Cops lose on-call car

WA Police Commisioner Karl O'Callaghan. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

ON-CALL detectives have been told they can't take work cars home any more and have to find their own way back to the office before attending serious crimes such as sex assaults or homicides.

WA Police Union president George Tilbury said detectives were wasting precious police time waiting for a taxi or using public transport to return to work to collect a vehicle before attending a crime.

Mr Tilbury said it had always been standard practice for on-call detectives to take vehicles home so they could go straight to a crime scene if required.

He wanted the "nonsensical" directive to be scrapped immediately.

"This directive from the agency makes absolutely no sense," Mr Tilbury said.

"Surely, it would be more logical for the on-call officer to take a vehicle home and attend matters direct from his/her current location."

Mr Tilbury said the policy was hindering the work of detectives and their ability to "respond to the community in a timely manner".

Opposition police spokeswoman Michelle Roberts said the directive was clearly about trying to save money.

"The Government can try to dress this up whichever way it likes, but officers at the front line know the facts," she said.

A spokeswoman for Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said the vehicle policy had not changed, but was simply being enforced.

"It recently came to the attention of the senior executive that the policy wasn't being adhered to and an instruction was issued for officers to comply," she said.

"On-call detectives can remotely provide advice and instruction to attending officers or make arrangements to return to duty in the case of a major incident. However, other 24/7 police resources are also available for additional support."

The policy states officers can take a vehicle home if they are on "close call", which requires them to stay at home.

"The issue is that nobody is ever placed on 'close call', meaning nobody has been taking a vehicle home," Mr Tilbury said.

"Cars are available and because of internal policy by the agency, it won't let detectives take cars home even though they might have to return to duty."

Police Minister Liza Harvey said the policy was introduced under the Labor government.

"The Police Commissioner has advised me that police are enforcing their vehicle commuting policy, which was introduced under the previous Labor government," she said.

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Praying for a purple jackpot

Tessa Jachmann (21) and Lauren Miller (21) both have supported Fremantle as long as their can remember and are very excited about the finals campaign. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

THE Fremantle Dockers will carry more than just the expectations of their fans as they head into the finals.

The entire port city is looking for the right catalyst to spark a revival of its fortunes.

Some are hoping the Dockers' finals march will provoke a much-needed morale boost similar to the legendary yachting triumph in the America's Cup during the mid-1980s.

Report: Freo smashed by St Kilda

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt this week launched a Go Freo campaign, which will see retailers decking out their shops with purple Dockers paraphernalia.

"This is just what the city needs," Dr Pettitt said.

"The city has been like a ship floundering at sea for the past two decades due to economic changes and an underperforming strategic plan by the city."

The Go Freo campaign is a joint venture between the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, the city council and the Fremantle Football Club.

It will be a colourful ray of hope on a landscape that has increasingly become like a ghost town. The streets are littered with For Lease signs in shopfronts.

Dr Pettitt said getting business owners involved  with the chance to win a signed photo of the team for the best decorated outlet  had been a good bonding exercise.

"The city has faced a decline in sales by High St retailers as shoppers moved to big-box retail," he said.

"The global financial crisis and the surge in internet shopping were other factors."

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce chief executive Tim Milsom agreed.

He said the success of the Dockers was a timely reminder that the city needed to start focusing on the positive, not the negative.

"We have something like 60-plus empty shops in Fremantle," he said. "We can't compete with shopping centres like Booragoon, but what we can do is alert people to the things that Booragoon can't do.

"We can champion things like the tall ships coming to Freo, the Indonesian naval cadets marching through the city and we can get excited about our team reaching the finals."

Long-term Fremantle business owners agreed the city was long overdue for a positive shot in the arm.

Domenic D'Alessandro, a veteran of the cappuccino strip and part owner of Gino's Cafe, was a child when America's Cup hysteria took over the town. And he's experienced the decline in pedestrian traffic in the past 26 years.

"We need something like the America's Cup all over again," he said.

"The feeling here is palpable after a Dockers' win.

"People come back here from Subiaco to Gino's to celebrate. The players come in sometimes and it creates a good vibe. It would be great for Fremantle if they won the Grand Final. Even getting into the finals is fantastic for the city."

Eleni Kakulas, owner of another Freo stalwart business Kakulas Sister Grocer, is a dyed-in-the-wool Dockers fan and so are her staff, who have not stopped at just decorating the shopfront.

They have decked themselves out in purple for the finals.

"There are a lot of shops closing down so there is a bit of negativity out there," she said.

"It is really hard for small business at the moment."

But Robert Bodkin, owner of Bodkins Bootery, is not so sure.

He is neither a Dockers' fan nor a true believer that purple power can save the town.

He has the world-weary approach of someone who's seen it all before.

"I saw it with the America's Cup," Mr Bodkin, who opened his High St store in 1972, said.

"That was a double-edged sword. It put Fremantle on the map and then the rents went up. Then over the past 20-odd years business has suffered through duplication of shops. There are now hundreds of hairdressers, coffee shops and an excess of $2 shops.

"We need to be realistic that we are competing in a different world now. People travel, they buy online, they don't dress up to go out. You don't see people walking around the streets of Freo carrying shopping bags."
 

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Rudd buried as Alannah bucks the trend

Swan Districts fan Alannah MacTiernan at Steel Blue Oval with Kim Vann and Gail Parkinson. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: The Sunday Times

PERTH's political iron lady Alannah MacTiernan is poised to romp it into federal politics, but a Galaxy Poll shows she's a lone beacon of hope for Labor, which is staring at defeat to the Coalition.

Ms MacTiernan won't just hold the seat of Perth, she is set to increase Labor's margin, according to this week's poll.

Kevin Rudd today hailed the former state government minister as  ``cabinet material'', though she appears headed for the Opposition benches, with Tony Abbott  barring any final-week disasters  a safe bet to become Australia's 28th Prime Minister in six days.

Ms MacTiernan's primary support - 47 per cent - is almost 7 per cent up on the result secured by Stephen Smith at the 2010 election. Mr Smith, the Defence Minister, is retiring.

The strong polling for Ms MacTiernan is even more remarkable because it defies a national trend. In the past week Galaxy conducted more than 11,500 interviews in 20 key electorates across Australia. In 19, there was a swing away from Labor ranging from 1.3 per cent to 8.8 per cent, with an average of 4.4 per cent. Only in Perth was there a swing to Labor (of 2.1 per cent).

Perth was considered a winnable seat for the Liberals until popular MacTiernan, currently the Mayor of the City of Vincent, was pre-selected.

Her personal support also flies in the face of another poll fact - most people in the seat favour Tony Abbott over Kevin Rudd. Asked which of the two party leaders would best represent the interests of voters in WA, 36 per cent answered Mr Rudd, while 42 per cent selected Mr Abbott, with 22 per cent uncommitted.

``This makes Alannah MacTiernan's performance in Perth even more impressive because she has achieved a swing to Labor despite voter concerns for Kevin Rudd's leadership in her electorate,'' Galaxy research analyst David Briggs said.

Nationally, the Galaxy Poll, which has an impressive record at predicting election results, shows support for Labor has dropped three points since the start of the campaign, with primary support now at 35 per cent, trailing the Coalition at 46 per cent.

Primary support for the Greens is at 10 per cent and other minor parties and independents enjoy 9 per cent support.

A flow of preferences similar to the 2010 election would result in a two party preferred outcome of 53 per cent to the Coalition with 47 per cent for Labor.

The poll, commissioned by The Sunday Times and PerthNow, has federal resources Minister Gary Gray in the fight of his life to retain Brand. Gray is neck and neck with Liberal candidate Donna Gordin in their contest to win WA's most marginal seat, where preferences will almost certainly determine the victor.

In another key local battle, Ken Wyatt is set to retain marginal Hasluck, with a swing to the Coalition of 4.4 per cent.

The Coalition is on course to retain all of its 12 federal seats in WA, with Labor hanging onto two or three, depending on the result in Brand.

Mr Rudd said Ms MacTiernan would be considered for a cabinet position on his ministry if Labor triumphs.

``Under our rules the parliamentary party will select the executive,'' he said. ``But my private view of Alannah is that she has cabinet material written all over her.''

Mr Rudd predicts Labor will hold Perth, Brand and Fremantle.

``If the Liberals are arrogantly assuming they have WA in the bag, then this election may be about to deliver them a big surprise."

Mr Abbott responded that West Australians had been ``astute'' in their judgment of Mr Rudd at the 2007 election when they were alone in defying a national swing to Labor.

``West Australians were the first people to see through Kevin Rudd because at the 2007 election when the rest of the country swung to Labor, WA swung to the Coalition,'' Mr Abbott said.

``So given West Australians' proven ability to see through the current Prime Minister I think we can have some prospects of doing better in WA. But we are not taking anything for granted.''

Mr Abbott also mocked Mr Gray, reminding voters that he had publicly opposed Mr Rudd's return as Prime Minister prior  to the ALP party room vote in June.

``Brand is our best chance (of seizing a Labor seat in WA),'' Mr Abbott said.

The Galaxy Poll shows primary support for both Mr Gray and Ms Gordin is higher than the vote achieved by the parties three years ago, with both on 42 per cent.

"If the preference flow is similar to the last election this should favour Gary Gray," Mr Briggs said.

"However, if the Palmer United Party candidate preferences flow strongly to the Liberal candidate then the seat will go down to the wire.

"Mr Briggs said the next few days for Labor were all about reducing the magnitude of defeat.

"If they can maintain composure in the last week of the campaign it may be possible to limit the loss," he said.

"However, if the blame game starts and this exposes division within the party then the result on Saturday could be even worse than under Julia Gillard."

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Wildcat slam-dunks Hollywood legend

Former Perth Wildcats coach and player Scott Fisher caught up in the high-profile split of Clint Eastwood and his wife Dina. Picture: Natalie Slade Source: The Sunday Times

FORMER Perth Wildcats coach and player Scott Fisher has been caught up in the high-profile split of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood and wife Dina.

Sources say Fisher, 50, has rekindled a high-school romance with former TV news anchor Dina, Eastwood's second wife.

"Dina is in love with Scott," a source told The National Enquirer. "It's like high school all over again."

Both Fisher and Dina grew up in Fremont, California. They both attended Mission San Jose High School in Fremont.

On Twitter, Fisher follows only 92 people. Among them are Dina, her daughter Morgan and stepdaughter Francesca Fisher-Eastwood.

This week, Dina, 48, announced to Us Weekly that she and Eastwood, 83, had separated after living apart "for some time", but said they remained "close".

The couple, who were married for 17 years, are believed to have broken up in June 2012, a source said.

"Clint fell out of love with Dina a long time ago," the insider told Us Weekly, noting that the separation was "amicable".

Fisher, who is now an assistant coach at the University of Hawaii, has landed himself in the headlines amid speculation he is the new love in Dina's life.

There has been no official statement about the alleged new relationship.

The retired Australian-American basketballer was head coach of the Perth Wildcats for four years until 2008, after carving out a reputation as one of the team's greatest players with 247 games.

Fisher told PerthNow in 2008 that "this has been one of the toughest decisions of my life" when he ended a 21-year association with Australian basketball by moving back to his native US. He wanted to be closer to his elderly parents.

Earlier this year, Fisher, an NBL Hall of Famer, was named in the Wildcats' 30th Anniversary All-Star team.

Perth Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin said he had caught up with Fisher in San Francisco earlier this year.

"While Scott was the happiest I've seen him in a long time, I think his personal life is best kept private," he said.

"We are trying to find a window for (Fisher) to visit us even briefly so our fans can see him and he can witness a game at the new Perth Arena."

Married since March 31, 1996, Dina and Eastwood have one daughter together, 16-year-old Morgan.

Eastwood, who is directing filming of the movie Jersey Boys, has seven children by five women, but has married only twice.

Rumours that there was trouble in paradise between the pair emerged in April when Eastwood appeared at the TriBeCa Film Festival in New York with his wedding ring noticeably absent, according to the Daily Mail.

The couple had not been photographed together since November 2011 and they were seen embroiled in an apparent argument at his daughter Alison's wedding in March.

Earlier this year, TMZ reported that Dina had checked herself into rehab for problems with "depression and anxiety".

Last year, Dina and her daughter Morgan and stepdaughter Francesca Fisher-Eastwood starred in the reality-TV show Mrs Eastwood & Company.

Francesca, 20, is Eastwood's daughter from his relationship with Titanic actress Frances Fisher.

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WA teachers set to strike

WA teachers are set to strike after brutal cuts to the education budget were announced. File image. Source: Supplied

TEACHERS are set to strike over savage cuts to the education budget after an urgent meeting today.

The executive of the State School Teachers Union has voted to endorse industrial action this afternoon, along with a stop-work meeting and other public action.

A rally will also be held at Parliament House on Tuesday, from 4pm.

SSTU president Anne Gisborne said the cuts announced by the Barnett Government last week would see at least 300 teaching jobs go in 2014, along with 500 education support and education assistant positions.

"Today's meeting also endorsed a stop-work meeting, and the consideration of further action," she said.

"The strange thing about the Barnett Government's education cuts is that they are being made while State Government revenue is going up 18 per cent over the next four years, even after the decline in our GST share. It is a question of priorities and Mr Barnett has his all wrong."

Earlier today, Premier Colin Barnett said: "That's fine for the union to have meetings and the like but again I would hope that honesty prevails and they acknowledge the massive increase in education funding under this government, the development of Independent Public Schools, which leads Australia and even in this year, which is going to be quite tight… an extra six per cent funding for education, an extra $300 million."

Ms Gisborne said student numbers would rise by 6000 in 2014 and 12,000 in 2015.

"These cuts mean that staff numbers will be decreasing while student numbers will be increasing.," she said.

"You don't have to be maths teacher to work out that this will result in bigger class sizes, which will lead to less personal attention for students and poorer learning outcomes."

Today, the executive agreed that a stop-work meeting would be called if the State Government failed to reverse its budget cuts by Friday, September 6. Further action would be considered at that meeting.
 

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Island beset by shark controversy

In 1999, the commercialisation of sharks was banned on Reunion island which some people blame for an increasing number of shark attacks. Source: Supplied

THE dangers of shark attacks are no secret for Georges, who as a kid was repeatedly warned to beware of the large predators lurking in the tropical waters off his native Reunion island.

That was several decades ago, and the issue since then has mushroomed in the French Indian Ocean island following several deadly shark attacks, sparking a tug of war between those who want to protect the fish and those who would like to see preventive culls.

"We always talked about sharks in the Reunion. When I was a kid, our parents were already warning us,'' said Georges, who did not give his surname, as he took in the rays on a beach protected from the sea predators by a coral reef.

HORROR: SHARK BITES TEEN GIRL IN HALF

But the 48-year-old, who now lives in mainland France and was holidaying on the island, said the issue had become increasingly high-profile in recent years, "because the attacks have multiplied.''

Just like West Australia where the state experienced five fatal shark attacks across a period of about a year, Reunion island authorities are scambling to find solutions to protect swimmers.

Since 2011, there have been 12 shark attacks in the Reunion, of which five were deadly.

Just this year, a French honeymooner died when he was attacked by a shark as he surfed, and a teenage girl was killed while swimming just metres from the shore.

Swimmers, tourists, surfers, fishermen, politicians, authorities, activists: all have firm - and often discording - opinions on how to handle a situation that is harming the Reunion's reputation as a paradise destination.

MEET THE ONE-MAN SHARKNADO

While none deny that shark numbers have increased, they differ on the reasons for this recent spike.

Some point to the wastewater that is discarded into the sea from ever-expanding urbanised zones, full of organic compounds that the sharks come to devour.

Others blame the 40km long natural marine reserve along the coast - created in 2007 - where fishing is either banned or strictly regulated.

"This reserve has become a pantry for sharks,'' one surfer said.

"They settle where they know they can feed themselves.''

And aside from the reserve, professional shark fishing in general has come to a halt.

In 1999, authorities banned the commercialisation of sharks on the island as the fish was thought to be contaminated with ciguatoxins, poisonous organic compounds that cause serious food poisoning.

Coast guards search for the remains of a 15-year-old girl who was attacked and killed by a shark on July 15, 2013 near Saint-Paul's bay, west of the Reunion Island. Picture: AFP/IMAZ PRESS REUNION Source: AFP

Then in 2004, those who traded in shark fins - a hugely controversial delicacy in some Asian countries - were banned from fishing sharks.

Faced with the increase in the sea predators and following the deadly attacks, the prefect of the island announced a slew of measures in July, including banning swimming, surfing and bodyboarding off more than half of the coast.

He also said 90 sharks would be culled - 45 bull sharks and 45 tiger sharks - on top of the 20 already killed as part of scientific research into ciguatera, the illness caused by eating fish flesh contaminated with ciguatoxins.

But he acknowledged the cull was not only scientific but also aimed at "reducing the shark population''.

Thierry Robert, a prominent politician on the island, has called for more "preventative culls''.

But the idea has been slammed by environmentalists keen to protect sharks, some of which are seriously threatened worldwide.

Didier Derand of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, an animal rights organisation, is challenging the existing cull in court.

He is being assisted by Sea Shepherd, the international marine wildlife conservation organisation, "because we need worldwide awareness of the organised massacre of sharks.''

A windsurfer takes on big waves at Reunion Island where locals fear more shark attacks will take a toll on the island's tourism industry. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

According to Sea Shepherd, 100 million sharks are killed each year by sport fishermen or by those who practice shark finning, which consists of catching the fish and slicing off their fins while they are still alive.

The organisation says sharks are being depleted faster than they can reproduce, threatening the stability of marine ecosystems around the world.

Authorities in the Reunion island are also looking at other ways to protect swimmers, such as using aerial balloons equipped with surveillance cameras and alert systems when they detect movement in the water.

The island's Saint-Paul district has opted for drum lines, devices fixed with hooks that are meant to capture sharks.

Meanwhile, surfers and bodyboarders say they refuse to be sacrificed in the name of marine conservation.

"We have to stop this worldwide lobbying that advocates the protection of sharks,'' says Jean-Francois Nativel, head of the Ocean Prevention Reunion association, which works on reducing the risks of shark attacks.

"We're in the era of Flipper the shark. We have to break the taboos... We have to bring back fishing, and put the shark back in the plates of Reunion people,'' he said.

But Jean-Rene Enilorac, head of the regional fishing committee, was dubious.

"Even if there is no longer a risk of ciguatera, I'm not sure the Reunion inhabitants will eat shark again,'' he said.

"Who will want to eat a fish, imagining it maybe devoured a human being?''

###

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Five murder accused teens plead not guilty

OUTSIDE COURT: Family members of the accused teens outside the Perth Children's Court during a previous hearing. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Tauri Litchfield was found in a Mandurah car park with severe head injuries that led to his death. Source: PerthNow

FIVE of the six teenagers accused of murdering Mandurah man Tauri Litchfield have pleaded not guilty and a trial is set for February.

The teenagers, three aged 14 and three aged 15, all appeared via video link this afternoon in the Perth Children's Court.

The charge of murder was read out by Children's Court president Judge Denis Reynolds and formal pleas were taken by five of the boys.

The all pleaded not guilty.

A plea from the final youth charged is expected to be taken in September.

Mr Litchfield was found unconscious in a car park on Pinjarra Road with severe head injuries in the early hours of March 17.

He was rushed to hospital, but died a short time later.

It will be alleged the 28-year-old was brutally bashed as he lay on the ground following a fall.

This afternoon, a trial date was set for February 2014.

The six - who all remain in custody - will return to the Perth Children's Court in October for a trial status conference.

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Severe weather warning for WA's south

THE state's South West is being urged to prepare for 100km winds which could cause damage to property and homes.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a severe weather warning between Mandurah and Ravensthorpe.

This includes people in, near and between Albany, Bridgetown, Margaret River, Busselton, Bunbury, Narrogin and Katanning and surrounding areas.

A low pressure system in the south of the state is expected to cause widespread damaging winds to 100 kilometres per hour tonight.

Damaging winds are also possible this evening over areas near the south coast between Augusta and Bremer Bay, which includes Albany.

The low will deepen further on Saturday, and damaging winds are likely to develop over areas southwest of a line from Mandurah to Lake Grace to Ravensthorpe.

 
Along coastal parts between Mandurah and Walpole, higher than normal tides may cause flooding of low lying coastal areas. 
 
Dangerous surf conditions are likely which could cause significant beach erosion.

WHAT TO DO:
The DFES State Emergency Service (SES) has these tips to help you and your family stay safe: 
•    Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows
•    If caught outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
•    If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water
•    If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
IF DRIVING:
•    Slow down, turn your lights on and keep a safe distance from other drivers
•    If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
•    Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current
•    Be careful driving on gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy and vehicles could become bogged.

If your home has been badly damaged by a storm call the SES on 132 500.

For the latest weather information visit www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 213.
 

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Fastest selling suburbs revealed

Craigie has been named the fastest-selling Perth suburb. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: The Sunday Times

IF you're selling a house in Craigie you'll find a buyer in less than three weeks.

That's what new figures from on the state's fastest-selling suburbs reveal.

The average number of days a Craigie house will be on the market is 18 compared with the Perth average of 80.

The sought-after suburb, 20km north of Perth and about 2km from the beach, has a median house price of $443,500 - less than the Perth median house price of $500,000.

Realmark Whitfords sales agent Alan Reay attributed Craigie's popularity to its location, development potential and affordability.

``A lot of homes have sold before they go online lately,'' he said.

Property expert Damian Collins, managing director of Momentum Wealth, said there was good demand and limited supply in Craigie.

Harcourts area manager Wayne Bown said the area's fastest-selling properties were three-bedroom, one-bathroom houses.

The figures from the latest RP Data suburb scorecard show the fastest-selling units in the metropolitan area are in Kalamunda.

The average number of days on the market for a Kalamunda unit was 22, compared with the Perth average of 81.

Provincial Real Estate principal Ben Ciocca said units were selling fast in the inner part of Kalamunda Village to the local ageing population who wanted to downsize.

``They don't want to leave the area,'' he said.

Mr Collins said the figures reflected the general trend across Perth. Anything around the median house price was selling quickly.

The slowest selling area was Wooroloo (214 days) in Mundaring Shire, 46km from Perth.

Top 10 fastest selling suburbs

Suburb	Average days on market (12 months)
Craigie (Houses)	18
Kalamunda (Units)	22
Melville (U)	26
Wilson (U)	28
Woodlands (U)	29
Beldon (H)	31
Parkwood (H)	32
Samson (H)	34
Queens Park (H)	36
Edgewater (H)	36

Source: RP Data August Suburb Scorecard.

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Cyrus act 'promoted date rape'

Miley Cyrus "twerks" against Robin Thicke and right, on stage. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

POP superstar Cyndi Lauper has described Miley Cyrus' hard twerk at the MTV Video Music Awards as mock pornography.

Lauper, playing shows in Melbourne this week, told Herald Sun Confidential: "I thought it was sad. I thought it was raunchy. If you want to be in a Girls Gone Wild video, do it somewhere else. I think the whole thing was messed up.''

Cyrus caused a firestorm at the event, and on social media, with her sexplicit performance.

She also bumped and grinded provocatively with Robin Thicke as he performed his controversial hit, Blurred Lines.

Oh. Miley. God. Viewers left violated

Lauper claimed the song - with its 'I know you want it' refrain - encourages date rape.

Cyndi Lauper photographed May 8, 2012 in New York City.

"It says it's a blurred line ... when a girl says no when she really means yes,'' Lauper said.

"So does that leave the door open? Is date rape OK? Are we back to that again?''

She said Cyrus should not have associated herself with Thicke's hit.

Lauper sighed: "But what do you do when a 20-year-old wants to be one of the big kids and decides she's going to have a mock porn act?

"It's not modern dance. It's schlock. It wasn't even tacky. It was sleazy.''

Miley Cyrus "twerks" against Robin Thicke and right, on stage. Picture: SUPPLIED

Brooke Shields labels Cyrus act desperate

Lauper said she feels sorry for the former Hannah Montana.

"She seems like such a nice girl. It's sad when somebody has to try that hard,'' Lauper said.

"I think it's better to go the high road and find the art in everything.''

Earlier today, Cyrus's favourite Phillip Island eatery threw its support behind the provocative pop star, with Miley's favourite Australian cafe relaying its approval.

Dr Food owner Jo Free told Confidential: "It was a little bit raunchy and a little bit different. But that's who she is. We love her.

"I didn't find it offensive. She comes to visit whenever she's in town, she's welcome any time."

Cyrus, who was engaged to Phillip Island-raised actor Liam Hemsworth, is addicted to the cafe's beef and macaroni pie.

"The last time she was in town, they flew in by helicopter to buy a couple of pies. They spent an hour in the shop and left."

Meanwhile, social media is still on fire about Miley's MTV moment.

Her performance was mentioned 4.5 million times on Twitter, with many Australian celebrities expressing their disgust on the social networking site.

Emma Birdsall, a 2012 finalist on hit reality show The Voice, said Miley was a bad role model.

"It made me incredibly sad thinking that young women will watch that and think that's how you have to dress/dance/sing/act to become a superstar," Birdsall tweeted.

It's not. Don't care what anyone says, it's completely unnecessary."

Megan Gale said on Twitter: "What the hell was that!?!"

Jesinta Campbell added: "Nothing could b more shameful."

Hemsworth stayed out of the Twitter firestorm, choosing to promote his new movie instead.

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Two die in Roe Highway tragedy

Two men have died in a horror crash on Roe Highway, Jandakot, in Perth's southern suburbs early today.

Two men were killed in a horror crash on Roe Highway, Jandakot early today. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Two men killed in a horror double fatal on Roe Highway, Jandakot early today. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Two men died in an horrific collision on Roe Highway, Jandakot early today. Picture: Sebastian Baltyn, Channel 10 Source: Twitter

TWO men have died in a horror crash on Roe Highway, Jandakot, in Perth's southern suburbs early today.

The accident happened just after 6am on Roe Highway near the intersection of Karel Avenue, when a Nissan Pathfinder and a Toyota sedan collided.

The Toyota sedan, being driven west on Roe Highway by a 56-year-old man, is believed to have careered across the  highway median strip and collided head-on with the Nissan Pathfinder, which was heading east.

The Pathfinder, being driven by a 28-year-old man, rolled onto its side and the engine caught fire, but was extinguished by another motorist.

Both drivers were killed in the crash.

Gallery: More pictures

Police, firefighters and Major Crash investigators remain at the scene in suburban Jandakot, where traffic in the area was brought to a virtual standstill and is likely to remain congested for several hours.

Police are trying to identify the victims and notify the next of kin.

By 11am the wrecks had been cleared and emergency services were no longer on the scene. It is believed affected road will be re-opened.

Two men die in a horror head-on smash on Roe Highway, Jandakot. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

The accident caused traffic chaos, closing busy Roe Highway.  All north-eastbound lanes on Roe Highway are closed through the area.

The Roe Highway off ramps from the Kwinana Freeway (northbound and southbound) are now closed. Closures are also in place around the Karel Avenue on and off ramps to Roe Highway.

Two men killed in a head-on collision on Roe Highway, Jandakot. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

The closures were expected to stay in place for most of the morning.

Road users are advised to seek alternative routes if possible.

 

View Larger Map

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'Cowardly': Teen jailed for sex attack on woman, 88

A teenage boy who attempted to sexually assault a great-grandmother in her own home has been described as a "coward'' by a West Australian judge.

The 88-year-old woman was sexually assaulted and robbed in the Great Southern. Source: PerthNow

A TEENAGE boy who attempted to sexually assault a great-grandmother in her own home has been described as a "coward'' by a West Australian judge.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced in the Perth Children's Court today to seven years detention for robbing, bashing and trying to rape the elderly woman.

Armed with a knife, the boy burgled her Great Southern farm house in April this year and attacked the 88-year-old woman, not realising she had triggered her Silver Chain alarm.

Her grandson and his wife, who lived 500m away, found the boy in the midst of the attack, the court heard.

The great-grandmother suffered bruises all over her body after the boy repeatedly punched and kicked her, and threw objects at her, including a ceramic pot at her head.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said her head was "exploding'' and she thought she was going to die.

"He was just kicking me and kicking me,'' she said.

The woman also described suffering nightmares, lacking self-confidence, feeling like a burden on her family and being physically weak and confused after the attack.

Court president Denis Reynolds said it was unlikely that the woman would be able to return to her home of 60 years or live independently again.

The judge said the ordeal was extremely humiliating and degrading for the "extremely vulnerable'' woman.

"The community would be rightly disgusted and revolted by what you did,'' he said.

Judge Reynolds said the boy's behaviour was "cowardly, violent and persistent''.

Although he accepted the youth was remorseful, there was room for more remorse, the judge said.

Judge Reynolds also dismissed as "nonsense'' the boy's claim that he was drunk because a test returned a zero alcohol reading.

The teenager was convicted of aggravated burglary, unlawful assault occasioning bodily harm and two counts of attempted sexual penetration without consent.

He was also convicted of another aggravated burglary and sentenced to six months to be served concurrently with the seven-year sentence.

As the boy was led away in tears, he called out to his family who said they would seek an appeal.

Outside court, the teenager's grandfather told reporters the youth was remorseful.

"He's very sorry,'' he said.

"He regrets everything he's done.''

The grandfather said both families were suffering.

"We do feel very, very sorry and hurt for the victim's family and we just hope that our family can just hold our heads up and just carry on,'' he said.

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Runner dies after City to Surf

Some ran for a cause, others just for fun - over 48,000 people took part in this year's Chevron City to Surf.

A man has died after collapsing at the end of the Chevron City to Surf for Activ. Source: PerthNow

A YOUNG runner who collapsed at the finishing line of yesterday's City to Surf has died in hospital.

The man, understood to be in his early 30s, collapsed when he finished the half-marathon.

He was rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital but died a short time later.

His name has not yet been released.

In a statement issued today the Chevron City to Surf for Activ organisers confirmed the man's death.

"During Sunday morning's event a male participant collapsed at the finish line and received immediate medical attention from the event's medical provider, St John Ambulance," the statement read.

"The participant was taken by ambulance to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and organisers have since been advised by WA Police that the participant has passed away.

"The event organisers express their sincere condolences to the runner's family and friends. Our thoughts are with them."

Two years ago, 30-year-old Frenchman Vincent Maudieu died soon after he collapsed just metres from the half-marathon finish line.
 

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Hotline for male sex abuse victims

A Rockingham man has been charged with a string of sex offences on vulnerable boys which allegedly took place in the 1990s. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

A NATIONAL hotline has been set up for potential victims of an alleged serial sex offender who has been charged with dozens of offences against boys dating back more than 20 years.

Child Abuse Squad detectives charged the 66-year-old Rockingham man with a list of historic sexual assault offences, dating from when he worked as an education officer for the Warminda program, which helped troubled boys in the 1990s.

More charges stem from the man's employment as a counselling psychotherapist at the Perth Adolescent Service around the same time.

Police say six boys, then aged 11 to 17, had been sexually abused by the man.

He faces 17 charges of aggravated indecent assault, 12 of aggravated sexual assault, an attempted aggravated sexual assault, an indecent assault, and one unlawful carnal knowledge under 13 years.

Police have taken the unusual step of setting up a phone line - labelled "Speak up, we will listen'' - for other potential victims who think they may have been targeted by the same man.

"If his offending or conduct has affected you or someone you know, and you would like to talk about it, call 1800 552 203,'' the WA police said in a statement.

Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Snipers target UN weapons inspectors

A Syrian military soldier holds his AK-47 with a sticker of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Arabic that reads 'Syria is fine', as he stands guard at a checkpoint in Damascus, Syria. Picture: AP Source: AP

A UNITED Nations team investigating allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria has been fired upon by unidentified snipers.

A defiant Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared that any strike by the US and its allies would be doomed to failure and key ally Moscow said it could have dangerous consequences for the entire region.

A UN spokesman said unidentified snipers shot at the UN team of experts looking into allegations of a chemical attack in a Damascus suburb last week that the Syrian opposition claimed killed hundreds of civilians.

The attack forced them to delay their inspection while they replaced a vehicle but no injuries were reported, said spokesman Martin Nesirky.

"The first vehicle of the chemical weapons investigation team was deliberately shot at multiple times by unidentified snipers in the buffer zone area,'' he said.  "As the car was no longer serviceable, the team returned safely back to the government checkpoint,'' he added.

The UN team later went to a field hospital at Moadamiyet al-Sham to collect samples, a UN official said.

Syrian authorities quickly accused rebels fighting Assad's forces of being behind the attack.

In this photo taken on a government organized tour, Syrian army soldiers evacuate a comrade injured during heavy clashes with Syrian rebels in the Jobar neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on Saturday.

The government had approved the UN inspection on Sunday but US officials said it was too little, too late, arguing that persistent shelling there in recent days had "corrupted'' the site.

The attack on the UN team came as the West appeared to be moving closer to launching a military response over last Wednesday's attack near Damascus that shocked the world after grisly pictures emerged of dead children apparently gassed to death.

A Downing Street spokesman said British Prime Minister David Cameron was cutting short his holiday to deal with the crisis and would meet shortly with top cabinet ministers.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague had earlier on Monday said the West could act even without full UN Security Council backing, with China and Moscow expected to boycott any resolution backing a military strike.

Washington and its allies have pointed the finger of blame at Assad's regime for the alleged attack, the latest atrocity in a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people since March 2011.

In the latest pronouncement, a US official told reporters travelling with US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel that Washington was convinced the Syrian regime was behind the attack.

Several bodies being buried during a funeral in a suburb of Damascus, Syria.

"Our confidence is growing that this was in fact an episode involving the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime,'' the official said in Jakarta, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Assad, in an interview with a Russian newspaper published on Monday, angrily denied such accusations as an "insult to common sense'' and said any military action was doomed to fail.

"The United States faces failure just like in all the previous wars they waged,'' he said.

A senior Syrian security official said the regime was ready to face "all scenarios''.

"Western threats of strikes against Syria are part of the psychological and political pressure against Syria, but in any case we are ready to face all scenarios,'' the official said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned his US counterpart John Kerry of the "extremely dangerous consequences of a possible new military intervention for the whole Middle East and North Africa region''.

A Syrian army soldier walks on a street in the Jobar neighborhood of Damascus, Syria.

Mr Lavrov told reporters the West was currently moving towards "a very dangerous path, a very slippery path''.

"Using force without the approval of the UN Security Council is a very grave violation of international law,'' Mr Lavrov said.

The international community has long been divided over how to respond to the conflict, with Russia and China repeatedly blocking UN Security Council resolutions.

US President Barack Obama has been loath to order US military action to protect civilians in Syria, fearing being drawn into a vicious civil war, soon after he extracted US troops from Iraq.

But revulsion over video footage and gruesome photographs of dead children blanketing the world's media have seen mounting pressure on the international community.

France said the West would decide in the coming days on a response.

"The only option that I do not envisage is to do nothing,'' Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on French radio.

US officials said that Mr Obama, who had said a year ago that the use of chemical weapons by Assad's forces was a "red line'' that could trigger Western intervention, would make an "informed decision'' about how to respond.

Experts believe the most likely US action would see sea-launched cruise missiles target Syrian military installations and artillery batteries deemed complicit in the chemical weapons attack.

Mr Hagel said commanders had prepared a range of military options and were positioning their forces for "whatever the president might choose.''

He did not elaborate, but a defence official said the US Navy would expand its presence in the Mediterranean with a fourth warship armed with cruise missiles.

Washington would likely seek to act with a broad coalition of European and Gulf allies as Russia is seen as sure to veto any attempt to mandate action against its ally.

Senior military officers from Western and Muslim countries, including the US chief of staff - were also gathered in Jordan on Monday to discuss the regional impact of the war in Syria.

The opposition says more than 1300 people died when toxic gases were unleashed on August 14. Doctors Without Borders said 355 people had died of "neurotoxic'' symptoms in the affected areas.
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US and UK to launch strikes against Syria

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Thompson: Ban disastrous for Hird

Essendon assistant coach Mark Thompson joins AFL 360 immediately after his hearing with the AFL.

THE AFL Commission has halted marathon talks with Essendon and its senior officials after about 14 hours of deliberations at headquarters.

The parties will reconvene at 11am.

Bombers chairman Paul Little and chief executive Ray Gunston were among the last to leave following coach James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, senior assistant Mark Thompson and football manager Danny Corcoran earlier this evening.

Thompson earlier said it would be "disastrous" for James Hird to be suspended for 12 months.

"He's a young coach who is learning his way and he didn't deliberately set out to do anything wrong," Thompson said on AFL 360 following prolonged negotiations at AFL headquarters today.

"I would think that if the AFL knocked him out for 12 months he would struggle to want to get back.

"I call it the perfect storm because everybody has had some responsibility to it... not too many have more (responsibility) than others.

"It was a lot of people who probably made the wrong choices based on the current rules that are in place."
Thompson refused to rule out walking away from the game.

"Anything's open... right here, right now is that I've been charged for being a drug cheat - and I'm not.

"I'm fighting for my reputation, my integrity and I want to clear my name."

But Thompson conceded he was ready to plead guilty as long as the AFL withdraw aspects of the charges laid against him.

"There was 80 per cent of it (charge sheet) that I want to fight...so unless it really gets serious and reflective of what I'm responsible for them we're going (legal action).

"We're trying to scrub as many off as we can, to be responsible and to be charged for what we think we are responsible for - what is fair in our eyes.

Negotiations involving Thompson, Essendon, coach James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid and football manager Danny Corcoran would continue on Tuesday.

Senior Essendon officials, chairman Paul Little and chief executive Ray Gunston remain at AFL House locked in tense negotiations over potential punishment for Essendon.

Hird and his legal team, including human rights campaigner Julian Burnside SC, were expected to tell the commission that his Supreme Court action challenging the Commission's right to hear charges against the Bombers star has not been withdrawn.

SCROLL DOWN FOR LIVE UPDATES AND TO JOIN THE DEBATE

Commissioners arrived about 8am and key Essendon officials were all at AFL House by 1pm.

The Commission is expected to detail proposed penalties against Hird, most likely a 12-month suspension from any AFL activity, and precise details of the formal charges.

It would be open to Hird then to back away from his court action and to accept the sanction, as part of a wider Essendon penalties package, or to declare he will fight on in court.

Hird has claimed he has been denied natural justice by the AFL and said the AFL Commission, including CEO Andrew Demetriou, should be barred from considering charges against him.

HIRD PREPARES FOR THE LONG GAME

Essendon is clinging to the hope it could retain prized draft picks as part of a deal that will see it stood down from the finals today.

A decision regarding what penalties and sanctions will be handed down to Essendon is expected today.

The supplements drama will come to a dramatic resolution when Essendon bows out of finals consideration, with Hird almost certain to have coached his last game of the year.

The AFL Commission is currently meeting at AFL House where it is expected to hand down the punishment for Hird and the Bombers.

Essendon chairman Paul Little and the club's acting chief executive, Ray Gunston, arrived at AFL House at about 1pm.

Commission members were seen arriving at league headquarters this morning.

Hird has been considering abandoning Supreme Court action and submitting to a 12-month ban demanded by the AFL ahead of a return in 2015.

Hird and wife Tania leave talks at AFL House. Picture: Andrew Tauber

The Bombers coach today went to Windy Hill for a few hours before returning home, but did not offer any comment to the waiting media pack.

It is expected senior assistant coach Mark Thompson will escape with a fine of $20,000.

Veteran club doctor Bruce Reid is understood to be preparing to stand down as early as today. He was adamant he would not be part of a compromise deal.

Essendon will be forced to accept a fine of up to $2 million. The fourth individual charged, football manager Danny Corcoran, will be stood down for three months.

The AFL's lawyers, Minter Ellison, and Essendon's QC, Jack Rush, were locked in discussions on Sunday. Hird's legal team was not directly involved.

Essendon's president says he's confident the club can reach an agreement over punishment for the drugs saga.

KEEP HIRD'S SEAT WARM

The AFL Commission began meeting at 8am today and while many facts are agreed between the two parties, it might take all day to reach a resolution.

AFL commissioner and Wesfarmers chairman Richard Goyder arrived at AFL house around 8am.

Expecting a long day he told his driver it was unlikely he would be picked up at 4pm.

Commissioner Sam Mostyn arrived shortly before 8am. Commissioner Bill Kelty at around 8.30am.The former ACTU secretary had said he would excuse himself from AFL Commission meetings due to his friendship with Hird.

Essendon assistant coach Mark Thompson reacts to photographers as he arrives at the AFL Commission hearing. Picture Wayne Ludbey

The Bombers were lobbying the AFL to keep their draft picks or lose just the first two picks at this year's national draft in November.

They argue it would penalise the players and hurt the club for a decade, but the league has pushed for a two-year exclusion from the first two rounds of the draft.

Hird's lawyer Julian Burnside SC labelled the AFL's actions "scandalous" and accused them of bullying Hird.

But the Bombers have effectively conceded defeat. Now the club is trying to limit the damage to its reputation and future success.

An insight into what the AFL might deem acceptable was contained in a draft "accepted facts" document provided to Essendon.

Essendon CEO Ray Gunston and chairman Paul Little arrive at AFL House. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

It stated:

THE club failed to adequately protect the health, welfare and safety of the players.

THERE was an unacceptable risk that players may have been administered substances that were prohibited by the AFL Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code.

THE club is unable to determine whether players were administered substances prohibited by the AFL Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code.

Essendon has refused to sign an agreement that says officials deliberately set out to breach anti-doping rules.

James Hird leaves his Toorak home this morning. Picture: Hamish Blair

Hird will either accept a 12-month ban or Essendon will stand him down for next season while he continues to fight his legal battle.

But that second option looks less likely, with legal figures saying many points in his Supreme Court writ would be undermined by Essendon's guilty plea.

On Saturday night Hird issued two contradictory statements - that he wanted his punishment wrapped up in the club's sanctions, but that he wanted to clear his name first.

"First of all I want to prove I'm innocent of a lot or 99 per cent of those charges," he said.

"I look at those charges and they make me sick that they're out there and that people would believe that is the truth about me.

Bombers club doctor Bruce Reid arrives with is legal team at AFL House. Picture: Michael Klein

"I'm determined to clear that up. Then we'll go from there about suspension or not suspension."

Bombers captain Jobe Watson on Sunday continued to express support for Hird but said the fate of his coach was beyond the club's control.

"I mean, it's not whether or not we want him to coach - it's the decision of the Commission and that's the reason there is a Commission," Watson said.

Reid is determined to protect his reputation as a medical practitioner. He has told confidantes he will continue his fight separate to Essendon.

 Essendon chairman Paul Little spoke on Saturday night of a middle ground, which meant that the AFL was prepared to drop the focus on drug cheating and instead hit the Dons with governance charges.

Essendon football manager Danny Corcoran and his legal team arrive at AFL House Picture: Michael Klein

While the sanctions are unprecedented, attention will quickly turn to who fills the coaching void.

HIRD OPENS UP AFTER GRITTY WIN

Thompson would be available given he will only be fined but has made it known he is not interested in a senior coaching position.

Former Bombers stars Mark Harvey and Neale Daniher have been linked to the club but a one-year secondment would not appeal if Hird was definitely returning.

Hird's barrister Burnside said "the AFL's bullying tactics seem to be the standard in Australia now".

Essendon QC Jack Rush outside AFL House. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

"The AFL seems to think it's OK to bully a bunch of individuals and a club without letting them have a fair hearing. I think the AFL's conduct has been scandalous."

- with James Dowling, Andy Burns 

James Hird and assistant coach Mark Thompson are expected to learn their fate today. Picture: Michael Klein

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