7.30 program's Leigh Sale he would not reveal the Coalition's full costings until the final week of the campaign. Source: Supplied

TONY Abbott has confirmed that the Coalition's full policy costings won't be released until the last week of the election campaign.

Mr Abbott said that he would still be releasing policies right up until the week of the September 7 poll and only after all the detail was out there would it be revealed how they would be paid for.

"Every policy that we put out will be costed and funded," Mr Abbott told the ABC's 7.30 program.

"We intend to keep putting out policies right up until last week of the campaign.

"When all our policies are out there we will be able to tell you exactly how much we will spend."

Mr Abbott has come under fire from the government, who say he is staring down the barrel of a $70 billion revenue shortfall.

But Mr Abbott says that figure is a lie.

The interview between Mr Abbott and 7.30 host Leigh Sales was relatively positive considering their previous encounters have not been so nice.

It was Mr Abbott's first interview on the program of the election campaign after Kevin Rudd fronted the program last Wednesday.

The last time Mr Abbott faced off with Sales was in April this year. He has had numerous contentious interviews with her including a notorious one in which he admitted he hadn't read a BHP statement on the stalling of its Olympic Dam project despite trying to talk with authority about the issue.

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Nigeria arrest for WA house scam

Ntuen Promise Ekenmini was arrested over an attempted fake home sale in WA. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

A Nigerian man has been arrested over an attempted fake home sale in WA. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

A MAN has been arrested in Nigeria over the attempted fraudulent sale of a house in Western Australia.

Ntuen Promise Ekenmini was arrested yesterday when he visited an international courier office and tried to collect settlement documents with a forged driver's licence in the name of the real South African home owner.

Ekenmini is expected to be charged with forgery and identity theft.

The arrest follows an eight-month investigation by WA Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and authorities in South Africa and Nigeria.

Police allege the attempted fraud began when Ekenmini contacted the property manager of a WA real estate agency in December 2012 claiming to own a home in Falcon, south of Perth, which was being managed by the agency.

He requested documents relating to the rented property and allegedly used a Yahoo email address in the name of one of the real owners, and requested future correspondence be forwarded to that email and phone calls to be made to a new mobile number.

In January, the agency received a request to sell the property and a sales agreement with false signatures was completed by the offenders and returned to the agent.

Copies of fake passports and a forged document purporting to be from the Australian High Commission in Pretoria confirming their identity were also sent.

However, suspicions were raised by staff at the agency, who worked with WA detectives to identify the offenders.

The AFP liaised with South African and Nigerian police, who monitored the controlled delivery of the fake settlement documents in Johannesburg and Nigeria.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dom Blackshaw said investigations were continuing into other possible offenders, and potential links between this case and two successful and five attempted frauds reported in WA in the past five years.

Six of the seven cases involved owners who lived in South Africa, had investment properties in Perth that were rented and had their identities stolen, he said.

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Rudd adds fuel to WA economy

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Perth in July. He is set to make an announcement regarding petroleum resources on Friday. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd will be in Perth tomorrow to announce a "petroleum precinct" to co-ordinate the search for fuel resources in Western Australia.

Senior Government sources have confirmed to PerthNow that Mr Rudd will make the multi-million dollar announcement at the CSIRO's Australian Resources Research Centre in Kensington.

The petroleum precinct will bring together private resource companies as well as experts from the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and the CSIRO to seek new petroleum resources which are able to be exploited into the future.

"This will create a cluster effect of experts from the government bodies and the seed funding from resource companies which combined will make Perth a leader in petroleum exploration,'' , the source said.

 

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Road-train killer due for release

Douglas John Edwin Crabbe could be released within days. Picture: Archive News Ltd Source: PerthNow

ONE of Australia's most notorious mass murderers could be released into the WA community within days.

Douglas John Edwin Crabbe, 66, killed five people and injured 16 others when he ploughed his road-train into a crowded Ayres Rock pub after he was kicked out for anti-social behaviour on August 18, 1983.

He was originally sentenced to serve the rest of his life in an Alice Springs prison but had it changed after the Northern Territory changed its laws in 2004.

He was instead given a 30-year non-parole period for the crimes.

A year later, Crabbe was moved to WA after he applied for a transfer to be closer to his family.

He is due for his first statutory review this Sunday – exactly three decades after the horrific atrocity.

PerthNow understands the WA Prisoners Review Board has already carried out its review of Crabbe.

But because of the gravity of his crimes, a final decision over whether to release the 66-year-old rests with WA Attorney-General Michael Mischin.

A spokeswoman for the Attorney-General confirmed the board is due to submit a report with its recommendation either on or around Crabbe's statutory review date of August 18.

She said once the report had been submitted, the Attorney General would then "consider and make a decision".

One of Crabbe's victims Lydia Hannah, who now lives in Queensland, told PerthNow she did not believe Crabbe should be granted freedom.

Ms Hannah was knocked unconscious during the incident but then spent the next two years recovering from her injuries.

She also lost four friends that night. Helen Fuller, 22, David Seng, 24, Leslie McKay-Ramsey, 35, and 21-year-old Adrian Durin.

Another woman, Patricia Slinn, 45, was also killed.

Ms Hannah told PerthNow she had written to the Attorney-General appealing for him to also consider the survivors.

"This guy killed five people and injured 16 others," she said. "He was never to be released. How do you go from never being able to be released to serving just 30 years?

"I just think it's crazy if he gets out. He has robbed all these other families of their loved ones. Why should he be free?"

She added: "People who say he has done his time, what exactly do they base that on? Were they there? Did they get injured? Did they lose a loved one?

"People that say that are generally people that have never lost someone in those circumstances.

"If it was their own child or someone in their family they wouldn't be saying that."
 

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Abbott had beer goggles on: Latham

Former Labor leader Mark Latham has weighed into the Tony Abbott "sex appeal" controversy. Source: News Limited

COLOURFUL former Labor leader Mark Latham has leapt with both feet into the Tony Abbott "sex appeal" controversy, saying the Opposition Leader must have been drunk to think candidate Fiona Scott attractive.

"It showed very bad judgement and it shows he has low standards," Latham told Melbourne radio station 3AW of the comments.

Mr Abbott caused an uproar on Tuesday when he described politician Fiona Scott, his candidate for the seat of Lindsay, as having "a bit of sex appeal" when he was comparing her to former Liberal member Jackie Kelly.

The Oppostion Leader was accused earlier today of sexism by Kevin Rudd, but Mr Latham took his criticism further and in a suitably strange direction this afternoon.

"I had a good look at Fiona Scott on page eight ... and she doesn't have sex appeal at all.

"She's not that good of a sort."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott caused controversy when he described candidate Fiona Scott as haivng "sex appeal". Source: News Limited

Interviewer Tom Elliot interrupted the one-time wannabe PM to tell him his comments were worse than the ones that landed Tony Abbott in hot water on the campaign trail yesterday.

"That's worse than what Tony Abbott said," radio announcer Tom Elliott said.

"You just can't call a woman plain like that."

But Latham was not to be dissuaded, accusing Mr Abbott of trying to win over male voters with the "daggy dad" moment.

"She's a rather plain ordinary-looking woman and Abbott has exaggerated massively to try and win her vote among the blokes ... "

"Tony had the beer goggles on and in politics they say it's showbiz for ugly people and I don't think she'll (Fiona) be out of place."

"He's gilding the lily here, he must have had the beer goggles on".

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Premier walks out of parliament

Premier Colin Barnett walked out of parliament today after coming under fire during budget reply speeches. Source: The Australian

THE West Australian government has come under fire from within its own party during budget reply speeches in parliament, prompting Premier Colin Barnett to momentarily walk out.

Maverick Liberal backbencher Rob Johnson - who has dogged Mr Barnett since he was axed as police minister in a cabinet reshuffle in June 2012 - was today highly critical of the 2013/14 budget handed down last week.

Mr Johnson said the Liberals had made promises before the March poll that it either knew, or should have known it could not afford to keep.

In light of mounting debt, he suggested the government rethink its $2 billion airport rail link project, which he said it had dreamt up after the opposition started its election campaign strongly with the MetroNet rail plan.

Barnett 'flexible' on super councils

Mr Johnson suggested a public debate be held on what public transport infrastructure the state truly needed and could afford.

It's the second time in three days he has publicly lambasted his own party.

On Monday, he took to talkback radio to slam the state government's plan to halve the tariff rate for households that feed in surplus solar power to the grid. Moments later, the plan was reversed amid a strong public backlash, prompting an apology from Mr Barnett.

The premier walked out of the chamber when Mr Johnson began speaking today, but returned later, only to be heckled by Labor member for Collie-Preston Mick Murray.

Mr Murray said the budget was "the worst" and mocked the government for describing its election commitments earlier this year as fully funded and costed.

"I don't know how to take this government because (of) its deception and the lies that were told before the election," he said.

"It must have had some inkling of where the whole budgetary process was going, but I think they just went out there and pulled the blind down, and said 'let's go for it - we'll deal with it when we get there'."
 

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Digger-attack soldier shot dead

Three Australians were seriously wounded in the attack by Mohammad Rozi. Source: News Limited

A WANTED Afghan soldier who wounded three Diggers in a 2011 unprovoked shooting has been tracked down and killed.

The Afghan Ministry of Defence said Mohammad Rozi was killed by Afghan commandoes on Wednesday morning in the north-eastern province of Takhar, about 400km from where he was last seen.

A provincial official said Rozi had travelled to Takhar at the request of his dying father who had asked to see his son for the last time.

Locals in the area reported a wild shoot-out early on Wednesday morning in which they said was the operation to detain Rozi.

It is the first time Afghan troops have successfully pursued an Afghan soldier responsible for attacks on Australian troops.

The hunt for Rozi came after he fired upon Australian and Afghan troops at a small patrol base about 30km from Australia's main base in the Uruzgan provincial capital of Tarin Kowt.

Three Australians were seriously wounded while two Afghan soldiers sustained minor injuries.

A well-prepared Rozi had packed a vehicle with weapons and supplies before fleeing after the sneak attack on the night of November 9, 2011. Until yesterday he had not been heard of since.

A member of Takhar's provincial council, Mujebur Rahman, said the operation on Wednesday morning was less than a kilometre from his house.

"We couldn't sleep because there were so many helicopters in the sky," he said.

"Then there was shooting and many grenades exploded."

Mr Rahman said neighbours of Rozi's father said the wanted soldier had returned recently to see his father because he was dying.

"His father was calling him and saying 'come and see me, I am very sick'," Mr Rahman said.

"From what I have been told he was with the Taliban in (neighbouring) Kunduz province and he came with a weapon and wouldn't surrender. He fought with the Afghan special forces and wounded three of them but then they used grenades and killed him. His face is completely destroyed and his father is in a coma."

In February last year, the Taliban posted a boastful 47-minute interview with Rozi in which he proudly spoke about shooting the Australians, falsely claiming he had killed 12 of them.

In the video, Rozi says; ''I had one mission on my mind - to kill foreigners and teach them a lesson. We are Muslims. We cannot accept foreigners.

"I prepared the grenade launcher and my gun with 200 bullets. Foreigners were sitting in a room. They were fire worshippers around a big fire. There were 12 of them. A soldier ran to me and asked me what I was doing. He suspected my motives. I told him that it was none of his business … I opened fire. When the bullets ran out it was time to use the rocket launcher.''

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Life's biggest regret speech becomes global hit

Writer George Saunders regrets not showing more kindness. Picture: AP Source: AP

SCHOOL might not be the best years of your life, but the experience can define your values.

It's been 42 years since the best-selling New York Times short story author, George Saunders was at school, but he still gets a pang of regret when he thinks about 'Ellen'. That's a made-up name for a real girl from Saunders' seventh grade class. She wore blue glasses, had an unfortunate habit of sucking her hair when she was nervous, and was the butt of most kid's jokes.

"Relative to most of the other kids, I was actually pretty nice to her. I never said an unkind word to her. In fact, I sometimes even (mildly) defended her. But still. It bothers me," he said.

That story formed the basis of a speech Saunders recently gave for the graduating class of Syracuse University 2013. Failures of kindness, he said was the biggest regret of his life.

"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

"Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet.

"It's a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I'd say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder."

Saunders's simple words hit struck a powerful nerve. Within hours of the graduating ceremony it went viral on the internet and then Random House has struck him a book deal.

David Ulin, a book reviewer for the LA Times wrote a piece last week suggesting Saunders's witty and wise style of address, similar to David Foster Wallace's, This Is Water speech.

It's probably also because this notion of kindness is exactly as Saunders's suggests - a little lost on modern society.

But decide for yourself, read the full speech and tell us what you think in the comments below.

Keep the conversation going on Twitter @lucyjk |@newscomauhq

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Chicken Treat poison case falls flat

SICK: 11 people consumed caustic soda at a Bunbury Chicken Treat story. Picture: Twitter, Peter Kapsanis, Channel 9 Source: PerthNow

NO police charges will be laid over the poisoning of 11 people at a Bunbury fast food store in May.

Police spokesman Gerry Cassidy said today that the investigation into caustic soda on chips at the Bunbury Chicken Treat on May 22 had been closed.

He said there was no evidence of criminality for charges to be laid. But the City of Bunbury's health department may still pursue charges under the Food Act.

Five children aged under 10 were among the 11 people who needed hospital treatment after eating the Chicken Treat chips laced in the cleaning chemical.

Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is commonly used as a detergent or drain cleaner and causes chemical burns in contact with the skin, and can induce permanent blindness if it contacts eyes.

Staff were interviewed, as forensic tests were carried out at the Blair Street outlet, which was closed for several days.

In a statement at the time, Chicken Treat said it "deeply regrets'' the incident.

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Australia's priciest pad at $60m

For those with a spare $60 million, 6 Carrara Road, Vaucluse, could be yours. Photo: John Appleyard. Source: News Limited

A MANSION with an eye-watering price tag of $60 million could become the most expensive home ever sold in Australia.

The hotel-sized Sydney house is set over three sprawling levels, covers more than 2000 square metres internally, and features nine bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

If it sells for the whopping asking price, it will set the record as the nation's biggest-ticket residential real estate.

The yet-to-be-completed Vaucluse property at 6 Carrara Road is owned by international bank consultant Andrew Ipkendanz, who went to school in Sydney and now lives in London.

Real estate agent Bill Bridges of Ballard Property has had enquiries about the house from potential buyers, despite it being three to four months off completion.

Asian buyers in particular are believed to have shown the most interest.

The home is undergoing a major revamp. Photo: John Appleyard Source: News Limited

"It's not quite finished but it will be a better house than ($54 million Sydney house) Altona,'' Mr Bridges said.

Altona, an eight-bedroom waterfront property on Wunulla Road, Point Piper sat on and off the market for more than three years before it sold in May for $54 million.

The Australian house price record sits at $57.5 million for a home (pictured below) in Mosman Park, Perth, which was sold to mining magnate Chris Ellison in 2009.

The Australian house price record sits at $57.5 million for this Perth home, which sold in 2009. Photo: Stewart Allan. Source: News Limited

The Vaucluse house on Hermit Bay reportedly had an offer of $50 million, which is believed to have been knocked back.

The property is the amalgamation of two large blocks bought by Mr Ipkendanz in 1997 for about $6.1 million. The house is believed to have cost more than $20 million to build.

For its eventual new owners, nearby neighbours will include James Packer, and restaurateur and hotelier Justin Hemmes.

To be expected from one of Sydney's most upmarket suburbs, prestigious retail and eat streets will be at their doorstep. Vaucluse features sweeping Sydney harbour views, beautiful surrounding parks and close proximity to the city.

However, some industry experts are skepitcal the house will sell for anywhere near its asking price as it is in Vaucluse, not the more expensive Point Piper.

Buyer's agent Simon Cohen, of CohenHandler told news.com.au he doesn't believe the property has the right address to reach $60 million

"The home is on a waterfront reserve, not absolute waterfront, it isn't finished and it's not the most prestigious street in the suburb," Mr Cohen said.

"It's also a very tight street," he said, referring to the residentially crowded enclave.

Mr Cohen believes $45 million would be a more realistic price for the property.

However he says it is a better house than Altona (pictured below), offering full-frontal views of the Harbour Bridge and city.

Eight-bedroom, seven-bathroom house Altona at Point Piper sold for $54 million in May. Photo: AFP. Source: AFP

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Solar panel backflip: 'We got it wrong'

Premier Colin Barnett has abandoned a decision to halve a solar tariff rate for residents, just four days after announcing it.

The WA Government has reversed its decision on the solar panel feedback tariff Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

The WA Government has reversed its decision on the solar panel feedback tariff. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

The WA Government has reversed its decision on the solar panel feedback tariff Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

IN a spectacular backflip, Premier Colin Barnett has reversed the decision to slash the residential net Feed in Tariff for rooftop solar panels.

The decision was made in a State Cabinet meeting and comes on the back of widespread anger over the original announcement made in the Budget last week.

The solar panel tariff cuts was a hugely unpopular decision in last Thursday's Budget.

"Quite simply, we got this decision wrong and we have to fix it," Mr Barnett said in a statement.

"We have listened, and we appreciate the commitment that many people have made to take up renewable energy, like solar power."

WA politicians immediately took to Twitter to applaud the backflip

Opinion: Barnett's reputation damaged by feed in tariff debacle

Treasurer Troy Buswell had only moments earlier told journalists there was no chance the decision would be reversed.

The program, introduced in 2009, was such a success the Liberal government admitted in 2011 the take-up cap had been breached, costing it some $46 million more than planned.

Mr Buswell denied the reversal was embrassing or that he'd been hung out to dry.

``I have a job to do in government ... protecting the finances of the state,'' he told reporters.

``It's not always going to mean that you're the most popular person in town.''

Mr Barnett said the budget attempted to "achieve a balance" for residents.

"We understand that this measure would have had an unfair impact on one section of the community and it has to be reversed," he said.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said outrage from the community forced Mr Barnett to quickly re-evaluate.

"This is the clearest indication yet that the Premier was out of touch when he set his goals for this budget. He should also urgently make a genuine commitment to transition to renewable energy," she said.

"Well done to Western Australians who stood up and rejected this unfair decision.

"Broken promises to 75,000 WA homeowners would have meant that their solar panel investment will fail to recoup money outlaid in the predicted ten year time frame."

The opposition was to hold a rally outside parliament today, protesting against the move to halve the tariff.

Government in turmoil - McGowan

``Honestly, how bad is the Barnett government - complete, utter turmoil,'' WA Labor leader Mark McGowan tweeted.

The decision also brought on an internal backlash, with Southern River MLA Peter Abetz labelling the move unethical while maverick Hillarys MLA Rob Johnson threatened to cross the floor for the first time in his 20 year political career.

Mr Johnson said his constituents were irate after the government's annoucement last Thursday to ditch its original 40c deal.

``People feel they have been absolutely dudded by the government,'' he told ABC radio on Monday.

``And I can't help but agree with them.''

Some 18 Liberal MPs had met over the weekend to discuss the matter and all had made comments of disgust, he said.

``We should never renege on a contract with the people. It is disgraceful that we should even contemplate that.

``People have been misled in general terms on many areas, but this one is a very serious one because it affects people and their ability to spend their money.

``I won't have a bar of it.''

Political analyst Peter Kennedy said the decade-long tariff promise to 75,000 WA households that feed excess power into the grid could have sparked a voter backlash against the Liberal party at the September 7 federal election, potentially representing 150,000 voters.

Budget backlash: Win for people-power

Anger over the change in rebate had spread even within the Liberal Party's own ranks.

Rob Johnson slammed Government

Earlier today angry Liberal backbencher Rob Johnson slammed his party for spending "like a Labor government" and turning paid members off the party.

Speaking to PerthNow before the Government backflip, Mr Johnson said since the State Government announced last week that it would slash the rooftop solar panel rebate by half, his office had been inundated with phone calls and emails by angry electors.

Residents with solar panels have been left fuming over last week's Budget announcement that the rooftop solar panel subsidy would be halved in an effort to save about $51 million in the next four years, going back on its 10-year contract.

Mr Johnson said the government should not have gone back on its deal with the 75,000 solar panel owners.

"I have been inundated on this issue, on Friday my two office staff all day long were fielding phone calls and emails," Mr Johnson said.

"I have had more emails on this than anything else, genuine emails."

Mr Johnson said he had become concerned about the amount of debt the Liberal government had been creating.

He said the current State Budget was like "shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic."

"They're getting us into a situation that normally a Labor government would," he said.

According to Mr Johnson, the Liberal Party was losing votes from financial members because of the moves.

"These are ordinary members of the public who are members of the Liberal Party, ordinary mums and dads, and they're saying they're not going to even vote Liberal in the Federal election," Mr Johnson said.

"And that concerns me because we have got some good candidates."

This morning on ABC radio, Mr Johnson said Premier Colin Barnett and Treasurer Troy Buswell should have looked at cutting other projects before ripping up the solar contracts.

"There's been so much money wasted, quite frankly," Mr Johnson told ABC.

"It's a question of what is it that we need and what is it that we simply want. Do we need Elizabeth Quay? No we don't somebody simply wants it.

"Do we need a new footy stadium at the cost of billions of dollars, for twenty thousand people, no I don't believe we do it's something that's simply wanted not needed."

Yesterday Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said he would ``take on'' Mr Barnett after the state government reneged on a 10-year undertaking for households that feed in solar power to the grid.

Mr McGowan tweeted on Sunday: ``Anyone unhappy with Mr Barnett ripping up their family's solar contract should come to parliament at 2.45pm Tuesday where we will take him on.''

The state government believes it is safe from legal action over the decision, despite many householders expressing their outrage on talkback radio.

The program, introduced in 2009, was such a success that the Liberal government had to admit in 2011 the take-up cap had been breached, costing about $46 million more than planned.

The Premier's office has been contacted for comment.
 

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The mystery surrounding cabin 5281

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington - the couple missing from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship. Source: News Limited

A CAMERA captured the first images even before they'd boarded, the cruise ship's resident photographer snapping cheesy portraits beside the gangway.

As days slipped by aboard the Carnival Spirit, glossy prints multiplied on the onboard gallery shelves. Cuddling on a jetty among grass-skirted locals against the azure backdrop of an island stopover. Posing casually with her brother, sister and parents.

The ship's roving video crew filmed them relaxing in the sought-after sun pods and hammocks of the adult-only Serenity Deck, away from squealing kids wired from abusing their bottomless soft-drink deal.

Slip mystery surrounds missing cruise couple

Security cameras guarding the pokies and roulette wheels captured other vision: a dispute in the casino on the last day at sea, and a retreat to the apricot decor of cabin 5281.

Thermal cameras caught the fuzzy outlines of their falling bodies as they tumbled, separately, from the wooden balcony rail into the fizzing, inky water below.

Paul Rossington and Kristen Schroder - the couple missing from the Carnival Cruise ship.

Many hours later, back at Sydney Harbour, more cameras flashed as police moved methodically among fingerprint dust collecting clues to help explain the mystery of two young lovers forever lost at sea.

THE Fun Times newsletter dropped by a cabin steward on the bed each night - along with a square of chocolate and towels twisted into exotic animal shapes - directs the ebb and flow of life aboard the Carnival Spirit.

Activities range from five-game bingo and arthritis seminars to hairy chest contests and a bawdy hypnotist show.

All guests assemble for a mandatory safety briefing at 5pm the first night, though some barely listen and rush off at the first chance to their balconies or the decks to wave farewell to reality - and get stuck into the food.

Dining options abound. Snags at Fat Jimmy's barbecue. Freshly cooked slices from the 24/7 pizza stand. Ginger ale and plain biscuits for queasy stomachs. Three-course dinners in the Empire room, where spontaneous renditions of the nutbush from cheery staff mask their homesickness after months straight at sea earning money to send home.

Plastic passes carried by each passenger act as room key and credit card, allowing purchases from a coffee to $3000 in casino chips to be charged back to rooms.

Early risers who are not invigorated by the sunrises or yoga sessions can enjoy screwdrivers and bloody Marys before lunch, and $2 blackjack hands from 8am until noon.

Bathers and resort wear are the dominant dress for days by the pool or on shore excursions. Two nights deemed "elegant" see guests don their finest. Another night, guests mingle in white terry-towelling for a "bathrobe bash".

On Caribbean theme night, grown men compete with children to dress as pirates, complete with eye patches and parrots, for prizes.

Guests are as diverse as the cities they come from. New parents on their first getaway with a toddler. A bride in a white gypsy dress, celebrating her nuptials at the early dinner sitting. Retirees on their second marriages and their fourth cruise. Women celebrating recent divorces with scented massages at the day spa. Forty-something school friends on the prowl in the multi-level disco for the few eligible singles aboard. Adult families looking for a cheap and easy way to see the world together.

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington - the couple missing from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship.

TWO months before her Pacific Island cruise, Kristen Dennis had chucked in her Sydney real estate career and packed up her beloved pets and belongings to live with Paul Rossington, a paramedic based at Barraba in NSW, near Tamworth.

Since they'd been dating, Kristen, 27, and Paul, 30, had lived apart, with only snatched weekends together when his hectic shiftwork allowed.

She dubbed the March moving date "dream day" and her belongings were barely unpacked when she declared to friends she was happier than ever. "Progress used to mean lower vacancies, less arrears, higher returns," she wrote.

"Now it means ... my amazing man snoozing beside me on the couch. This 'progress' is most important, the progress to peace, comfort, real contentment and happiness. None of the other crap was ever important to me, this is what counts."

Occasionally, Kristen's sunny social media posts darkened.

Two people are believed to have fallen off a cruise ship docked in circular quay - the Carnival Spirit. Picture: Robert Barker

In early January she asked friends if they could recommend a family law solicitor for an opinion, but when pressed for information said it was too personal to discuss.

Her frustration with former husband Matt Schroder was evident back in 2011, as she readied the house for Christmas. The tree was up, and bells on the door. But the man she married in 2007 wasn't there. While Kristen packed for a holiday to Europe, she bemoaned the heavy furniture blocking her from reaching the winter woollies she'd need: "And he is not home again (anyone surprised??) Why am I married to a man who is NEVER around?"

The navy pilot was often posted afar, including a tour to the Persian Gulf.

Guests at their wedding at HMAS Creswell on the shores of Jervis Bay, south of Sydney, remember the unusual cake. A smiling bride sat atop it, with a sailor in dress uniform scaling a ladder up the side, hands outstretched to her.

But the cake was cut long ago, and now, so were their ties. With a divorce and a change back to her maiden name, Kristen was more than ready to move on.

A room believed to be the cabin of Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington on the Carnival Spirit crusie liner. Picture: Adam Taylor

In January, Paul gave her an impressive ring, which she wore on her middle finger. "Just a little spoilt," she crowed to friends when she showed off the sparkler. She'd given him a promise ring, too. She wanted the world to know how happy they were, and that she loved him "beyond reason".

Paramedic Paul had wrangled time off his intense roster only with the promise to do extra days on his return to the ambulance station where he'd worked almost two years. A passionate surfer and fisherman, he'd been on cruises with his own family before, but was looking forward to spending time with the Dennis clan as he cemented his life with Kristen.

As much as they were anticipating the holiday, animal lover Kristen feared she'd miss their "babies".

The devoted pet owner fretted about leaving the couple's combined menagerie, all rescued from animal shelters - an adult cat, two recently acquired kittens, and three dogs.

The move from the city to Barraba meant Kristen couldn't continue her volunteer "pound round" duties, walking or sometimes just sitting with dogs facing death row. But she continued helping as best she could from her new home, posting frequent social media urgings for others to adopt or foster and give unwanted animals a chance at life.

The day before they left for the cruise, Paul popped home for lunch to cuddle their pets and to offer his opinion on the shoes and formal wear Kristen should pack.

Like most other things, her excitement at the thought of time away with Paul, her mum Roxene and dad Reg, younger brother Aaron and his partner, and pregnant sister Dee and her husband Sascha, spilled on to Facebook: "It's going to be awesome to have the most important people in my world around me for 10 days."

THAT final night, home was tantalisingly close. The Carnival Spirit was in party mode as it sliced through the waters off the NSW coast, about nine hours before the expected arrival back in Sydney. Sauvignon blanc and Jack Daniel's - the most popular drinks aboard - flowed freely.

Throughout the voyage, cruise director Stu Dunn had exhorted passengers to have the time of their lives, a time they'd never forget, and most were. Kristen and Paul - who on land was often the last one to leave a party and the first one up in the morning for a surf - didn't want any more entertainment.

They'd retreated to their cabin after an earlier spat in the casino, skipping dinner with the others. After the sun set, the halo from the ship's lights illuminated the surrounding ocean for about 30 metres. Beyond that glow, the Tasman Sea was black.

Memorial service for Paul Rossington. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Kristen and Paul's balcony cabin was on deck five, at the rear of the ship.

Four decks up, directly above them, chilled-out drinkers were enjoying cocktails, though the darkness limited the 270-degree views.

Down below, on deck three, those seated by the windows for the late sitting at the Empire dining room had finished delicate salmon mains and were contemplating the chocolate melting cake for dessert.

Security staff patrolled the ship, and monitored a bank of CCTV cameras, though at that time of night most attention was focused on high-traffic areas such as the casino and bars. Only later, on recorded footage, did staff see Kristen and Paul's plunge from the ship about 8.50pm, off a wooden balcony rail just wide enough to stand on and about mid-torso high.

One after the other they tumbled, some seconds apart. The position of their cabin meant, with no alarm raised, in less than 30 seconds the ship had passed them by.

A room believed to be the cabin of Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington on the Carnival Spirit crusie liner. Picture: Adam Taylor

The hunt for them began only after Italian captain Adriano Binacchi's final cheery "ciao ciao" over the loudspeaker. When all other passengers disembarked, the couple's luggage remained uncollected. Checks revealed two passengers hadn't swiped off the ship with their "sail and sign" cards.

What could possibly have happened to them?

By the time an extensive air and sea search started, they'd been missing about 15 hours.

As word leaked out, people puzzled at how two people could tumble and then vanish into the ocean. Were they imitating a scene from the movie Titanic? Was it foul play? A suicide pact? Across the nation, people pondered the most pressing question: could they still be alive?

SARAH Kirby is proof you can fall from a moving cruise ship in the middle of the ocean and survive.

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington - the couple missing from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship.

The birthday girl was aboard a Carnival Destiny cruise from Miami to Jamaica in October last year when she drunkenly toppled overboard about midnight. She describes her survival as "an absolute miracle".

The American women fell further than Paul and Kristen - dropping two storeys, hitting a lifeboat, then tumbling five more. Her injuries included fractured bones and ribs, hypothermia, blood clots, and severe bruising. That was the least of her problems. Alone in the black water, she watched, with rising panic, as the ship sped away.

Unable to see lights after a while, she realised she was bleeding into the water, and feared a shark attack was imminent. "Please don't let me die, please don't let something eat me," she whimpered repeatedly.

She swam until she ran out of energy, then floated face-up to catch her breath. Waves crashed into her face, and the more saltwater she swallowed, the more she coughed and threw up.

When they couldn't find her aboard, her friend and partner begged staff to turn the vessel around to find her. They did. Almost two hours after Sarah fell, a crew member in a life boat approached and helped her aboard. After a week in intensive care, and three more weeks in hospital, she was home. Lawyers have filed a lawsuit against Carnival in the US. It is set for trial early next year. But such survival tales are rare.

Memorial service for Paul Rossington - his mother Christeen and his father Richard. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Victorian Trevor Gready knows the flipside of a man overboard. His son Andrew, 24, jumped off the Pacific Sky about 6km off the coast of Queensland on the last night of a cruise with his family in 2005.

Another son, Chris, and other passengers frantically threw chairs, tables and lifebuoys to mark the spot and to give Andrew something to cling to.

Trevor says Chris was so distraught at his brother's plight, he felt an overwhelming urge to jump in.

"He wanted to save him. A family friend stopped him," Trevor says. "It's a good thing, or they would have been trying to find two of them."

He and his wife heard the alarms go off, but didn't realise at first it was for an incident involving their son.

Soon a ship officer knocked on Trevor's cabin door to inform him, assuring "don't worry, we'll get him back". But, though the ship turned around, the rescue bid failed. Trevor says his son, who'd been drinking, had talked throughout the cruise about jumping from an upper deck for an adrenaline rush. "He was a thrill seeker. He'd go and jump off cliffs into the ocean and stuff," he says.

His family remain badly affected by their loss. "None of us have handled it very well," he says. "We miss him every day. The worst part is we never found him. There's no one to bring home."

ON the Carnival Spirit, as cabin stewards did their rounds to make guest cabins feel like home for their final night - turning down beds, switching on soft lamps - Paul and Kristen were in the casino, between the main lobby and a sports bar on deck two. They hadn't had much, if anything, to drink all day and had skipped dinner with the family.

Guests gravitate to the gambling hub, where one of the security supervisors is a dead ringer for rugby league identity Paul "Fatty" Vautin and the croupiers smile between gritted teeth, thinking of the money they're missing because Aussies don't tip as well as Americans.

Staff make a peculiar air-kiss noise to attract attention instead of shouting out. Kristen and Paul weren't quite shouting, but they weren't kissing either as they had a spat on the gaming floor.

Make: CanonModel: Canon EOS-1D XDate/Time: 2013:05:09 16:00:11

Another of the ship's 600 CCTV cameras caught them mucking around as they passed through the heart of the ship, the copper-toned Spirit Atrium with its marble-topped bar, elaborate staircase leading up to the photo gallery, and glass lifts.

Up to level five they went. Down the corridor. Tenth door on the left. They were inside cabin 5281 by about 8.30pm. Only two people truly know what happened in the next 20 minutes.

Though police are preparing a brief for the NSW Coroner, and an inquest might flush out more detail, those who loved Kristen and Paul already know in their hearts the tragic mystery can never really be solved, at least not completely. Facts suggest one of them hit deck three before plunging into the water. Thermal images show a short gap between one and the other tumbling.

Carnival Australia says nothing is more important than the safety of guests and crew, and that the company consistently exceeds regulatory requirements and actively pursues further safety improvements.

The families speculate that she climbed up on the balcony rail for innocent reasons, lost her grip and slipped overboard. They believe that, instinctively and immediately, Paul jumped in to save her - half-brave, half-crazy but devoted to her safety and happiness until his last breath.

Two people are believed to have fallen off a cruise ship docked in circular quay - the Carnival Spirit. Picture: Robert Barker

For all the speculation, so many questions remain. United in grief, two families console themselves that two souls so devoted to each other, and so committed to protecting and rescuing, had each other for company in the swirling sea.

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Bondi Vet collapses in City2Surf drama

Bondi Vet Dr Chris Brown needed medical assistance after collapsing during the City2Surf. Source: Supplied

CELEBRITY TV vet Chris Brown is recovering after collapsing during the City2Surf run in Sydney.

Dr Brown, or The Bondi Vet as he is known from the popular TV show of the same name, was one of seven people transported to hospital after the annual fun run from Hyde Park to Bondi.

Dr Brown said he required medical assistance at the 12km mark of the 14km race.

He was treated by first aid officers on site and taken to St Vincent's Hospital for observation.

Dr Brown, who was running to raise money for the Westpac rescue helicopter, said he had been suffering from a respiratory virus and wasn't feeling "100 per cent''.

"In hindsight, I shouldn't have participated in today's race,'' he said in the statement.

"By the 12km mark I was feeling very unwell and sought assistance. I was taken to hospital for observation.''

He had since returned home and was feeling "much better'', he said.

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Fury over power bill shock

PerthNow and Sunday Times readers have vented their anger as it was revealed that electricity bills could reach an average of $2000 a year by 2016. Picture: Thinkstock Source: The Courier-Mail

PERTH residents have vented outrage that their power bills will increase to an average of $2000 within three years.

The Sunday Times today revealed families will be slugged an average of $2000 a year for electricity by 2016.

Have your say – how will the electricity price increases affect you?

State Budget papers reveal yearly "approved increases" of 7 per cent for electricity prices from 2014 through to at least 2016-17. They have already gone up 4 per cent this year.

This will take the average annual family power bill from $963 to $1998 under Mr Barnett's reign, despite his promise during the March state election campaign to keep electricity prices "at or around the rate of inflation"  which is now 2.5 per cent.

PerthNow readers were outraged, voicing their comments this morning.

"Well it is about time the people of Perth show some kind of public voice about electricity prices," Andrew Jones commented. "Enough is enough and any government should be able to manage the cost of electricity better than what we see in this state."

Commenter Another rip off said the increases was one of the reasons they were 'leaving Perth'.

"What about when the electricity goes out because it rains heavy or when the poles catch fire because of the old and out of date why the electric is supplies to houses? Nothing is being done about improving electricity supplies."

Some commenters, however, disagreed saying the increases were necessary.

"Electricity is still far too cheap. Consequently we continue to build absurdly energy inefficient and oversized homes," Poiter posted.

"The fact is we take electricity for granted, like other services our government provides. The government has to balance its books to provide services for all," Jack Frost of Perth said.

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Economy dominates leadership debate

THE first showdown of the election campaign was dominated by the state of the economy, Labor's GST scare campaign and a decision on a second airport for Sydney.

Laying out his pitch to the electorate, Kevin Rudd appealed for three more years to show ''new way" while Tony Abbott spoke directly to voters on the economy and border protection.

At the debate at the National Press Club in Canberra,  the Prime Minister made a pitch to young voters and then moved straight to economic management.

He said Labor had kept interests rates low, had abolished Work Choices, had introduced DisabilityCare and the NBN and he said there was more to be done.

Mr Rudd warned the mining boom was over but said Labor could deliver a bright new future and "a new way of positive politics in this country."

In a bid to turn the first leader's debate in favour of the government, he also pledged a vote on gay marriage with Labor MPs to act according to their conscience

Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd have  faced off in the first federal election debate. Picture: Stefan Postles

Mr Abbott said the Coalition party room would reconsider its position on gay marriage after the election.

On a controversial note, Mr Rudd was accused of breaching the rules by reading notes.

The debate's moderator, Sky News political editor David Speers, revealed following the debate that Mr Rudd had used the notes and that was not allowed.

According to the rules issued by the National Press Club on Friday, both Mr Abbott and Mr Rudd were prohibited from having the help with their memory.

"The leaders may have a pen and paper on the lectern and no other documentation or props,'' the rules stated.

The National Press Club of Australia Leaders' Debate

In the debate wrap up following, Speers said: "Kevin Rudd had notes. That wasn't allowed under the rules.''

Labor figure Graham Richardson said: "If I was Kevin Rudd, I would sack whoever wrote them."

Looking down the camera lens during the debate, Mr Abbott appealed directly to voters, telling them under a Coalition government the carbon tax would be scrapped, with compensation and tax cuts to stay, and boats arrivals would be stemmed.

"We can make your life better," he said.

He promised he would "make a decision" in his first term, if he won the election, on a second airport for Sydney but said the existing gateway to the city could be used more efficiently.

The National Press Club of Australia Leaders' Debate

Mr Rudd did not match the pledge.

Mr Abbott said a Coalition government would not raise the GST, could ease cost of living pressures and protect jobs and he listed infrastructure projects he has promised to help fund.

They included funding for the West Connex in Sydney, the East West Link in Melbourne, duplication of the Pacific Highway and an upgrade of the Bruce Highway in Queensland.

He focused on government failures throughout the debate, including the disastrous home insulation scheme which was linked to four deaths, the boat influx and 1000 deaths at sea, the NBN blowing its budget and the carbon price forecast of $38 a tonne by 2020.

The National Press Club of Australia Leaders' Debate

"Mr Rudd talks about a new way, well if you want a new way you have got to choose a new government," he said.

One of Mr Rudd's weakest points was when he was questioned on why Labor's spending is higher than under the Howard Government and over forecasts tens of thousands of people are will lose their jobs over coming months as unemployment rises.

Mr Rudd responded that the government had staved off recession during the Global Financial Crisis and created around one million jobs.

Mr Abbott's point of weakness emerged over how the Coalition will pay for its promises with Labor claiming there was a $70 billion black hole - a claim Mr Abbott called a "fantasy."

He did not articulate last night what cuts would be made to fulfil spending promises but said there had been "an enormous amount of waste over the past six years" and that the Coalition had already identified $17 billion in savings, which includes the axing of the Schoolkids bonus.

Debate erupted over the GST with Mr Rudd claiming it was "legitimate to raise questions about the future of the GST" in light of the Coalition's promises and a tax review the Opposition planned if it won government.

"The GST doesn't change under the Coalition," Mr Abbott shot back."The people watching this deserve better than a scare campaign from the Prime Minister of this country."

RELIVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DEBATE ON OUR BLOG

He said the campaign over the GST was "a little embarrassing to have the Prime Minister of this country, who had three years in power himself, he voted for the carbon tax...he was part of the surplus that never happened."

When asked if he had said the mining boom was coming to an end to cover over the budget problems after the government revealed a $30.1 billion deficit this financial year, Mr Rudd said the mining boom investment phase "was coming to a close."

Mr Abbott described Mr Rudd's explanation for his rhetoric as "waffle" and claimed if the boom was over it was because Labor had "killed it" with the mining tax and red tape.

The two leaders managed to agree on the debate format after weeks of argy bargy about the details.

Mr Rudd's first challenge was issued in the press conference he held after snatching back the Prime Ministership, but Mr Abbott always insisted any debate should be held during the campaign proper.

The debate was moderated by Sky News presenter David Speers and questions asked by a panel of journalists from the ABC, Fairfax and News Corp Australia.

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