Woman faces cemetery murder charge

Baldivis woman Diana Matthews, whose body was found in a lake at the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park on April 29, 2011. Source: PerthNow

Friends and family hold a memorial for Baldivis woman Diana Matthews whose body was found in a lake at the Rockingham Regional Memorial Park on April 29, 2011 Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

POLICE have charged a woman with murder over the death of Baldivis woman Diana Matthews, whose body was found at a Rockingham cemetery in 2011.

Major Crime Detectives made the arrest on Thursday this week following a two-year investigation.

Ms Matthews' body was discovered half-submerged in a man-made lake at Rockingham Regional Memorial Park.

She was last seen alive walking from her Baldivis home to a park on Tamworth Blvd at about 8pm.

Earlier that evening, she was seen at the Caltex service station on Baldivis Rd.

At 11.30pm, less than four hours later, passers-by found the 46-year-old's body at the cemetery.
Detectives have not revealed how Ms Matthews died.

Police have charged a 33-year-old woman with murder.

The accused woman was remanded in custody after appearing in the Perth Magistrates Court this morning.

She will next appear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on September 25.

A 36 year-old-man and a 32-year-old woman are currently in custody, assisting Major Crime Squad detectives with their investigation.
 

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Palmer claims AEC swaying WA voters

Clive Palmer with wife Anna at the Mt Coolum Day Care centre polling booth. Pic Megan Slade. Source: PerthNow

UNITED WE STAND: A Clive Palmer United Party representative hands out how-to-vote cards at the Cottesloe Civic Centre today. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Source: PerthNow

CLIVE Palmer has accused the Australian Electoral Commission of influencing WA voters, and has flagged a possible High Court challenge.

Mr Palmer says the AEC is "openly predicting'' the results of the election, and possibly influencing the election results in Western Australia and in South Australia, where booths are open after east coast venues have closed.

He said the AEC would be providing booths with an envelope in which two parties' names would be.

"These parties have been predetermined by an officer of the AEC and will be based on the 2010 election results,'' he said in the Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax, where he is running.

"These results will be shown as the two party result and will be the basis for preference counting.''

He said the parties would be flashed on a screen at the AEC.

"Neither of these parties may have finished first or second in the ballet,'' he said.

"For sure our party is not going to be in the secret envelope.

"As a result of this, as voters go to the polls in Western Australia, they may assume a particular result and they may have the media calling the election based on AEC data and information which is wrong and incorrect.

"We don't think the AEC should be in that game.''

 Mr Palmer said the AEC was being prejudicial against his party, and other smaller parties.

"This is part of the whole story in Australia, where everyone assumes that this election is going to be fought between the two parties,'' the Palmer United Party leader said.

"All the media, all the debate, everything is only about two different alternatives.''

Mr Palmer said the AEC should only be providing information ``that is accurate, and correct''.

"If the agency continues to do this ... we will be challenging the AEC and the result of the election outcome in Western Australia in the High Court after the election, to seek that it be void,'' he told reporters.

Katter's Australian Party leader Bob Katter told the Seven Network he agreed the electoral system was unfair for smaller parties like his.

He said the AEC had done nothing to counter the LNP lie that a vote for the Katter party was a vote for Labor.
"The AEC did nothing about it - nothing whatsoever,'' Mr Katter told Seven.

"I can tell you people in my electorate actually believed it.''

What do you think? Did it sway your vote? Comment now

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Lyon bristles at target claims

Coach Ross Lyon thrilled with the teams performance in overcoming Geelong and defends Zac Dawson for some marginal free kicks given away

Ross Lyon and Zac Dawson after the win.

FIRED-UP Fremantle coach Ross Lyon angrily defended Zac Dawson as his Dockers threw the AFL premiership race wide open.

While many had Hawthorn and Geelong pencilled in for the flag decider, the physical and well-drilled Dockers thumbed their nose at convention, inflicting just the Cats' second loss in 45 matches over six years at their home ground.

The stunning 15-point win wound Fremantle into a $4 second favourite for the flag by pitching the arch rival Hawks and Cats into the same half of the draw and giving the WA team its first home preliminary final.

Dockers stun cats in boilover

But while Lyon urged his team to "stay incredibly focused", he bristled at suggestions he'd charged Dawson - and others - with the task to intimidate the Cats physically.

Dawson gave away a free-kick and was booked for a clash with Geelong forward James Podsiadly before the opening siren.

A tangle with Geelong forward James Podsiadly has left Dawson's fate with the match review committee

The pair jostled several times during the match and the former Saint was also involved in a clash with Geelong skipper Joel Selwood that could come under scrutiny.

But Lyon stood by his full-back, saying the Cats had contributed their fair share to the physical clash.

"(That's) out of line because what I saw was some Docker players go down off the ball," he said.

"It is silly question – we played within the rules. Just go to the behind-the-goals footage and have a look, you'll see what comes out.

"I reviewed them (as) marginal free-kicks at best (with) some body work.

"I just happen to be the coach of the team. I have behind-the-goal vision, I have broadcast vision that I replay and I saw them and they were incredibly marginal, marginal free-kicks.

"That is OK if they get paid, but to then focus on them is really disappointing in the context of the effort we have delivered."

The Dockers will also sweat on a clash, one of several, between gun forward Chris Mayne and Geelong's Steve Johnson, who was left lying on the ground after intitial contact between the pair propelled the Cat into Geelong runner Nigel Lappin.

Lyon was "really pleased for the players that they created an opportunity" after admitting to a mistake in sending chief tagger Ryan Crowley to Mathew Stokes while Johnson threatened to tear apart the game early.

"It was a powerful response in face of a great challenge by the team. We want to be `anywhere-anytime' team and this is a significant challenge and they got it done today."

Lyon walked away from the "garbage" of the debate about playing a final in Geelong for the first time since the 19th century, and also said resting half his team in Round 23 had likely been beneficial.

"It's hard to measure, but the analogy I used is I watched Hawthorn win last night and (then) everyone espouses that they have got a week off to freshen up for a preliminary final, so in theory it is the same model," he said.

"You would not want to be doing it every week, but after 22 home-and-away rounds, it clearly helped."

Lyon said the decision to play key defender Luke McPharlin for the first time in two months after a Round 15 calf injury had been "bold and strong".

Utility Nick Suban was subbed off with an ankle injury, but was walking around without discomfort in the rooms afterwards.

Lyon said Freo had "some sore boys that had plenty of whacks ... and there was plenty of on and off ball things that will probably be looked at I would suggest".

He said big man Aaron Sandilands played his best game of an injury-cruelled season.

"I thought he was significant when he went forward ... a real threat.

"They threw some challenges at him on spread, but we're really confident we can handle that.

"A few of the things they were doing we certainly adjusted to and it was needed ... and then (he and Zac Clarke) were able to play to their strengths, rather than having their strengths taken off them and chasing around opposition ruckmen."

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Live coverage: Labor salvages three WA seats

Alannah MacTiernan celebrates her win with grandchildren Atlas (4) and Umi (7) Schapper. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

Fremantle's Melissa Parke celebrates her impending win. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

Ken Wyatt watches the count with his supporters. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Alannah MacTiernan, Julie Bishop and David Wirrpanda at the polling booths today. Source: PerthNow

FOLLOW PerthNow's live election coverage from a WA angle, with seat by seat analysis and rolling updates from around the state.

Perth | Hasluck | Brand | Swan | Fremantle | Curtin | Other seats

WA will have one of its strongest ever representations of MPs in Federal Government, with 12 Lower House Liberal and National Party candidates to be part of a Tony Abbott-led Coalition.

Labor had another night to forget, but the result could have been worse - it held onto its three seats: Perth, Fremantle and Brand.

As expected, Alannah MacTiernan won Perth, but the party's defeat meant she was headed to the opposition benches.

Former Resources Minister Gary Gray claimed victory in Brand last night, with a swing against him (after preferences) of less than 2 per cent, enough for him to hang on.

It was a devastating result for Liberal candidate Donna Gordin, who was hopeful of victory after being narrowly defeated in the seat three years ago.

WA Labor senator Louise Pratt, who was fighting for her political career, said Labor had only itself to blame for the defeat.

"We governed the country very well, but not ourselves well," she said. "I think we need to take collective responsibility for that."

Senior Liberal sources said the Coalition victory would see at least four WA Liberals rewarded with ministries - Curtin MP Julie Bishop, Stirling MP Michael Keenan and senators David Johnston and Mathias Cormann.

Statewide wrap - see below for key individual seats

 
Labor's star candidate Alannah MacTiernan has likened Labor's leadership woes to a "Greek tragedy", blaming it on the election loss.

Shortly after claiming victory in retiring Defence Minister Stephen Smith's seat of Perth, Ms MacTiernan said Anthony Albanese or Mark Butler were best placed to take on the Labor leadership in opposition.

"We've gone through something that I guess we had to go through and I am really energised by the amount of enthusiasm out there," she said.

Alannah MacTiernan addresses a vocal crowd at the North Perth Town Hall. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

"I'm so glad that we've returned all three seats in WA and that the loss hasn't been as great as has been predicted around Australia.

"I think we're going to form a very credible opposition and rebuild for the future."

Full Perth wrap

  HASLUCK
KEN Wyatt says he is prepared to embrace a bigger role if Tony Abbott hands him one.

Mr Wyatt defeated Labor's Adrian Evans in the marginal seat, with a healthy swing to the Liberals of 4.2 per cent.

He won Hasluck by a 0.6 per cent slither in 2010.

Mr Wyatt is set to create history -  he'd be the first sitting member to retain Hasluck since the electorate was created in 2001.

Ken Wyatt watches the count with his supporters. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Mr Wyatt said he appreciated the opportunity to work for his electorate.

"I really want to be back here to continue the work that I've been doing and building that strong community ethos," the history-maker said.

Full Hasluck wrap

  BRAND
FORMER Rudd Labor government minister Gary Gray has claimed the seat of Brand.

Mr Gray said at a time when the ALP had been under stress nationally, there had been a swing to the party in the electorate which covers Rockingham, Kwinana and some parts of Mandurah.

With more than half the votes counted, there was a 2.7 per cent swing to Labor after preferences. Mr Gray's primary vote was up 0.5 per cent.

"We've had a very strong result in Brand," Mr Gray said, shortly after 8pm.

Federal MP Gary Gray addresses the crowd at his function. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

"We've got more counting yet to do but it appears that I've held the seat and it appears that my vote has increased which is very heartening after a long and arduous campaign that concluded on the strong issues for Labor and the issues that really do concern Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah.

"That's about education, it's about health care and it's about infrastructure.

"I'm pleased to be re-elected for another three year term."

Full Brand wrap

  SWAN
STEVE Irons has tightened his grip on Swan.

With half the votes counted, Mr Irons' vote after preferences was up 5.6 per cent.

Mr Irons said the results were "trending the right way".

He said the Coalition would be a "responsible, adult government".

"Tony will make a great Prime Minister."

Mr Irons won the seat in 2007, beating Kim Wilkie by just 164 votes. He was a single man at the time.

Steve Irons and wife Cheryle at the Amherst Street Hockey Pavilion in South Perth. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

He said the support of his "dynamo" wife had made a "helluva difference" to his political and personal life.

"It's hard to put into words, but I guess it has completed my life," he said. "We're part of a team now."

Full Swan wrap

  FREMANTLE
MELISSA Parke's victory in the seat of Fremantle is bittersweet, with the Labor MP losing her new place on the frontbench.

Parke told supporters at a Labor function tonight that: "we won the battle in Fremantle but we lost the war".

As Kevin Rudd conceded defeat, the former UN lawyer said goodbye to the international development portfolio she was handed just two months ago when Rudd returned to the leadership.

Ms Parke, who retained her seat with 54.2 per cent of the votes at 10pm, told PerthNow the Federal Labor party had "a lot to be proud of".

Fremantle's Melissa Parke celebrates her impending win. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: PerthNow

"It was not the wipeout that was predicted, so I think we've done really well, given what really was relentless negativity, not just in this campaign but since we formed minority government in 2010," she said.

"We now have a very important role to be an intelligent and conscientious opposition."

Full Fremantle wrap

  CURTIN
JULIE Bishop has promised a new era of WA-Canberra co-operation under Abbott government.

"Can WA expect a better deal? Absolutely. I'm a West Australian first," Ms Bishop declared.

Dressed in bright royal blue, the Foreign Affairs minister-in-waiting said she was proud to increase her margin - with a 1.4 per cent swing  to 67.6 per cent.

An A-list of political identities converged on the Subiaco community centre where the Bishop camp were not doing things by halves - a big marquee, flowing drinks, three TV flatscreens and maybe 300 or more helium-filled blue balloons.

Julie Bishop celebrates with WA Premier Colin Barnett. Picture: Ross Swanborough Source: PerthNow

Premier Colin Barnett and wife Lyn were happy to quaff red wine in celebratory mood.

"When the party was at its darkest moment, Julie held the team together," Mr Barnett said.

Full Curtin wrap

   OTHER WA SEATS
THE National Party looks like retaining O'Connor after winning the seat three years ago.

Early polling indicated Chub Witham would win the seat, despite a close contest with Liberal candidate Rick Wilson.

Retiring National MHR Tony Crook won O'Connor from Wilson Tuckey in 2010.

In Durack, Melissa Price is poised to retain the seat for the Liberals, following the retirement of Barry Haase.

Meanwhile, Member for Pearce Judi Moylan said she wished Christian Porter the best of luck in the safe Liberal seat.

She said she "never had any doubt" that he was the fit candidate for the seat, which she had held for 20 years.

"It's very nice for me as the retiring member to have such a candidate take over," Mrs Moylan said.

"I think he's going to make a fantastic member and will hopefully increase the margin."

Wrap of remaining WA seats

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Fuming ratepayer rams council car

This forklift driver didn't want the Gosnell Shire Council parking on their farmland. So he decided to remove them.

Police were called in after fuming forklift driver lifts Gosnells council car off property.

AN IRATE ratepayer has taken out his anger on the City of Gosnells by picking up a council car with a forklift and moving it - with two staff inside.

His "moment of madness" was captured on video and posted on LiveLeak early today - instantly attracting nearly 50,000 views.

The video was taken on Tuesday, September 3, on a property in Kenwick where owners Graham and Sandra Palmer and the City of Gosnells have been in a dispute over the use of the land since December 2010.

The Palmers were successfully prosecuted by the City over their unapproved developments, fined $50,000 and ordered to pay $10,000 in court costs, but are now appealing the decision in the Supreme Court.

The video begins with the two council workers getting out of a silver four-wheel-drive parked on a gravel driveway near a truck and shipping container. The City of Gosnells claims that moments earlier, the two staffers were in the car when it was first elevated from the ground.

The video shows a yellow forklift approaching and lifting the car and moving it backwards away from a truck. A council worker quickly moves out of the way.

A man's voice is heard saying "You're joking . . . I got it mate" while in the background another person is heard shouting "Get off or I'll call the police".

The forklift is then seen carrying the four-wheel-drive down a driveway while it's former occupants stand dumbfounded.

City of Gosnells chief executive officer Ian Cowie told PerthNow the City's compliance officers and rangers visited the property after receiving 13 complaints about activities occurring on the land.

Mr Cowie said the land was zoned rural and up to eight commercial or industrial businesses could be operating on the Kenwick lot.

"These activities are prohibited on rural properties," Mr  Cowie said.

"Complaints led to the City Officers visiting the property. On the day of this incident, they had been invited on to the property by one of the business operators."

Mr Cowie said after City officers had talked to the business operator, they were about to leave when they were approached by Mrs Palmer, and asked to leave. 

A city of Gosnells council car is removed by forklift from a property in Kenwick. Source: PerthNow

Mr Cowie claimed Mr Palmer prevented his officers from leaving.

The council boss told PerthNow: "The officers agreed to leave but were prevented from doing so by Mr Palmer who blocked their exit by ramming the vehicle and elevating it with his fork lift.

"Two staff were in the vehicle when it was first elevated from the ground. It appears that the staff did not suffer any serious injury."

Mr Cowie said the incident had been reported to WA police and he understood it was being investigated.

In February 2012, the City of Gosnells voted to proceed with legal action against the Palmers and the activity on the Kenwick property after years of non-compliance with zoning and planning permits. The city was first made aware of unauthorised works on the property in December 2010.

Throughout 2011, the city was aware of works continuing with no planning or development applications lodged.

In council minutes from February 2012, it was noted Mr Palmer's defence for the zoning breaches was that the City was "not constitutional".

"The City commenced prosecution and the conviction resulted in a $50,000 fine against the property owner, plus $10,000 legal fees," Mr Cowie said.

"The property owner appealed this conviction with the appeal now to be heard in the Supreme Court."

Attempts have been made to contact Mr and Mrs Palmer.

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James and Erica Packer's shock divorce

James and Erica Packer enjoy a kiss at the 2012 Melbourne Cup. Source: News Limited

BILLIONAIRE James Packer and his wife Erica have divorced after six years of marriage.

The couple, who have three young children, released a statement today, announcing the shock split.

"It is with great sadness that Erica and James Packer announce their separation,'' the statement said.

"We remain deeply close friends and incredibly proud parents and our children are our priority going forward."

James and Erica Packer have announced their divorce. Source: News Limited

The couple married on the romantic French Rivera in June 2007 in a glittering $6 million affair before Hollywood celebrities, sports stars and business moguls.

They have three children, Indigo, 5, Jackson, 3, and Emmanuelle, who turns one later this month.

James and Erica Packer in the gardens of the Hotel Du Cap Eden Rock, in the French Riviera, on their wedding day. Source: News Limited

"It's incredibly sad but these things do happen unfortunately,'' one friend said.

The divorce comes only two months after Mr Packer, Australia's third richest person with an estimated personal fortune of $6 billion, achieved his crowning glory as a businessman, winning a government licence to build a $1.5 billion casino-hotel resort at Sydney's Barangaroo.

Erica Packer takes her three children Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle trick or treating on halloween last year. Picture: MEDIA MODE Source: Supplied

Mr Packer, 45, began dating the Gunnedah-born beauty in 2003 and encouraged her to chase her dream of recording pop albums.

After weathering together the death of Mr Packer's larger-than-life father, Kerry Packer, on Boxing Day 2005, the couple married in 2007.

The recently moved into a new $50 million mansion in Sydney's Vaucluse.

James Packer's Vaucluse home. Source: News Limited

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Cyclone scarier than crocs, snakes

A NZ man has had a lucky escape after becoming stranded on a WA island and being stalked by a crocodile.

New Zealand kayaker Ryan Blair, who was kept hostage on a remote Australian island by a 6m crocodile for more than two weeks. Picture: Nine News Source: PerthNow

Ancient crocodiles may have once ruled Brisbane. Picture: Marc McCormack Source: News Limited

DODGING massive crocodiles and death adders is part of daily life for Kimberley local Don MacLeod, but he says that pales in comparison to battling a 300km/h cyclone.

Mr MacLeod hit headlines this week for saving a stranded Kiwi kayaker from an isolated island where he was menaced by a massive crocodile for two weeks, too terrified to paddle back to the mainland.

The rescue is one of many by the retired grandfather, who ``went feral'' and set up camp near the Drysdale River in a remote part of Western Australia's Kimberley 11 years ago.

Mr MacLeod speaks with great love for the countless native animals he shares his home with - including the deadly ones.

But it was Cyclone Ingrid, which crossed the coast near Kalumburu in mid-March 2005 - not jumbo man-eaters - that has proved his most frightening experience so far.

When he received a call warning him that 300km/h winds were on their way, he grabbed a mattress and a tarpaulin, and squeezed himself into a tight crack in a big rock.

And he didn't forget a bottle of whisky and a tin of bully beef to see him through the night.

``It was open at the top so you could see all the clouds were racing by, the wind got up and by 9pm, it was just absolutely roaring,'' Mr MacLeod, who is nearly 70, told AAP.

``It's just like a jet taking off.

``You couldn't hear any thunder - there was lightning - but it was just the sound of the trees getting smashed. Just one big homogenous roar.''

When daylight broke and the winds had died down, he emerged from his makeshift shelter and faced utter devastation.

``You really didn't know where you were for an instant.

``And for five or six days after, everything started to smell like cold tea.

``All the animals came out of the swamp because the oxygen was getting depleted - I came out of a billabong covered in these big leeches.''

Because the bees and tattered butterflies had nothing to feed off, Mr MacLeod threw out jars of jam from what was left in his shack.

Mangrove birds didn't have the shade they needed, so he put up a tarpaulin, ``which had a two inch fringe on it just from being whipped by the wind''.

The tremendous sound of the cyclone left him with ringing ears for three days afterwards, he says.

``I kept going down to the phone but the phone (line) had blown off the roof.''

He managed to re-attach it to advise the State Emergency Service that he was okay, but they came to check on him anyway.

``I hadn't smoked for 20 years but I accepted a smoke off the pilot. Just a rolly to settle my nerves.''

But the whole experience was strangely exhilarating, he admits.

``If you've ever got a hiding from your mother or been in a fight or something - and after it's all over, a couple of days later, you think `that was alright - I wouldn't mind doing it again'.

``It was like `I survived this - the excitement!''

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Vote 1 me! Final pleas from contenders

Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott have made one last appeal for votes. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

THE two men vying to be prime minister share their final pre-election messages to the people of Australia.

By Kevin Rudd

WHEN Australians vote this Saturday, they will be making a choice between fundamentally different visions for the future of our country.

Labor's vision is for a country where every Australian has the right to a decent job and where our economy grows to generate these job opportunities.

It is a vision of an Australia powered by the industries of the future - innovative agribusinesses, hi-tech manufacturers and new industries we haven't even dreamed of yet.

An Australia where all our kids get the education, skills and training they need.

We envision an Australia where homes and businesses are wired to the world through modern broadband technology.

It's an Australia with one of the world's best health and hospital systems, which looks after its elderly people and cares for those with disabilities.

By contrast, Tony Abbott's policies all boil down to just one thing: cuts.

My opponent is planning to cut billions of dollars in spending: cuts to services; cuts to education; cuts to family payments and cuts to public sector jobs.

And he continues to hide the details.

Throughout the election campaign Mr Abbott responded to questions about cuts by promising he would produce a full account of his promises and how he would pay for them before September 7.

When he finally produced documents on Thursday they included no detail and concealed the cuts he will impose upon Australians if he wins the election.

Cuts are the last thing Australia needs as our economy faces an important transition with the mining investment boom winding down.

To secure our future we need to diversify our sources of economic growth by investing in new industries and new jobs.

Kevin Rudd says his vision is very different to Tony Abbott's. Source: AFP

Labor has a $1 billion plan to create jobs beyond the boom and diversify our economy.

We have policies to ensure more Australian firms get work on the big investment projects and to ensure more young people get jobs as apprentices on federally-funded construction projects.

We will tackle unemployment through a new Jobs, Training and Apprenticeships Guarantee which will bring together our employment services and training systems - to give jobseekers and employers alike the skills they need.

Labor has a $15 billion Better Schools Plan to ensure our children get more one-on-one attention in the classroom.

Mr Abbott will cut school funding - and then he will cut the Schoolkids Bonus, making it harder for hundreds of thousands of families to make ends meet.

Labor is building the National Broadband Network to provide affordable, superfast broadband for families and businesses.

Mr Abbott will scrap the NBN.

It will cost up to $5000 to connect to a home or business to Mr Abbott's second-rate alternative, while Labor's NBN will be connected to homes and premises at no cost.

Labor will continue investing in our health and hospital system.

Mr Abbott's track record as Health Minister was to slash $1 billion from hospitals. Now he poses a threat to Medicare Locals and the jobs of 3000 front-line health workers.

Labor is building cooperative workplaces and supporting women in the workforce with the nation's first Paid Parental Leave scheme.

By contrast, when Mr Abbott was last in power, the Coalition introduced WorkChoices which cut wages and conditions.

On the economy, Labor has created nearly one million new jobs in Australia at a time when the global economy faced the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

Under our economic management, Australia has a AAA credit rating from all three global ratings agencies.

But we cannot take the future for granted.

We can only build a prosperous future by working together and implementing Labor's positive plans, not by cutting to the bone.

By Tony Abbott

Today we face the most important choice in a generation.

It is a clear choice between: the Liberal team with a positive Plan for the future or another three years of chaos, dishonesty and division from Labor.

We are a great country and a great people but we can't afford another three years like the last six - with more waste, more debt and more boats.

We need a stronger government and a stable Parliament, not another divided minority government.

We stand ready to deliver more jobs, higher wages and better services for all Australians - and we will do that by building a stronger economy through lower taxes, more efficient government and more productive businesses.

If you choose the Coalition, you'll get a new government that will:

• build a stronger, more diversified economy so everyone can get ahead;</p><p>

• scrap the carbon tax so that next year alone your family will be $550 a year better off;

• get the Budget back under control by ending Labor's waste;

• stop the boats; and

• build the roads of the 21st century - including the North-South Road.

That's our Contract with you.

I am confident in our plans because I am confident in my team.

For the last three years, the Coalition has had the same strong, united team as well as the same clear plans.

As you consider the choice for the next three years just remember:

•Labor changed prime ministers twice in three years;

•Labor hit your power bills with a carbon tax that is going up and up - as well as over 40 other new taxes and tax increases;

•Labor has run up record debt that you will have to repay - a debt that will surge past $300 billion by Christmas, and

•Labor started the boats - with over 51,000 arrivals including 3000 since Mr Rudd launched his "PNG solution".

Tony Abbott is promising a ''positive Plan'' for the future of Australia. Source: Getty Images

At this election, only the Coalition has put forward a positive Plan to build a strong, prosperous economy and a safe secure Australia.

If you vote for Our Plan real change starts the morning after the election.

You know what you will get.

If you vote for change, on day one of an incoming government, I will instruct the public service to prepare the carbon tax repeal legislation.

If you vote for change, Operation Sovereign Borders will start immediately.

If you vote for change, Labor's $1.8 billion FBT hit on company cars won't proceed and confidence can return to the local car industry from Sunday morning.

If you vote for change, defence spending will be preserved and defence industries supported.

With your vote, within one hundred days, legislation to abolish the carbon tax and the mining tax will be in the Parliament.

With your vote, by the end of a Coalition government's first term, the Budget will be on-track to a believable surplus.

And with your vote, we will restore confidence in our country and in our future.

Your vote gets a competent, trustworthy government. That's what my strong, united team want to deliver to the Australian people in the future.

And there's another commitment that we give you - there will not be a minority government under the Coalition.

There will be no deals done with independents or the Greens under the Liberal and National Parties.

At this election I need you to vote for change - so that we can achieve all the good things that we set out in our Contract with you.

There's only one way to do it and that's to vote for your local Liberal candidate.

I respectfully ask you to join us - and help us build a stronger Australia and a better future - for all Australians.

###

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Teacher jailed for raping girl, 8

A WA school teacher has been jailed for 12 years for raping an eight-year-old girl on a desk at a country primary school. Source: PerthNow

A FORMER primary school teacher who raped one of his eight-year old students on a classroom desk has been jailed for 12 years.

Ian Alexander McCooke, 70, will serve at least ten years in jail after being convicted on 13 charges of sexually abusing and raping two girls in Western Australia's Wheatbelt, the youngest of whom was just four.

McCooke denied both sets of offences, which began in 1997 - despite being secretly recorded by one of the girls admitting to touching her ``below the waist''.

An audibly emotional Judge John Staude said McCooke was one of the most cynical sex offenders he had ever encountered, saying he had utterly disgraced the teaching profession, and morally corrupted both of his victims.

``You put your sexual gratification above all other considerations,'' Judge Staude said in Perth's District Court.

``Both victims were groomed in order to get their cooperation and silence in a way that was particularly sinister.''

The two girls, who did not know each other, had both claimed McCooke groomed them with elevating levels of inappropriate touching before raping them.

The youngest was just four when the alleged abuse began, the court was told.

Prosecutor Brett Tooker said McCooke was a teacher at the Wheatbelt school from 1990, and in 1997 began taking a sexual interest in one of his Year 3 pupils.

The victim, who is now 24, told police McCooke began his abuse by touching her over her clothes, then inside her underwear and eventually raped her in the pre-primary room of the school.

He raped her again soon after on a desk in another classroom.

The second girl alleged she was abused repeatedly in the back of McCooke's van and in his home between 2000 and 2002.

McCooke, who has been married for 48 years, claimed to police that he had touched his younger second victim because she had asked him to. He had also attempted to blame another man as the abuser.

Judge Staude described his claims as ``unspeakably dishonourable''.

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Family 'knew' they had $22 million lucky ticket

A northern suburbs family has won $22.2 million in Oz Lotto, the third biggest Lotto prize ever won in WA. Source: PerthNow

A NORTHERN suburbs family has come forward to claim their $22.2 million Oz Lotto Division 1 win from Tuesday night.

The lucky ticket was purchased at Ocean Village News in City Beach.

The family said they'd been aware of the big Lotto win yesterday but didn't check their ticket straight away. As they day went on, one of the family members had a strong feeling that they had the multi-million dollar ticket.

"I just felt it really might be us. When I finally decided to check it late in the day and realised we had all the numbers I was initially calm," the family member said.

"We are all feeling quite overwhelmed now and it still hasn't sunk in that we will be sharing in this incredible prize."

The regular Lotto players left their numbers to chance, purchasing a Slikpik 12 ticket, which has numbers randomly generated by the terminal.

The family said the prize would be shared amongst several family members.

"It's great that lots of people will benefit from this win and that their lives will change dramatically," they said.

One of the plans on the family's wish list was travelling the world.

"I think we might be upgrading to first class flights," they said.

The $22.2 million won by the family is the third largest Lotto prize to be won in WA.
 

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Rebels bikies banned from pubs

Rebels bikies are preparing for their national run in WA.

HUNDREDS of Rebels bikies have started making their way to WA for the club's annual national run.

Patched members from different chapters of the club have formed in groups across the country and are expected to cross the border into WA together on Monday.

WA's gang crime squad has warned the public to expect traffic delays as close to 1000 club members travel through the state and into the Perth CBD.

Acting Detective Inspector Jeff Christmass said police were well prepared for the run and would shadow the group's movements during their stay in WA.

"We envisage that there will be some delays because there could be anywhere up to 800 or 900 motorbikes travelling in the same direction at the one time," Det Insp Christmass said.

"That's obviously a concern for us and something we need to manage.

"It looks like they will be coming into Perth and probably around the Mount Hawthorn and Osborne Park area, where they have their main club house."

The Rebels have about 70 chapters in the country and are the biggest outlaw motorcycle gang in the Australia.

Det Insp Christmass said the group would be met by police when they crossed the border into WA.

He said they were also monitoring ports and air traffic for the arrival of international club members.

"We have a large police contingent and we are ready and prepared to deal with any situation that happens throughout this operation," he said

"We don't expect there to be any trouble, but having said that, OMCG are always unpredictable and we need to be prepared to take all steps to make sure the community are safe.

"From the minute they cross the WA border we will be shadowing them."

Club members are expected to travel through Perth on Thursday next week and leave the following Monday.

Det Insp Christmass said associates of the club would not be allowed to enter licenced venues across the state.

ashlee.mullany@news.com.au
 

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Coalition red-faced over net filters

Communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull retracted the Coalition's internet filter policy tonight. Source: News Limited

A RED-FACED Coalition has been forced to issue a correction on its own policy that would have put internet filters blocking "adult content" on every mobile and tablet.

An 11-page policy quietly released today also promised service providers would be instructed to install filters for all new home broadband systems that would automatically block content, like a recently adopted UK model.

The blocks would have only been removed from mobiles only if the owner could prove they were over 18 and from home services if the customer specifically requested it be removed.

But Communications Spokesman Malcolm Turnbull retracted the policy tonight.

He said it was "poorly worded and incorrectly supported an opt out system of internet filtering for both mobile and fixed line services".

"The Coalition has never supported mandatory internet filtering," he said.

Instead, the Coalition would encourage mobile phone and internet companies to make available software that parents could install to protect their children from inappropriate material.

The initial document published specifically promised to copy measures introduced in the UK in recent months for opt-out internet filters for unsuitable content like pornography.

Malcolm Turnbull tweeted on the issue tonight. Source: News Limited

The Gillard Government was forced late last year to abandon a Rudd Government promise to introduce a national internet filter, which critics said would be inefficient, slow internet speeds and block unintended sites.

But the since retracted Coalition document said its approach was "a very different approach to the discredited compulsory filter", allowing people to decide whether to operate the "maximum protection" filter or not, as had been adopted in the UK.

Tony Abbott admitted to having quickly read the internet filter policy but did not spot the blunder, instead he believed it referred to encouraging providers to offer internet filtering if customers chose.

"We don't support internet filtering, we have never supported internet filtering," he said.

"I think there should be commercially available filters at the PC and mobile phone level for people to opt into if they wish.

"I read the policy last night, quickly it has to be said, I thought it was a reference to the ability of people to get an internet-based filter. I am sorry it was poorly worded, that has been cleared up."

Earlier tonight, Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey said he knew nothing of the compulsory internet filter when asked about it on Channel Ten's The Project.

When asked about Malcolm Turnbull's 2001 comments - in which Turnbull described the Labor proposal of a similar filter, almost exactly the same filter, as a restraint of freedom of speech - Hockey said: "Well, I'm not sure it's the same internet filter. I mean that's news to me.''

"I will check it out ... I've been a bit preoccupied today.''

When pressed about that it was a bit late to check out given it had already been announced just 36 hours out of Saturday's election, Hockey said: "Hang on - It's not quite the same as the internet filter that was previously - which I also campaigned against, the previous government's internet filter. But let me have another look at it. Today I have been preoccupied. I don't want to cut across what has been released today.''

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New royal hoax phone records twist

A student of a nursing college places a candle in front of a picture depicting nurse Jacintha Saldanha, during a candle-lit vigil. Picture: AP Source: AP

THE London nurse who took her own life after being pranked by Austereo for royal baby news is believed to have kept secret more phone calls from the radio network in the days before her suicide.

While details of the hoax call made to Saldanha in December 2012 made headline news around the world in the wake of her death and outrage over the hoax, it has emerged the Australian radio network has confirmed a number of follow up calls were made by the 2DayFM show responsible for the controversial prank.

The station says the calls were to ask permission to air the call.

A London Sunday Times investigation has claimed Southern Cross Austereo will present phone record evidence of four calls to the hospital, which previously denied it had been contacted for permission to air a controversial stunt, where DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian were given details on the condition of a newly pregnant Duchess of Cambridge after pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.

Michael Christian and Mel Greig interviewed on national television after the prank call. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

An inquest into Ms Saldanha's suicide death is scheduled for September 12 and 13 where at least one of the presenters, Greig, has committed to testifying about her role in the prank.

The hospital had held that there had been no further calls beyond the recorded material put to air by 2DayFM of another hospital staffer revealing private details on the morning sick princess.

But phone records may now allow for the possibility the 46-year-old nurse had received the calls but was too embarrassed to report them.

Mel Greig (R) and Michael Christian (L) leaving the 2Day FM radio office in Sydney's World Square. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

A 2DayFM spokesman said "we can confirm that four follow up calls were made to seek permission to air the call within an hour of the (prank) being made. Telstra has verified the calls coming from our Sydney studio and all being received at the same number in London (at the King Edward VII's hospital where Saldanha was night sister in charge).

"Because the calls were placed overseas, there was some debate about whether permission was needed. After the fourth call, we were advised internally we didn't need permission because (Saldanha) was not a resident of Australia."

Husband of late Jacintha Saldanha, Benedict Barboza, reacts as he and his son Junal, 16, left and daughter Lisha, 14, speak to the media. Picture: AP Source: AP

The newspaper report suggested this may have added to her distress and ultimately triggered her decision to hang herself in her nurses' accommodation quarters three days later.

"One of the calls was ended abruptly, but three others were long enough to have been a conversation. They were not made by the DJs, but members of the `Hot 30' show's production team.''

The additional calls were not recorded but the phone log confirms the destination number and the duration of the calls.

The Times said it is "highly likely the calls were answered by Jacintha and that she never disclosed these calls to another person before she hanged herself."

Ms Saldanha left behind three suicide notes and while two were left to her family, the third clearly implicates the two radio presenters, stating: "I hold the Radio Australians Mel Greig and Michael Christian responsible for their act. Please make them pay my mortgage. I am sorry, Jacintha."

The Times investigation also revealed details of Saldanha as a deeply troubled woman who had attempted suicide in late 2011 and may have again in early 2012.

After being diagnosed with a depressive disorder, she was referred to psychiatrist "in view of suicidal risk."

When she was discharged three days later, a doctor's note in her file read: "there is a risk of deliberate self-harm and the need for 24-hour supervision."

In the wake of Ms Saldanha's death and the scandal, Greig has been battling her own anguish and is also taking legal action against her employers.

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Millipedes 'blamed' for train bingle

HUNDREDS of tiny millipedes could be behind the collision of two trains on the Joondalup line that left six people injured this morning.

Two Perth trains collided at the Clarkson Station this morning. Source: PerthNow

Hundreds of Portuguese millipedes squashed on the tracks are suspected of causing a low-speed train collision at Clarkson. Picture: Berrington Kerris Source: PerthNow

HUNDREDS of tiny millipedes could be behind the collision of two trains on the Joondalup line that left six people injured this morning.

The two trains collided at the Clarkson train station about 6.40am. The collision occurred between a moving train and a stationary train which was taking on passengers going to Perth.

PTA spokesman David Hynes said the transport body was talking the matter very seriously and a full investigation into the incident was already underway.

"It was low speed (the collision)," Mr Hynes said.

"The stationary train was loading passengers at Clarkson and the other train was coming up behind it, as it would do being the next cab off the rank and it just hasn't been able to pull up in time.

"We don't know why.

"We are obviously looking quite seriously into that. We are very keen to find out what the circumstances were."

Mr Hynes said an ambulance was called to the scene to treat several people for stiff and sore necks.

"We have since had a couple of (injured) people put their hand up who continued on into Perth…I think we've got up to about five or six people who have reported they've got a stiff neck," he said.

Millipedes are being investigated as one possible cause, after the tiny arthropods were spotted in their hundreds on the tracks.

Drivers had previously been warned about the bizarre occurrence, with an infestation of Portuguese millipedes thought to have caused train tracks to become slippery when crushed by the wheels of a passing train last year.

The problem was reported in Rockingham and Kwinana, and on the freight network, with the PTA spraying insecticide in and around the tracks last September.

In 2009, a plague of the millipedes - latin name Ommatoiulus moreletii - overran railway tracks at Tallarook in central Victoria, causing several trains to be cancelled.

Services on both the Joondalup and Mandurah lines were delayed for about 15 minutes as a result of the incident. Services are now back to normal.

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Rejected ticket brings $1m lotto luck

A PERTH mother has won a million dollars in Monday Lotto after taking home the ticket a customer in front of her decided they didn't want.

She bought the lucky ticket at the Yanchep Central Newsagency.

"For some reason they didn't want the ticket anymore, so I bought it along with some others. It was just fate, we were meant to have the million dollar ticket," the woman said.

The family is planning to pay off their mortgage, set their children up for the future and reduce work hours to spend more time as a family.

"There's even some left over for me to buy my first Harley-Davidson motorcycle," the father said.

Lotterywest is still waiting to hear from WA's three weekend Division 1 Lotto winners who each picked up a prize of $715,471.

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Deluge doesn't deter school protest

WA's education chief has congratulated schools for not letting today's stop-work meeting affect students, saying the "disruption was minimised."

Hundreds of education assistants and cleaners have walked off the job to protest at Parliament House.

United Voice members protest against planned education funding cuts which could cost up to 500 jobs in WA state schools. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Federal Education Minister Bill Shorten address WA teachers at a rally at Parliament House. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

United Voice members protest against planned education funding cuts which could cost up to 500 jobs in WA state schools. Picture: Kerris Berrington

WA's education chief has congratulated schools for not letting today's stop-work meeting affect students, saying the "disruption was minimised."

Education Department director-general Sharyn O'Neill said she was "disappointed" that education assistants had walked off the job for today's rally at Parliament House.

Education assistants walked off the job and braved wet weather and strong winds for the 12.30pm rally. Teachers and principals also took part in an after-school rally at Parliament House at 4pm.

PICTURES: Teachers and education assistants rally

The rallies were called to protest over cuts to education including 500 staff and 30% of special program funding, which will also mean about 350 teachers could lose their jobs next year as student numbers rise.

Ms O'Neill also claimed that education assistants who work with students with disabilities, along with cleaners and gardeners also took part in the rally – despite not being affected by the cuts to the education budget.

Join our LIVE forum and have your say on the issue

 "When a significant number of people leave their workplace, there is always an impact, but I congratulate school staff for the professional way they managed the situation to ensure programs continued as normally as possible," Ms O'Neill said.

"There was some modification to learning programs at some schools but staff rallied around to ensure that any disruption was minimised.

"I am disappointed that this situation has occurred during school hours and I thank parents for their patience today."

She said the 4pm rally organised by the State School Teachers Union, attended by over 1000 teachers and principals, had not affected classes.

Union demands

Resolutions passed at the meeting included a demand that the cuts be reversed by the close of business, Friday 6th September.

Failure to do so would result in further campaigning, including a stop work meeting before the end of the current term.

Following the rally, SSTUWA President Anne Gisborne met with State Education Minister Peter Collier to discuss the cuts.

"I took the opportunity to explain the impacts of some of these cuts on the most disadvantaged schools and students," she said.

"I also suggested that the Minister should call a meeting with the Premier, Brendan Grylls and Treasury officials to find a way out of this situation without ripping the heart out of education in this state."

Ms Gisborne said she had agreed to meet with the Minister again next week.

However, she said that while the union would be happy to continue to talk to the government, it would not be backing down on its threats for further industrial and political action.

Shorten addresses teachers

FEDERAL Education Minister Bill Shorten says it's "dreadful" that education has become a "political football" in the west.

Speaking at today's rally outside Parliament House, Mr Shorten said "some issues should be above politics".

"What is the political gain for the Coalition in taking out of schools education assistants who are helping with literacy, numeracy, helping kids with special needs?" he said.

"Parents of children with significant impairment are often made to feel like bullies in schools because they try and get scarce resources for their own kids.

"How dreadful is it that all of a sudden properly funding schools is a political football in Western Australia, where we see the Liberal Party cutting funds, cutting staff, cutting the future of children in Western Australian schools."

Mr Shorten also warned that the education of every child in Australia was "at stake" at this weekend's Federal election.

"If you have a child at a school in Australia, please understand if you want to see what Tony Abbott will do after September 7th, talk to any child's parents or any teacher or any education worker in Western Australia what Tony Abbott's role model, Colin Barnett, is already doing to education," he said.

"On September 7th, you can choose cuts to education, job losses, reduction in the chances of a great future for kids – or you can vote for Labor's costed, six-year positive vision which sees the best possible support going to every child in Australian schools."

EARLIER, hundreds of striking Education Department staff braved awful wintry conditions to protest planned funding cuts which could cost their jobs. 

United Voice members, many of them education assistants, joined a rally at Parliament House to voice their anger at the Liberal Government's funding cuts.

Earlier today, Education minister Peter Collier defended the cuts, saying WA public secondary schools are "amongst the most inefficient in the nation" in student-staff ratios.

Speaking on 720 ABC Radio this morning, Mr Collier defended the cuts that have been made to the education budget, as State Parliament prepares for two rallies protesting the move today.

The 150 people who will lose their jobs at the Education Department's central and regional offices will directly affect the classroom, the Community and Public Sector Union warns.

United Voice members protest against planned education funding cuts which could cost up to 500 jobs in WA state schools. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

CPSU branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon said teachers working in WA's public schools need the support of experienced departmental staff.

"Our members do a valuable job in supporting the participation of Aboriginal children in education, assisting schools to manage their finances, developing programs, writing curriculum, sourcing and cataloguing educational resources, providing administrative assistance and many other functions in both the central and regional education offices but much of this work is going to disappear," Ms Hendon said.

"These people provide the support that keeps teachers in classrooms and ensure they have the resources they need to effectively educate our children.
 
"When these positions are taken away the teachers will be spending less time in the classroom as they will have to do more administration, find their own educational resources and deal with things like information technology problems all on their own.
 
"The latest cutbacks are another example of the Barnett Government running down essential services such as education.
 
"These staff provide a range of support services to students and schools that help them work to their optimum and abolishing the jobs will be a major blow to the quality of education in Western Australia."

Ms Hendon said the specific head and regional office cutbacks will be in Aboriginal Education (3), Digital Curriculum (12), Finance and Administration (20), Financial Management (2), Goldfields regional office (2), ICT (9), Innovation, Performance and Research (4), Kimberley regional office (1), Midwest regional office (2), North West regional office (5), Early Childhood (3), Office of the Director General (7), South Metropolitan office (3), South West regional office (4), Statewide Planning and Delivery (29), Statewide Services (8) and Workforce (8).

Mr Collier said the new student-centred funding model, along with the cuts, would ensure a "more equitable distribution of teachers throughout our education system".

"I think principals and teachers are very professional people - they do understand what the situation is with regard to changes," he said.

"Change in education is difficult…

"I reinforce the point that in terms of ratios, particularly for secondary schools, we are amongst the most inefficient in the nation."

Mr Collier also said "a week is a long time in politics" as he claimed he was "confident" that a Federal Liberal Government would be willing to negotiate with WA over Gonski.

He said "teachers in WA are the highest paid in the nation" and "that is something to be applauded". But he said there were savings that needed to be made to ensure a fairer public education system.

The Barnett Government announced last week a new student-centred funding model for 2015, along with cuts to 500 jobs and reductions in programs that tackle behaviour, literacy and numeracy.

There is also a hiring freeze on teachers for 2014 and the prospect of school amalgamations and closures.

United Voice WA assistant secretary Carolyn Smith says industrial action is a last resort, but the education system has reached crisis point and members are angry.

Mr Collier isn't surprised by the reaction.

``Of course, when you have changes such as these, they cause a degree of anxiety and unrest,'' he told ABC radio.

But he said the education budget in WA was higher now than before the Liberals came into power, and the funding model needed an overhaul because it was ``complex, unwieldy and doesn't necessarily provide for the best educational outcomes''.

The Sunday Times revealed at the weekend, that principals and senior staff are threatening to strike over cuts to the education budget, which they warn could cost large senior public high schools up to $1 million next year.

As the teachers' union said the cuts could drive some of the state's most experienced school leaders out of the system, WA's education chief said "it is not sustainable to operate as we always have under the current outdated system".

State School Teachers' Union president Anne Gisborne said industrial action would be considered at a meeting called for principals and deputy principals on Wednesday.

Ms Gisborne said she feared experienced school leaders would walk out on the public system because their "professional integrity" would be compromised as a result of the cuts.

"We will certainly be looking at a range of strategies. We will be engaging in some discussions with the other unions," she said.

One principal, who did not want to be named, said the cuts would cost large senior high schools between $400,000 and $1 million.

"This is the biggest hurt to public education in the many decades I've been involved in education," he said.

"There is all sorts of talk about downing tools. We will be running a very strong campaign. I am very seriously willing to (strike over this). For a lot of people, this will be the first time they have ever downed tools. People are saying that they have never been willing to down tools for pay rises and so on, but for this, they would be willing to.

"There is a lot of anger, frustration, almost depression around this because we're being asked to do more at the same time, but with a huge amount less." - See more at: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-principals-threatening-to-strike-over-cuts-to-the-education-budget/story-fnhocxo3-1226703412534#sthash.ueNOTlP2.dpuf

One principal, who did not want to be named, said the cuts would cost large senior high schools between $400,000 and $1 million.

"This is the biggest hurt to public education in the many decades I've been involved in education," he said.

"There is all sorts of talk about downing tools. We will be running a very strong campaign. I am very seriously willing to (strike over this). For a lot of people, this will be the first time they have ever downed tools. People are saying that they have never been willing to down tools for pay rises and so on, but for this, they would be willing to.

"There is a lot of anger, frustration, almost depression around this because we're being asked to do more at the same time, but with a huge amount less."

Ms O'Neill said that although students with disability who currently receive education assistant support are not affected by recent funding changes she understood some education assistants who work with these children may be considering taking part in the action.

"These schools have some of our most vulnerable children so parents will want to know as soon as
possible if their child's school may be affected by this action," she said.

She said change was needed to bring about reform to school funding to give every child a fair go, and to ensure budget sustainability.
 

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Buddy rubbed out of final

Franklin's decision to bump will lead to sleepless nights for Hawks fans going into September

Lance Franklin celebrates one of his three first-half goals against the Kangaroos. Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN goalkicking ace Lance Franklin is out of Friday night's qualifying final against Sydney unless he can overturn a one-match suspension.

Franklin was hit with the one game penalty for rough conduct against Swan Nick Malceski in Sydney last Friday night.

He will risk missing another final if he challenges at the AFL Tribunal tomorrow night and fails to convince the jury to either downgrade or throw out the charge.

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The bump was assessed as negligent, medium impact and high contact - a total of 225 activation points.

Franklin can cut that to 168.75 and a one-match ban by pleading guilty before 11am Wednesday.

He had no carry-over points despite a lengthy rap sheet.

While Hawthorn has won 11 of its past 12 games without Franklin, only three have been against top-four sides.

Franklin's captain Luke Hodge has been fined $1950 for making contact with an umpire.

The panel also assessed an errant elbow by Franklin that bloodied the nose of Swans defender Heath Grundy.

The panel deemed the contact to be incidental and as a result of Grundy hanging on to his arm as he led for the ball.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is confident that he has the personnel to replace Lance Franklin,with the forward at risk of missing one or more matches for his bump on the Sydney Swan's Nick Malceski.

In other incidents from Round 23, Essendon's Jake Melksham will sit out the first two rounds of next season for a forearm to the face of Richmond's Daniel Jackson.

His penalty was impacted by a poor record.

And Saint Leigh Montagna was handed a one-match ban for striking Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley.

Brisbane defender Matt Maguire can accept a reprimand for striking Geelong forward Steve Johnson while Demons Jack Viney, Jordie McKenzie, Max Gawn, Colin Sylvia and Dean Kent face fines for taking part in a melee along with Bulldogs Will Minson, Lachie Hunter, Jordan Roughead, Ryan Griffen and Jarrad Grant.

Toby Greene, Matt Priddis and Sam Jacobs were also fined for making contact with umpires in Round 23 matches.

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Tourist stalked by huge crocodile in Kimberley

A New Zealander has had an amazing escape after being trapped on a remote WA island for two weeks by a huge crocodile which would not let him leave.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER: A tourist was reportedly stranded on an island in the Kimberley - terrified he was going to be attacked by a 6m crocodile. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

A NEW Zealand kayaker has reportedly had an amazing escape after becoming trapped on a remote WA island for more than two weeks by a huge crocodile which would not let him leave.

The man, known only as Ryan, was last month exploring the northern WA coast near Kalumburu, which is between Derby and Kununurra.

Having been left on the remote Governor Island, the Kiwi realised he didn't have enough supplies and attempted to paddle the four kilometres or so back to the mainland.

View Larger Map
But he immediately caught the eye of the six-metre saltwater crocodile who has lived in the area for years.
Every time he attempted to leave, the crocodile would make his presence felt, leaving the adventurer stranded for a fortnight.

On Saturday, local Don McLeod spotted a light on the island, and when he checked it out, the hatless, shirtless and desperate visitor approached.

"When I came round through Red Bluff opposite Governor Island I saw a flash in the scrub,'' Mr McLeod told ABC radio.

"I went across and Ryan came out looking a bit distraught.

"He came down the beach, he had no hat on and no shirt on.

"He was relieved and shocked, and thankful someone had come along because he was running out of options pretty quickly.

"He is a very, very lucky man.''

Ryan's passage to WA was an incredible story in itself, having travelled from Queensland to the Kimberley on a yacht whose owner was then jailed in the Northern Territory, leaving his passenger stranded for two months.

After hitching a lift with a solo yachtsman from the Territory to WA, he was dropped on Governor Island with 160 litres of water, some flour and dry stores.

But after realising he was unprepared for the Kimberley wilderness, his first attempt to reach the mainland was thwarted by the massive crocodile.

Mr McLeod said the story was incredible.

"He said every time he got in his little kayak, which was only 2.5m long, this crocodile - who has lived there for many years and is a monster - has chased him,'' Mr McLeod said.

"He was desperate for water when I trotted up.

"We gave him a cold beer, which was probably the wrong thing, and then he went to sleep about three-quarters of the way home.''

The New Zealander has been given a bed at a mission on the mainland as he recovers.

Attempts to contact him have so far been unsuccessful.

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ALP about-face a blow to WA Nats

TIGHT CONTEST: National Party leader Warren Truss says the ALP decision to preference the Liberals had made it harder for the Nationals in what was seen as the party's two most winnable WA seats. Source: TheAustralian

THE NATIONAL and Liberal parties are squaring off for a showdown in two of Western Australia's biggest regional electorates, that of O'Connor and Durack.

As the battle for the bush continued in the red dirt of Kalgoorlie today, federal National Party leader Warren Truss said Labor's shock decision to help its arch rivals the Liberals in the seats had been a blow to his party.

"I'm not gobsmacked by anything Labor does now,'' he said.

Labor is preferencing the Liberals over the Nationals on how-to-vote cards being distributed in the electorates ahead of Saturday's poll.

The two electorates are among five both of the parties are contesting in WA.

Mr Truss said the ALP decision had made it harder for the Nationals in what had been seen as the party's two most winnable WA seats.

But he hoped Labor voters would make up their own minds about preferences on the day.

Mr Truss was in Kalgoorlie campaiging with the party's O'Connor candidate, mining executive and geologist Chub Witham, who is locked in a hard-fought battle with Liberal candidate, farmer Rick Wilson.

The massive electorate of O'Connor includes the rough-and-ready mining town as well as the south-west centres of Albany and Esperance.

Asked if the contest would be closer to call than the Melbourne Cup, Mr Truss replied:"`Some Melbourne Cups aren't that close, but we believe we're competitive.''.

Retired Nationals MP Tony Crook wrested the seat of O'Connor from the Liberals at the last Federal election, ironically on Labor preferences.

He became the party's first WA member of the House of Representatives in 34 years.

Mr Truss, who stands to become deputy Prime Minister should the coalition win government, conceded that competition for seats between the Nationals and Liberals in the lead up to the election was fierce.

``We're competitive during election time,'' he said.

But he downplayed a recent spat between the Nationals and Liberal shadow treasurer Joe Hockey.

He said comments made by Mr Hockey -- which referred to Nationals candidates as a ``protest movement'' -- were the result of a misunderstanding.

"We've been good friends for a long time,'' he said of Mr Hockey. ``I'm sure he'll make a very good treasurer.''

Meanwhile, in the electorate of Durack, which stretches from Kununurra in WA's north to Geraldton, the Nationals candidate Shane Van Styn, a business owner, is locked in battle with the Liberals candidate, lawyer, Melissa Price.

Other WA electorates being contested by both parties include Canning, Forrest and Pearce.

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Eagles star Kerr set to retire

West Coast coach John Worsfold addresses the media after his side's heavy loss to Adelaide.

Eagles ... Daniel Kerr may retire due to ongoing injuries. Source: News Limited

WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold has revealed that champion on-baller Daniel Kerr is set to retire.

Kerr, 30, is believed to have told his Eagles teammates on Sunday that he would hang up is boots.

He joins other 2006 Eagles premiership stars Andrew Embley and Adam Selwood who announced retirements from the game late last month and played in send-off games in Perth on Saturday night against Adelaide.

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Kerr has not played since the Eagles Round 13 loss to Essendon in Perth when he racked up 19 possessions and looked set to revive his accomplished career that has been riddled with hamstring and knee troubles over the past four seasons.

"He indicated today that he is really not confident in his body holding up at all going into next season," Worsfold told Channel Seven News in Perth.

"Right at this moment we've got to work through all of that and what it means for us as a club and what it means for Daniel.

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"At this stage he has lost confidence that he can go possibly on.

"So we've got to look at that (retirement) option." 

And an embattled Worsfold indicated for a first time that he might have coached West Coast for a last time.

Worsfold has been Eagles coach for the past 12 seasons and won the premiership in 2006, but has been under siege with declining finals hopes in 2013 and missing the finals this season with just nine wins after being roundly touted as flag contenders this year.

Future ... John Worsfold still hasn't made up his mind. Source: Getty Images

West Coast limped to the end of the season with three successive horror beltings from Geelong, by 11 goals, Collingwood (61 points) and then a humiliating 86-point defeat to Adelaide in Perth on Saturday night.

"I say it with players and it probably goes with coaches, it's always a possibility," Worsfold conceded.

"Right at the moment, I'm still contracted to West Coast until the end of October.

"I'm looking forward to letting our board know some of the lessons that we've learned throughout this year and I will present that to them and we'll keep pushing forward."

Worsfold's future is destined for a presentation of plans for a West Coast finals revival for next season when he meets Eagles board of directors within a fortnight.

Kerr met with Worsfold in Perth on Monday and the star play-maker indicated doubts that his weary knees will tolerate the hectic hurly burly of AFL requirements next season.

Kerr is contracted for 2014, but managed just 11 games this year in another injury-ravaged season and reluctantly decided to hang up his boots

He has played 220 senior games and was twice runner-up to the covet6ed Brownlow Medal in 2005 and 2007.

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