Perth's best-kept property secret

The city skyline and river as seen from the emerging suburb of Brentwood. Pictures: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

IT may be the best-kept secret patch of riverside earth in Perth.

The south-eastern suburb of Brentwood has topped the state for median house price growth in the past year, according to The Property Report in this weekend's The Sunday Times.

WHAT'S YOUR SUBURB WORTH? Click here to explore our special interactive

Landgate figures show the quiet corner with Canning River - and more specifically Bull Creek - waterway access recorded median house price growth of 47.8 per cent on the back of 13 sales to lead the whole state.

It's certainly a river of gold to young couple Julie and Wayne Granville, who moved to Brentwood in 2001 and over the past dozen years have witnessed the thriving suburb grow in community spirit and people.

See this weekend's The Sunday Times for the Property Report liftout

Home to just under 2000 residents, the area is a "stunning'' haven for the family of four, who love the lush Brentwood backdrop with the river just down the road.

The south-eastern suburb of Brentwood has topped the state for median house price growth in 2013. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

"We have lovely neighbours, my kids go to a lovely little school, and it's just a little pocket that we really like,'' Mrs Granville said.

"I'm very fond of the river. We quite often see pelicans and dolphins in the water and I take the children down there in the evening and they swim in the river and it's just stunning.''

From her residence on Selway Rd, Mrs Granville said Brentwood was home to people with good old-fashioned values.

Julie Granville and children Georgia, 3, and Charlie, 5, at Thomas Middleton Park in Brentwood. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

"Our neighbours are elderly and keep the tradition of talking to each other alive, which is great because it's like it was when I was growing up, and my children get to be a part of that environment,'' she said.

The Granvilles predict they will probably be in the same spot in 20 years time.

"You really have that sense of being a part of somewhere rather than just living in a house,'' Mrs Granville said.

Julie Granville and children Georgia, 3, and Charlie, 5, at Thomas Middleton Park in Brentwood. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

Acton Real Estate Applecross senior sales consultant Pauline Couanis said many families overlooked Brentwood but in recent times the suburb's popularity had grown due to its affordability and amenities.

"There is always very little stock available in Brentwood because of the facilities offered, the affordability of the suburb and the schooling options,'' Ms Couanis said.

"Listings are competitive as there is not a large turnover of housing as it is not a large suburb.''

Ms Couanis said people moving into the suburb were generally looking for affordability, convenience and good schooling.

"In more recent years, land within the suburb has been developed and newer homes constructed,'' she said.

"These and other large properties in the area appeal to families, given the schooling opportunities, the location and the proximity of rail and bus transport.

"Many properties are within a stroll to the river, with some on the river.''

Mallison Real Estate managing director Spiro Mallis listed several benefits to buying in Brentwood.

"Proximity to the city, it borders Mount Pleasant, is a highly desirous location, the get-in price is more affordable than neighbouring suburbs, its location to Garden City, the train, Fremantle, and freeway,'' he said, listing the suburb's great qualities.

"But Brentwood and Bateman are small suburbs and are (in) high demand. As the sprawl continues south, the demand intensifies.''

PROPERTY REPORT - SUBURB PRICE GUIDE INTERACTIVE

THE Property Report puts the latest suburb price guide and data at your fingertips.

Whether you're a homeowner, a prospective buyer or seller, tap a postcode into our special property interactive to find detailed data on that suburb, including median house price, suburb growth and block sizes.

The figures are from independent government authority Landgate and should give home owners every reason to be confident as 2013 draws to a close.

A sea of upward green arrows - showing median house price growth for most areas in the state - are a clear sign of a seller's market in the Perth market cycle. Happy house hunting!

INTERACTIVE: Hover over our Google map interactive to see a suburb's growth cycle over the past 10 years or click here to explore our special postcode interactive.

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No jab, no childcare says Perth doctor

AMA WA branch president Richard Choong has put forward a plan to ban children from daycare centres if they are unvaccinated. Source: PerthNow

CHILDREN who are not fully vaccinated would be banned from childcare centres under a plan put forward by the Australian Medical Association.

The Sunday Times has learnt the AMA's WA branch wants the Barnett Government to consider introducing such a ban into law.

Under the plan, unvaccinated children would not be allowed into childcare unless their parents registered as conscientious objectors and presented paperwork, signed by a doctor, justifying their position.

The medical body believes most parents who fail to have their children vaccinated simply forget or are complacent  rather than don't believe in the practice.

AMA WA president Richard Choong said they would raise the prospect of legal changes with Health Minister Kim Hames as soon as possible.

"No jab, no play" laws that allow childcare workers to turn away children whose immunisation records are not up to date were passed in NSW in May and will come into effect there in January.

Australian Child Immunisation Register data reveal WA as having the worst vaccination record in the country for young children. As of June, just 91.1 per cent of two-year-olds and 90.3 per cent of five-year-olds in WA were fully immunised.

Dr Choong said the figures were "alarming", and if the immunisation rates dropped into the 80 per cent range the risk of an epidemic was "dramatically increased".

"There would not be enough people in the community who would be immune to the disease," Dr Choong said.

"We've seen that recently in Wales."

A measles epidemic was reported in Wales between November 2012 and July this year, during which 1455 cases were reported.

In WA, six cases of measles in adults and two in young children have been reported by the Health Department in the past fortnight.

The children were aged 13 and 15 months and one attended a childcare centre, but was not believed to have been infectious at that time.

The adults all contracted the disease while travelling in Bali.

WA Immunisation Strategy Implementation Steering Committee chairwoman Rosanna Capolingua said there were "significant concerns" about WA's immunisation rates, particularly for the metropolitan area.

"We do very well in certain areas  such as the Kimberley, the Mid-West and the Wheatbelt  but North Metro and South Metro immunisation rates are much lower," she said.

"We know it's not just conscientious objectors because that's actually a small percentage. It's just about parents and families being able to start the immunisation schedule and finish it. At the moment we have two babies with measles because of a measles outbreak in Bali. Those two kids didn't go to Bali, they didn't have to go to Bali to get measles, they just had to be living in WA and not immunised."

Dr Hames said the Government had no plans to change immunisation laws. "In May I launched the WA Immunisation Strategy 2012-2015, which aims to improve immunisation rates among WA children," he said. "It focuses on four-year-olds entering the education system and on high school students, as well as increasing immunisation rates among Aboriginal children.

"It's our view that school-entry immunisation checks, coupled with health education and access to vaccine services, can achieve immunisation coverage rates in excess of 95 per cent, sufficient to prevent sustained disease transmission among schoolchildren and their community."

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Farce is with Ludlam in 'Star Wars' Senate count

Senator Scott Ludlam wining after the WA Senate recount by the WA Electoral Commission in Perth. Picture: Ross Swanborough Source: The Sunday Times

GREENS Senator Scott Ludlam snatched victory from the jaws of defeat yesterday after a thrilling recount of the WA Senate result saw him hang on to his job in Canberra.

The recount of the September 7 poll produced several shocks, including Labor Senator Louise Pratt losing her seat in Parliament and a surprising win for the Australian Sports Party.

Yesterday's announcement of the crisis-plagued recount result prompted jubilant scenes from Greens supporters gathered at the Northbridge count centre.

Such is the eclectic mix of politicians now in the Senate, it is being compared to the Mos Eisley bar in the first Star Wars film.

But the celebrations are likely to be short-lived, as mining magnate Clive Palmer, founder of the Palmer United Party, vowed to challenge the recount result in the Court of Disputed Returns within minutes of the announcement. Labor is also expected to lodge an appeal.

This week, the Australian Electoral Commission called in former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty to investigate the loss of 1375 ballot papers missing from the WA Senate recount.

During the recount of 1.3 million ballot papers, it is understood scrutineers also found informal votes from the original count that were actually valid, and above-the-line papers that should have been in the below-the-line pile, altering the result.

The Australian Sports Party's candidate Wayne Dropulich scored an astonishing victory and Senator Ludlam snuck back into the Senate, ending Senator Pratt's political career and forcing the Palmer United Party's Zhenya "Dio'' Wang out.

Senator Scott Ludlam wining after the WA Senate recount by the WA Electoral Commission in Perth. Picture: Ross Swanborough Source: The Sunday Times

During a preselection battle, Ms Pratt lost her No.1 position on WA Labor's Senate ticket in favour of union heavyweight Joe Bullock, who retained his position after the recount.

Liberal senators David Johnston, Michaelia Cash and Linda Reynolds also held their positions.

Senator Ludlam and Mr Dropulich requested the recount after the original result revealed a razor-close finish.

There was a 14-vote difference between the Shooters and Fishers Party and Australian Christians, which handed a third Senate seat to the Palmer United Party, ending Senator Ludlam's political career in the original count.

Yesterday Senator Ludlam, joined by a dozen overjoyed Greens supporters, said he was "delighted'' with the result, which saw him gain a 12-vote victory. He was looking forward to getting on with his job, though he expected "a few twists and turns ahead''.

"We know, of course, that other parties are likely to take a very close look at the numbers - they obviously would be keeping their options open,'' he said.

"The Electoral Commission also indicated it might consider a referral to the Court of Disputed Returns.

"That's obviously a few jumps down the track. As far as I'm concerned, we've certainly been vindicated in our call for a recount.

"Quite a few hundred votes changed hands and it sounds like a lot until you realise there is actually a warehouse full of paper  you can never quite exclude human error.

"Hopefully this allows us all to get on with our jobs with a degree of certainty, but I'm well aware that there could be a few twists and turns ahead of us yet.''

Meanwhile, Mr Palmer slammed the recount as a "bad day for democracy'', as he declared he would challenge the result through the Court of Disputed Returns. He maintains the original result should be upheld.

"The AEC has got this wrong on so many levels, which I've been saying for the last eight weeks,'' Mr Palmer said.

"How they can lose 1375 votes is simply beyond belief and demonstrates incompetence or criminal conduct. The original count should stand as that is the only count where we had a full count of all votes.''

Australian Electoral Commission spokesman Phil Diak said the recount result would be formally declared tomorrow.

He was unable to comment on how close the recount result was yesterday, nor what role the missing 1375 votes would have had on the recount result.

Mr Dropulich welcomed the result, but said his celebrations were "reserved''.

"It's still a long way to go  it's definitely not over just yet,'' he said. "Different things happen to different people and we're lucky enough to be in this position.''

Before the recount result was announced, federal Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek said she "did not know anyone who'd had a more stressful few weeks'' than Ms Pratt. She told Ms Pratt at WA Labor's state conference that "everyone in this room values your work and supports you''.

Australian Greens leader Christine Milne said "this whole saga highlights the need for electoral reform''.

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Shark alarm in Perth's north

Bodyboarders ordered out of the water at Trigg Beach after the sighting of the Tiger Shark. Picture: Jodi-Lea Kershaw Source: PerthNow

MORE sharks are spotted at northern suburbs beaches than anywhere else in Perth.

Helicopter patrol data obtained by The Sunday Times reveals 76 per cent of the 104 shark sightings made in the 2012-13 financial year were at northern suburbs beaches.

The biggest number was recorded at Scarborough and City beaches, where seven sharks were spotted, followed closely by Floreat, Swanbourne and Trigg, which each had six.

The 104 shark sightings were recorded by Surf Life Saving WA's metropolitan helicopter patrol at 45 beaches, 29 of them in the northern suburbs.

The figures include a "feeding frenzy" of 20 tiger sharks at Trigg Beach, which has been counted as one incident.

Tiger sharks were the most-sighted variety, accounting for almost 40 per cent of sightings.

Great white sharks were spotted at City Beach (2), Floreat (1), Fremantle (1), North Cottesloe (1), Leighton (1) and a beach on the Cambridge-Stirling border (1). There were four great white sightings at Rottnest Island beaches.

Other varieties included bronze whaler (3) and hammerhead (18).

In 30 sightings the type of shark could not be identified.

SLSWA chief executive Paul Andrew said a number of factors could influence shark sightings, including tagged sharks setting off "responders".

"Just off City Beach, for example there is one of those responders," he said. "Tagged sharks will set those off as well, which will then result in, if the helicopter's not there, it being called out and so forth."

Floreat and City beaches were closed on Friday after tagged sharks were detected by the Department of Fisheries.

Fisheries Minister Troy Buswell said the WA Government had provided "unprecedented investment" in shark research and shark mitigation funding.

"The Liberal-National Government has allocated more than $20 million over four years to 2015-16 for shark hazard mitigation strategies, aimed at reducing the risk of shark attacks against WA beachgoers," Mr Buswell said.

"The network, which extends from South Australia to WA, uses about 320 receivers positioned in the seabed and 20 satellite receivers to monitor tagged sharks.

"In recent weeks our scientists have tagged five white sharks and nine bronze whaler sharks, which takes the total number of sharks part of the tagging program to 335 (141 white sharks, 175 whaler sharks and 19 tiger sharks).

"The satellite receivers can give real time information on the presence of a tagged white shark, information which can be monitored 24 hours a day by the public."

The Barnett Government this month announced that a $165,000 shark-proof enclosure would be installed for a one-year trial at Old Dunsborough Beach in the state's South-West.

It will be 300m long, will extend 100m offshore and be made of heavy gauge mesh.

University of WA Oceans Institute associate professor Nathan Hart said the barrier would only hold up in calm conditions, making it unsuitable for use at any of Perth's metropolitan beaches. But he said the beach-by-beach approach was "sensible".

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What is the 'Mother of Satan'?

Chemical explosives found in WA have been confirmed to be the highly-volatile TATP.

Police divers search South-West waters after the TATP explosive was detected. Picture: Beau Pearson / ABC Source: PerthNow

A large haul of TATP was found in a South-West estuary - so, what is it?

Police are investigating the discovery of a second "object" found in the Leschenault Estuary, near where a haul of volatile TATP chemical explosives were found on Tuesday.

Here are some facts about the explosive:

* Acetone peroxide - otherwise known as triacetone triperoxide or peroxyacetone - is an organic peroxide, and can be used as a primary high explosive

* It commonly appears as a white crystalline powder and has a distinct smell of bleach

* It is highly volatile, and particularly susceptible to heat, friction and shock

* It is created through the chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and acetone

* It is chemically notable as one of the few high explosives not containing nitrogen - making it popular with terrorists as it can pass through scanners designed to detect nitrogenous explosives

* As little as four grams can cause a detonation when ignited

* TATP base ingredients can include drain cleaner, bleach and acetone

* The recipe to make it is easily available on the internet, including a YouTube video viewed over 82,000 times

* It has been linked with various terrorist attacks including those attributed to al-Qaeda

* The substance was included as the trigger in the shoe bomb that Briton Richard Reid attempted to set off on a flight to Miami in December 2001

* It was also used in the 2005 London terrorist bombings, which claimed 52 lives

* Its highly unstable nature has earned it the nickname "Mother of Satan''.

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Explosives found days before political summit

Police in WA have been forced to transport dangerous chemicals away from where they may cause harm.

Commander Scott Higgins said Federal Police have been called in to trace the origin of the explosives haul. Source: News Limited

Commander Scott Higgins fronts the media yesterday after the revelation that the chemical found was the highly volatile explosive TATP. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: News Limited

The TRG Bearcat, which was used to transport the volatile TATP from Curtin House to Gloucester Park. Source: News Limited

A COUNTER terrorism expert believes the discovery of volatile explosives just days before world leaders meet in Perth for the Indian Ocean Rim Association summit is a "nasty coincidence."

Curtin University's Alexey Muraviev told PerthNow today the discovery raised additional security concerns for the event, which will see Foreign Ministers from countries such as India, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia and Sri Lanka meet in Perth tomorrow, November 1.

Dr Muraviev said terrorists wanted symbolic targets and the IORA event could provide such an opportunity.

"Many of them (member countries) are engaged in counter-terrorism efforts and many countries of the Indian Ocean Rim are affected by ongoing high levels of terrorism activity," he said.

He said because Perth was not considered a high-risk terrorism target, there would have also been an added element of surprise in any attack plot.

Police today said they were not ruling out any line of inquiry after a second suspicious package was found underwater at the Leschenault estuary in Australind this morning.

Army bomb disposal experts have been called in to help dispose of explosives after another suspicious package was found in the estuary where a large cache of the volatile chemical compound TATP was discovered on Tuesday.

PerthNow understands the substance found in the water today was located at the end of the jetty, and heavily weighted.

It was similar in size to the one found on Tuesday.

It is understood specialist Navy divers and officers from the bomb squad will move the substance a short distance early tomorrow morning and then detonate it on land in a controlled explosion.

Earlier this afternoon a forensics police officer spent 15 minutes photographing evidence on the side of Old Coast Road, about 50m from the jetty.

It appeared to be a small piece of paper which was eventually bagged and taken away as evidence by the officer.

Police investigating the discovery of explosives in Australind. Photos Bohdan Warchomij Source: News Limited

Police say there are no "legitimate" reasons why someone would be in the possession of the highly dangerous chemical other than for criminal activities.

Following this morning's discovery what could be more of the highly explosive material, State Crime A/Commander Scott Higgins told a press conference that while police were still trying to establish what it was intended for, the substance is used in terrorist attacks.

Earlier police confirmed the material destroyed at Gloucester Park yesterday was TATP, or 'Mother of Satan', the volatile chemical used in the 2005 London bombings.

Police officers in Australind, where two suspicious packages have been found at the Leschenault estuary. Photos Bohdan Warchomij Source: News Limited

Acting Commander Higgins said police were not ruling out any line of inquiry and confirmed the Major Crime Squad is looking at a list of people but was not close to making an arrest.

He also said TATP had previously been found in other locations in Australia.

"There's a whole range of different possibilities (for why) from prank to the more sinister and those are the ones we are looking in to," he said.

"This is not an unknown material and it has been found in other locations on previous occasions.

"There's no information to indicate there is cause of concern (regarding threats).

"One of the things we are trying to work out is exactly what it was intended for and we don't know that yet. And that is the reason we are asking for the public's help."

Questioned by the opposition in parliament about the risk to the public during the operation to move the original cache of TATP from the city to Gloucester Park, Premier Colin Barnett said he would not disclose details of confidential briefings.

``This is an extremely serious situation. But it is confidential and you are not to use it politically,'' Mr Barnett said.

Second 'object' discovered

POLICE are investigating the discovery of a second "object" found in the Leschenault Estuary, near where a haul of volatile TATP chemical explosives were found on Tuesday.

Police divers made the discovery while sweeping the estuary this morning.

Meanwhile, Federal authorities have been drafted in to help investigate the first discovery of a large haul of chemical explosive in the estuary, which has been confirmed to be the highly-volatile TATP - also known as "Mother of Satan".

A large haul of TATP - the substance used in the London terrorist bombings in 2007 - had to be destroyed by bomb squad officers at Gloucester Park in the Perth CBD early yesterday.

Counter terrorism officers joined a major task force to investigate the origin of the chemical explosives which were hidden in water near Australind, 165km south of Perth.

Senior police say nothing is being ruled out in determining what the explosives could have been used for, including a terrorist attack.

State Crime Commander Scott Higgins says federal police are helping to try and trace the origin of the large haul.

"We are treating it as TATP," Commander Higgins told ABC radio. "We had enough to cause real damage to people and property. The amount we had was very dangerous."

Bunbury Councillor Brendan Kelly said the community was shocked to hear about the discovery of explosives in a popular recreational area.

"There's a lot of curiosity amongst the local folk. They are as curious about getting to the bottom of it as anybody," Mr Kelly said.

"It is quite serious because the substance isn't a benign substance and the area that the package was found is a community area.

"People walk down that way, they walk along the jetty. It's not as if it was found out in the middle of nowhere.

"The community is waiting to see what the outcome is. It's something you would read about on the international news, not sleepy old greater Bunbury."

Police have also set up an information van at the Australind jetty where the substance was found and called on the public to come forward with any information.

Acting Commander Higgins said the amount of chemicals discovered was enough to cause "real damage to people and property."

"We're trying to work out a number of different aspects of this. Where did it come from, who made it, why was it there and what was the purpose of the material?

"We're asking for information that the public may have, no matter how potentially insignificant.

"Someone may have seen someone, noticed people purchasing different types of chemicals, or glassware or unusual smells. Or people might have been at the jetty and seen someone doing something unusual around that area."

Acting Commander Higgins said police were investigating all possible motives for the production of the explosive substance, including the most "sinister and dangerous".

"It's important that we look at all possible avenues from where this came from. We don't want people closing their minds down to one particular reason why it was there," he said.

"From people doing this for a prank, through to really serious criminal offences."

Premier Colin Barnett said while the discovery was disturbing, it was also being handled well.

"It is a serious situation that is being handled by the WA police and federal authorities," Mr Barnett said.

"However there is no reason for concern for the wider community. The police are in control of it and there is a detailed investigation taking place."

The drama began late on Tuesday when a member of the public found the haul near a groyne in the estuary near Bunbury.

Police were called, and after initially believing the chemicals were drug-making ingredients, transported them from the southwest to Perth.

But after realising their error, a major operation was launched. In five separate trips, the chemicals were delicately driven from police headquarters to the Gloucester Park racetrack where they were buried and detonated.

State security officers, chemical experts and major crime squad personnel will probe the case at state command centre premises last used during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2011.

TATP is a crystalline explosive which can be manufactured from household ingredients.

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Trapped workers freed from BHP mine

Nine workers are trapped in a BHP Billiton mine in Leinster. Source: AFP

NINE mine workers trapped in an underground mine in central Western Australia have been bought to the surface safely, the operator BHP Billiton says.

Nine fitters had to go to a refuge chamber within the company's Perseverance underground nickel mine at Leinster after a 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck the northern goldfields region this morning.

"This is standard safety procedure during an event such as this,'' BHP Billiton said in a statement.

Just before 4pm (WST), the company said the fitters had all been returned to the surface.

No one was injured during the seismic event.

The fitters had access to water and communications while in the refuge chamber for nine hours.

The mine will remain closed until it is declared safe by inspectors.

Mines Minister Bill Marmion earlier told the WA parliament that the site operators successfully ran an unmanned cage through the shaft to confirm the stability.

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This century Australia's for the taking

One of the ambitions of the Lowy Institute is to amplify Australian voices on the world stage, and no Australian businessman has had more success on that world stage than Rupert Murdoch.

THE 21st century is Australia's for the taking. Australians are a naturally competitive people. Maybe it's because of where Australia sits geographically. Whatever the reason, Australians are curious about the world - and the great Australian diaspora proves we have never been shy about taking it on.

That is a testament to our competitive streak. You see it in our sport and hear it in our everyday language: "Have a go, mate."

Don't look for entitlements, have a go!

This should be the spirit of the 21st-century global economy. And Australia is well suited by character and culture to be a great success in it.

For Australia is on the cusp of becoming something rare and valuable in this new world: an egalitarian meritocracy, with more than a touch of libertarianism. But we can't wait for later. In the past few years, we have all seen how advances in communications and travel have eliminated the tyranny of distance. The same might be said for size.

Think about Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. These are all small places, and hardly blessed with natural resources. Yet they have carved out a competitive position in the world because of their free, open and dynamic economies.

Australia can and should do better than all of them. Three factors will make the global Australian even more competitive in the world ahead.

First, Australian values. Some people say we need to abandon Australian values. The truth is if we want to lead rather than follow, we need to promote Australia's values and strengthen the institutions that sustain them.

Second, immigration. Having a diverse immigrant population is a precious resource as we engage the world.

Rupert Murdoch delivers the 2013 Lowy Lecture at the Sydney Town Hall / Picture: James Croucher Source: News Limited

Finally, disruption. One of the few certainties we can have is that the 21st century will be a century of disruption. Australia must be the economy that thrives on disruption. Primarily we will do this through the key drivers of prosperity: trade, technology, and free markets.

If we do these things, I promise you this: Australia will do more than prosper. Australia will lead.

Australia had a long history before it became a British colony. But that colonisation resulted in class pretensions that have lasted a long time. These pretensions include not only the stuffy, narrow-minded elitism that still exists in some small quarters of society, but more recently, the faux class war that has been stirred by contemporary politicians grasping for an election theme.

Thankfully, Australia has emerged from its inauspicious colonial beginnings to become a proud nation - a nation that overcame those primeval prejudices. We have a perfect example: Many of you will remember when a Catholic was rare in a Liberal Cabinet. Those days are now behind us. And Prime Minister Tony Abbott is part of the proof.

The heart of Australia today is our belief in a fair shake for all - no man or woman is above any other.

We applaud achievement and innovation. We want people to strive, to make the most of their talent and not to be content with their lot. That is the essence of an egalitarian meritocracy.

That's an appealing message, and a competitive edge in a competitive world. If we wish to continue to punch above our weight, we must cultivate the values and institutions that sustain this ethos; our churches and our social organisations.

The values that define Australia depend on more than good government and strong allies. They depend on sound and vigorous institutions - especially private institutions.

You can't have the rule of law if the courts aren't free and independent - or if you have lawyers running amok as they do in the American system. We cannot allow the rule of law to become the rule of lawyers!

You can't have a free democracy if you don't have a free media that can provide vital and independent information to the people.

You can't have a competitive, egalitarian meritocracy if only some of your citizens have the opportunity for a good education. In a world as competitive as ours, the child who does not get a decent education is condemned to the fringes of society.

In the decades since World War Two, Australia has gone through many changes. But for all this progress, there is still a strand among some who seem to value every culture except our own. These people are gravely confused about what real multiculturalism is.

Rupert Murdoch delivers the 2013 Lowy Lecture at the Sydney Town Hall / Picture: James Croucher Source: News Limited

Multiculturalism is not relativism, and tolerance is not indifference. Australia has clear values and strong institutions. One key value is an openness to all comers - provided they are willing to abide by our way of life. The result is a great model for the world - a prosperous, multicultural society of people living together in peace and freedom.

The nations that lead this century will be the ones most successful at attracting and keeping talent. We need to get the brightest of them here. That is how we will strengthen our human capital. Australia is on its way to becoming what may be the world's most diverse nation. This is an incredible competitive advantage.

Which brings me to my last point: Australia must be the world's disruptive economy. The economist Schumpeter once described the process of "creative destruction" as essential to capitalism. The current fashionable word to capture that sense of creative chaos is "disruption."

I guess some would say that I have been a disruptive influence at times. I will take that as a compliment, even if it wasn't intended that way.

When I think of the newspaper industry today, and the transition that has taken place from Gutenberg to Google, I know the status quo is being disrupted yet again.

Perhaps the most revolutionary disruption in the last decade has been the stunning growth of mobile communications. For a company like News Corp, that disruption has actually been a shot of adrenalin. Now, each and everyone of us can have our news and information when and where we want it.

That is a huge leap for an industry that once had to rely on trucks and news agents alone to deliver news.

The same opportunity for global growth is there for Australia, if we can make ourselves more nimble.

While the lack of a huge domestic market presents challenges, it also means we have fewer huge industries demanding the government protections common in large industrial nations - and fatal for any society that hopes to advance in a disruptive world. And it means we are always forced to think outside the box.

The disruptive forces in the world economy today are as relentless as they are remorseless. But once we embrace that reality, we can make sure they are rewarding.

It is the Australian people who will, collectively, define this nation's destiny.

We must be leaders, not followers. We must be egalitarian, not elitist. We must be victors, not victims.

It won't be easy.

But the Australia that I know and love has never shied from a challenge.

This is an edited version of the speech given Thursday night to the Lowy Institute by Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp.

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Male beauty salon worker guilty of sex assault

A male beauty salon worker has been found guilty of sexual assault. Source: News Limited

A male beauty salon worker has been convicted of seven counts of sexual penetration without consent after he touched clients' vaginas during hair removal treatment. But Don Chaminda Prabath Subasinghe, 43, was found not guilty of seven other counts of the same charge in the West Australian District Court today.

The jury had deliberated for 11 hours after a nine-day trial. The offences occurred at the Cut N Curl Beauty Salon in the southern suburb of Canning Vale in late 2010 and early 2011. Subasinghe was performing the "Brazilian" treatment known as IPL when he committed the offences.

During the trial, the court heard all of the women did not immediately complain and most were contacted by police after two initial complaints.

But Judge Stephen George Scott told the jury there could be good reasons for a delayed complaint.

One of the women had said she "just wanted to forget it" and another thought Subasinghe's digital penetration was an accident. Another said she "felt like an idiot" because she let him continue and didn't want her boyfriend to know.

Defence lawyer Tom Percy told the jury that none of the women had told Subasinghe to stop or looked distressed when they left the salon.

And Mr Percy said it beggared belief that, while they claimed to have felt uncomfortable, some of the women made further appointments.

Subasinghe was granted bail, subject to conditions including a surety of $20,000, daily reporting to police and that he not leave WA or come within 100m of a point of departure.

The state had opposed bail, but Mr Percy argued Subasinghe was not a flight risk because he had a family and had surrendered his passport, and had medical issues.

He will be sentenced on December 19.

"The only appropriate sentence would be a term of immediate imprisonment," Judge Scott said. ###

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Australia's most haunted places

By day, the Monte Cristo homestead at Junee looks like any other grand manor. Source: Supplied

By night, it's Australia's most haunted house. Spooky. Source: Supplied

REGINALD Ryan and his wife Olive had just moved into a beautiful homestead in Junee, NSW, when they drove downtown for supplies one foggy night in 1963.

When they turned up their driveway on the return trip, a brilliant fierce light was streaming out of every door and window of the house.

They thought they were being burgled, but as they drove cautiously closer to the house, the lights suddenly switched off and the house was again lost in the ghostly fog and darkness.

The Ryans had no idea the Monte Cristo homestead was the country's most haunted home. And it doesn't seem to have fazed them - they still live there.

Reginald's nephew and his wife once visited Monte Cristo and were looking for the loo late one night. A young woman dressed in white appeared before them, whispered "Don't worry, it will be all right" and vanished.

Olive once found dead and mutilated cats in the kitchen. Visiting children inexplicably throw tantrums around the staircase, where a child once died. There are phantom footsteps, strange apparitions and haunting noises.

It's little wonder the home's ghost tours are booked out months in advance.

But Monte Cristo isn't the only haunted place in the country, of course. Here are seven more of our spookiest.

STUDLEY PARK HOUSE, NSW

The eerie house at dusk. Source: News Limited

On October 15, 1909, in the grounds of the then Camden Grammar School, 14-year-old Ray Blackstone drowned in the dam after failed rescue attempts by his school mates, ancestry.com.au tells us.

His body was placed in the cold, dark cellar of the school until his burial.

Three decades later, while living in the transformed school house, 13-year-old Noel William Gregory - son of Twentieth Century Fox sales manager Arthur Adolphus Gregory, died from appendicitis.

It's believed that the spirits of both boys play together and remain in the house as a constant reminder of their tragic lives.

REDBANK RANGE TUNNEL, NSW

The disused tunnel is said to be haunted by a death that occurred in 1914. Source: News Limited

Emily Bollard entered a railway tunnel at Picton (no longer in use) and met the oncoming train. It didn't end well.

Emily's ghost is said to wander the tunnel.

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE, ACT

The National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra. Fine by day, but would you wander around at night? Source: Supplied

In its current incarnation, this grand art deco building in Canberra is a living archive of important images and sounds deemed worthy of preservation.

But until 1984, it operated as the Australian Institute of Anatomy, where notable body parts were kept and collected.

Some people believe the spectres of the dead haunt the hallways.

The downstairs corridor, which once housed hundreds of human skulls, is said to be a hive of poltergeist activity.

And a contractor claims to have been pinned against a wall in the basement by an unexplained presence.

BOGGO ROAD JAIL, QLD

The Boggo Road Jail, in Brisbane's inner-south, has a checkered history of violence. Source: News Limited

It's one the country's most infamous prisons - known for tough inmates and even tougher wardens.

Boggo Rd was a place of execution until 1913, and held some of Australia's most dangerous men and women including the Whiskey Au-Go-Go firebombers James Finch and Andrew Stuart, and the only woman hanged in Queensland, Ellen Thomson.

Given its long history of rooftop riots, executions and fatal overcrowding, Boggo understandably has a ghostly folklore surrounding it.

No longer running as a prison, the historic site is now open to ghost tours.

FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE, WA

A bustling cultural hub today. A lunatic asylum in the past. Source: Flickr

Before this 150-year-old building was Fremantle's home of live music and weekend crafternoons, it was the local insane asylum.

It's believed to be one of the southern hemisphere's most active haunted places.

Visitors have reported all the spooky hallmarks of a haunted house: cold spots, ghostly touches, apparitions, moving lights and generally strange feelings.

Ghost hunters investigated it recently and heard creepy voices saying creepy things like "Those are chains" and "It's not cold". CREEPY.

PORT ARTHUR, TAS

Ghost tours operate at Port Arthur. Source: Supplied

Hundreds of men died during Port Arthur's first decades as a convict settlement, and many people believe those lost souls have hung around.

Tour guides show interested rubber-neckers around the spooky historic town, convinced that the wall separating the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest in Port Arthur.

Some of the local accommodation houses even have an "Unusual Occurrence Form" that guests can fill out when they've seen something ghostly.

Recurring visions include the Lady in Blue - apparently the weeping spectre of a young woman who died in childbirth.

More than 2000 apparitions have been lodged in the past two decades.

PRINCESS THEATRE, VIC

The grand old dame of Melbourne's theatre scene in 1908. Source: Flickr

In March 1888, the baritone Frederick Federici was performing a scene from Faust when he had a sudden heart attack and died.

It's said his phantom still haunts the opera, and for many years a seat was reserved for him in the third row of the dress circle. Touching. But creepy.

Got any ghost stories or haunted haunts? Tell us everything about it in the comments below or continue the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ

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Arrested Aussies face death penalty

Facing death penalty ... Two Australians arrested at Hanoi's Tan Son Nhat International Airport for illegally trafficking 11 packs (3.5kg) of heroin. Picture: VNS Source: Supplied

VIETNAM has arrested two Australian citizens for heroin smuggling, police said today, a crime punishable by death in the communist state.

The pair, who have not been named, were caught with 3.5 kilograms of heroin in hidden compartments in their luggage at Ho Chi Minh City airport, a policeman with the anti-drug squad told AFP.

Further details about the suspects arrested in Vietnam, aged 31 and 24, have not been released.

EIGHT ARRESTED FOR PART IN GLOBAL HEROIN SYNDICATE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLICE SMASH VIETNAM DRUG IMPORT RING

The heroin was hidden in 11 packages which had been treated to avoid detection by sniffer dogs, the state-run Thanh Nien newspaper reported.

The Australian embassy in Hanoi did not respond to a request for comment.

Vietnam takes a hard line on drugs and anyone found guilty of attempting to smuggle more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine can face the death penalty.

LIST OF AUSTRALIANS IMPRISONED, EXECUTED OVERSEAS

Convictions and sentences are revealed only by local media which is strictly under state control.

Foreigners frequently fall foul of the nation's stiff drug laws.

In August this year, a Thai woman was sentenced to death for smuggling two kilos of cocaine.

The same week, a 31-year-old Nigerian man was sentenced to death for smuggling 3.4 kilos of methamphetamine from Qatar.

Vietnamese authorities have seized more than 24 kilos of drugs at Ho Chi Minh City airport this year, the Thanh Nien daily said.

On Sunday, a 26-year-old Chinese woman, identified as Li Chunying, was arrested with 2.2 kilos of methamphetamine.

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Powder-like explosives in SW estuary

Police are conducting a clearance operation in the Leschenault Estuary. Picture: Courtesy Beau Pearson / ABC
  Source: PerthNow

A MAJOR police investigation is under way after the discovery of "potentially explosive material" in a river in WA's South-West.

The material, a "powder like substance" , was detonated at Gloucester Park this morning after it was initially brought to one of Perth's major police stations, Curtin House.

At a press conference this afternoon, police said the potentially explosive material was found yesterday underwater in the Leschenault Estuary in Australind, about 156km south of Perth.

Media reports emerged tonight that the material is a substance known as TATP, a substance used by terrorists in the 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 innocent people.

TATP can look similar to methamphetamine because it is a white power substance.

Although police have declined to say exactly how much of the material was found, it's understood several kilos of the substance was located in the water

Police divers are still at the scene conducting a "clearance operation" to make sure the river is safe.

Acting Commander Scott Higgins said this afternoon he could not say exactly what the material, which was found by a member of the public yesterday, was.

"We can't confirm exactly what the material is apart .... to say that it is a hazardous and potentially explosive material," Act-Cmd Higgins said.

"The material can be explosive … it's very concerning and that's exactly why we put in as much effort into making sure it was disposed of safely."

Currently, nobody is in custody over the find but Act-Cmd Higgins said members of the public who have any information about the material should come forward.

When asked how concerned the public should be about the discovery, he said: "There is nothing to indicate the public should have any cause for concern at the moment."

Act-Cmd Higgins said numerous police units including the bomb squad and the Major Crime Squad were investigating where the material came from and how it ended up in the river.

Police perform a controlled blast on dangerous chemicals in the middle of Gloucester Park trotting track. Picture: Tracy Vo, Channel Nine.

Reports also emerged this evening that both Premier Colin Barnett and Police Minister Liza Harvey have been briefed on the matter.

This morning, police bomb experts were called in to detonate the material at Gloucester Park because of fears it could have exploded at Curtin House.

Roads were closed while police transported it from the city to Gloucester Park, where it was detonated in a series of small explosions.

Police used the Tactical Response Group "Bearcat'' - an armour-plated vehicle - to move it there.

After an analysis by ChemCentre, WA Police, St John Ambulance and the Department of Fire and Emergency mounted an operation to move the chemicals and destroy them.

"After discussions with other key partners it was deemed necessary to remove the chemicals in a render safe operation, as a precaution due to their volatility," a police spokeswoman said this morning.

"Throughout the operation public safety was police's first priority which is why roads were closed and nearby buildings evacuated."

The Public Transport Authority diverted buses around Curtin House as a precaution, and drivers have been asked to avoid Beaufort, Newcastle, Lord and Royal Streets.

Act-Cmd Higgins said earlier today police would review the way they handle seized chemicals in light of the incident.

He said it was not unusual for police to bring chemicals back to Curtin House, but they would review their procedures anyway.

It's understood police became concerned about the substance last night about 8pm when someone noticed an unusual smell. About a dozen staff were evacuated from the building.

"Police took advice from ChemCentre. Based on what they could see, it was something we shouldn't be treating the way we had been treating it," Act-Cmd Higgins said at an earlier press conference this morning.

"They are volatile (chemicals) - it could have been anything from a fire or worse. We just don't know.

"We're going to look at whether the procedures were followed and look at whether the procedures we have in place are appropriate."

"Because of the potential volatile nature of those materials, they have decided to use the bomb squad to detonate those materials at Gloucester Park. This is pretty rare."

More than 20 police officers were involved in this morning's operation.

Firefighters inspect the centre of Gloucester Park after the police bomb disposal squad carried out a series of controlled blasts of dangerous drug chemicals. Picture: Ashlee Mullany

Police used the  armour plated TRG  "Bearcat" to transport the dangerous chemicals from Curtin House to Gloucester Park.

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Accused killer in 'foul mood' before 1992 death

The husband of an alcoholic woman whose skeletal remains were found almost 20 years after her death has told court the man accused of killing her was in a 'foul mood' the night before she disappeared.

Ronald Pennington, 84, who on trial for the manslaughter of Perth woman Cariad Anderson-Slater, 41, in Perth, in July 1992. Source: News Limited

THE husband of an alcoholic woman whose skeletal remains were found almost 20 years after her death has told court the man accused of killing her was in a ``foul mood'' the night before she disappeared.

Ronald Leslie Pennington, 84, is on trial in the WA Supreme Court for the July 1992 manslaughter of Cariad Anderson-Slater, whose remains were found in his former backyard in February 2011.

Her husband, David Slater, who was a suspect during the original police investigation, described Ms Anderson-Slater as intelligent, vibrant and fun - except when she was drinking.

"It was something that I learned to live with,'' he said today.

Prosecutor Sean O'Sullivan asked Mr Slater: ``Did you kill your then wife, Cariad?''

Mr Slater replied: ``I did not.''

He also denied contributing to her death in any way and denied burying her at Pennington's property.

Mr Slater testified that Pennington was in a "foul mood'' when the couple had dinner at his house the night before she disappeared.

He said when they returned home about 9pm, Ms Anderson-Slater was determined to drink and was irritable, so he went to bed.

When he got up shortly afterwards, he found her drinking at a neighbour's house, so he drove off and returned after 1am, which was the last time he saw her.

Mr Slater said he did not want to aggravate the situation so he went to bed.

While it was common for Ms Anderson-Slater, 41, to disappear for a few days, Mr Slater became concerned when she did not return home and asked Pennington if he had seen her, which he denied.

But, after Mr Slater's neighbour said Ms Anderson-Slater had called Pennington and was going to visit him, Mr Slater confronted Pennington who admitted she called but said he did not see her.

"I had no reason to argue with him. I trusted him,'' Mr Slater said.

He reported his wife missing to police on July 16 and testified that he waited a few days because he did not want to seem like the boy who cried wolf.

Mr Slater admitted he was lonely and sought female companionship about a week later and tore up wedding photos in anger.

He also told the court he changed his will and indicated he was a widower because he ``felt very vulnerable'' and wanted to ensure his assets went to his children if he died.

Mr Slater said Pennington was a supportive friend and told him he hoped police would find her.

Mr Slater moved to Queensland about two years later, before moving to New Zealand.

"It was a very harrowing time, so I just wanted to get out of Perth,'' he said.

Under cross-examination, Mr Slater denied ever being physical with his wife, insisting he did not like confrontation and would leave her alone when she drank too much.

"I wasn't aggressive, I just reasoned with her as best I could,'' he said.

The trial continues.

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Gold Plate awards dish up a surprise

1907 picked up major gongs at the 2013 Gold Plate Awards. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

1907 restaurant set the trend for a night of surprises when it took out not only the fine dining category of the Gold Plate 2013 awards but the Premiers' Prize for best overall finalist at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.

Other left-field honours came with little known restaurants receiving recognition of the highest sort.

The trainee restaurant for Challenger's Institute of Technology, Quinlan's on High, found itself among heavy hitters such as Friends, Mosmans and Ishka, along with the KIng & I, and Masala, when they were awarded the Prix D'Honneurs for being nominated for a Gold Plate three years in a row.

The complete list of winners is below: Do you agree with the judges?

Celebrations are still in full swing on Queen Street where 1907 staff took away three awards from Australia's most prestigious hospitality ceremony which acknowledges outstanding quality and service provided by West Australian restaurants.

The normally quietly spoken venue manager at 1907, Harold Faizal, was thrilled to win the Bill Thompson Award for Excellence:

"I am honoured to be awarded for my skills in such a competitive industry," he said.

"Hospitality is something I am truly passionate about and working at 1907 has given me the opportunity to harness this passion and strive to build a successful business."

The awards top off another gong received last month when Dimmi, the online booking system, announced the venue as Australia's number one restaurant in their top 50 list across the country.

The winners of the 2013 Gold Plate are as follows:

Prix D'Honneurs
Dear Friends Garden Restaurant - Caversham
Mosmans - Mosman Park
Quinlans Restaurant – Challenger Institute of Technology - Beaconsfield
King & I - Guildford
Ishka Restaurant (The Breakwater) - Hillarys
Masala - Clarkson

Fine Dining
1907 Restaurant & Cocktail Bar - Perth

Licensed dining
The Trustee Bar and Bistro - Perth

Licensed Dining - Regional
The Studio Bistro - Yallingup

Licensed Casual Dining
Matilda Bay Restaurant - Crawley

Licensed Casual Dining - Regional
Mojo's Restaurant - Bunbury

Restaurant within a Tavern Country/City/Metro
The Royal - East Perth

Restaurant within Winery Perth/Surrounds (Dual Winners)
Sandalford Winery - Caversham
Riverbank Estate Winery Restaurant - Caversham

Mediterranean Casual Dining
Zephyr Mediterranean Cuisine - Marmion

Licensed Chinese 
Dragon Palace - Woodside Plaza

Licensed Thai 
Itsara - Nedlands

Licensed Indian
Punjab Indian Restaurant - Innaloo

Licensed Asian 
Joe's Oriental Diner - Hyatt Regency Perth - East Perth

Unlicensed Asian
Thai Orchid - Mount Lawley

Seafood Dining
Red Cray - Seafood Bar and Grill Mount Lawley

Licensed Cafe - City/Metro Licensed
Azure Cafe at the Mezz - Mt Hawthorn

Licensed Café - Regional
Zanders at Cable Beach - Cable Beach

Coffee Shop
Il Cibo - Fremantle

Family Dining
Roley's on the Ridge - Roleystone

Steakhouse
Rockpool Bar & Grill - Crown Perth

Buffet
Atrium Buffet - Crown Perth

Buffet Asian
Koh-I-Noor - Padbury

Breakfast
The Witch's Cauldron - Subiaco

Small Bar 
Rustico Tapas Bar - Rockingham

New Restaurant
The Trustee Bar and Bistro - Perth

Tourism Restaurant City/Metro
Chesters - Henley Brook

Tourism Restaurant - Regional
Selene Brasserie at Pinctada Cable Beach - Broome

Restaurant with in a Training Establishment
Bentley Pines Restaurant - Polytechnic West - Bentley

The CIA Gold Plate Venue Caterers Award
The University Club of Western Australia - Crawley

Excellence in Health Award
Atrium - Crown Perth

Wine List of the Year
Rockpool Bar & Grill - Crown Perth

WA Fresh Produce Award
The Co-Op Dining - East Perth

Premiers Award
1907 Restaurant & Cocktail Bar - Perth

Bill Thompson Award
Harold Faizal - 1907 Restaurant & Bar
 

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Fitzroy sweating through hot spell

Fitzroy Crossing has been sweating through a record long hot spell. Photo: Jody D'Arcy Source: PerthNow

THE Kimberley town of Fitzroy Crossing is sweltering under its longest hot spell since temperature records started in 1997.

For the past 29 days residents in the community, 400km east of Broome, have had to deal with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.

Are you there? Send your pics to readerpics@perthnow.com.au

Resident Belinda Bonfield, 31, said it took two years to adjust to the heat after moving to the Kimberley town from the Sunshine Coast in 2005.

"It still knocks you out at the start of the hot season, you're body adjusting back into the heat but that first year it's an initial shock to the body," Ms Bonfield,  who works as an area manager for the Shire of Derby said.

Climatologist John Relf said with high temperatures forecast for tomorrow and Thursday, Fitzroy Crossing would have its hottest October on record ever with an average maximum temperature of 42 degrees centigrade.

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WA journalist joins 6PR mornings

Gary Adshead will be joining 6PR as their new morning presenter. Source: PerthNow

WA journalist Gary Adshead will be joining 6PR as the station's new morning presenter.

Adshead will replace morning host Paul Murray, who is being moved to the drive shift.

The move comes after Murray recorded the station's lowest ratings in the 9am-noon slot for at least five years.

6PR general manager Martin Boylen said Adshead, currently an award-winning investigative reporter with The West Australian, has the right combination of credibility and experience for the role.

"Gary's varied background in TV, radio and newspapers gives him a massive head start when it comes to dealing with the issues and personalities that make news in Perth," Boylen said.

"I am confident he'll make a real impact when he starts on-air.

"Paul indicated to us some time ago he'd prefer a change of shift for lifestyle reasons and we were very happy for him to continue as part of the team in the drive slot."

6PR will soon announce further line-up details for 2014.

PerthNow understands the station is negotiating with Basil Zempilas to co-host 6PR breakfast with existing presenter Steve Mills.

The pair are believed to have already had a meeting together with 6PR management.

Adshead will continue to do some work for Seven West Media, but his precise role there is yet to be decided.
 

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Woman bitten by shark near Exmouth

A 60-year-old woman will be flown to Perth for surgery on her arm after a shark attack near Exmouth.

WESTERN Australia will have its first shark-proof fence this summer, after the State Government approved the construction of an underwater barrier in Dunsborough.

A woman is being flown to Perth after being bitten by a shark near Exmouth. File image Source: Supplied

A 60-YEAR-OLD woman will have surgery on her arm after a black tip reef shark attacked her near Exmouth.

The woman was bitten on the right arm at Turquoise Bay in Cape Range National Park, about 60km south of Exmouth. 

A Royal Flying Doctor Service spokeswoman said they received the call about 4pm today and were sending a night crew to transport the woman to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.

It is expected she will need surgery.

A WA Health spokeswoman said the woman presented at Exmouth Hospital with the shark bite this afternoon and is in a stable condition.

WA Police said they were not needed for a search and rescue operation.

The Department of Fisheries said the woman was snorkelling 40m offshore when the shark bit her arm.

A spokeswoman said it seemed the bite had caused nerve damage to the victim's arm.

The track down to Turquoise Bay has been closed until Water Police and Department of Fisheries assess the waters in the morning.

The attack is the third one recorded this month.

A man had his flipper shredded by a shark on Saturday at Hillarys.

While diver Greg Pickering survived his second shark attack in 10 years after he was bitten on the face on October 9 at a beach about 180km east of Esperance.
 

Turquoise Bay is renowned for its pristine beach and is popular for snorkelling.
 

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The most enviable office view in Perth

Creative director of Open House Perth, Carly Barrett, photographed on level 45 of the BHP building. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

The 360-degree panorama taken from the top of the BHP building. Picture: Marianne Annereau / businessphotos.com.au Source: Supplied

IT'S the most enviable office view in Perth. West Australians will have the chance to gawk at the CBD from 45 floors above thanks to Open House Perth next weekend.

BHP Billiton Brookfield Place is one of the 35 new destinations adding to the event's line up this year.

Open House gives the public a chance to go inside some of the city's landmark structures free of charge.

More than 60 corporate offices, government centres and residential spaces will be made available to visitors.

Stunning Interactive: Zoom in and move around to see the view

Open House Perth founder Carly Barrett, 33, said people will get a sneak peek of the city's most coveted design and architectural spaces for the event, now in its second year.

Last year 50,000 West Australians took part.

"The biggest challenge I feel is how do we follow up when we've had such an unprecedented success and give people something that's new," Ms Barrett said.

Other new landmarks in this year's program are the WA Ballet Centre and the Old Treasury buildings.

Mt Eliza Apartments, considered the city's first modern apartment block, is also open for viewing. "That's the main thing we try to do with the event, is give people access to spaces they wouldn't normally get a chance to see," Ms Barrett said.

"They love their city, they want to know more about it and they want to share it with friends and family and perfect strangers.

"(These buildings are) the type of things that when people go to another city they're like, 'I wish there was more of that in Perth'. We've uncovered the kind of places that you see outside of Perth, in Perth."

For more information openhouseperth.net

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No taker yet for $30m lottery ticket

The person who has won $30 million in Powerball is yet to come forward. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THE champagne is still on ice at Lotterywest headquarters in Perth, as the identity of the state's $30 million Powerball winner remains a mystery.

One lucky entrant picked up the entire $30 million division one prize pool last Thursday night, equalling the largest lottery prize ever won in the state.

The only details released by Lotterywest is that the winning ticket was sold in Perth's northern suburbs.

But despite the size of the prize, no winning ticket holder has come forward to claim the massive prize, although he or she has 12 months from the date of the draw to bring in the winning ticket.

The win is the latest in an amazing run of luck for lottery players in the state in 2013.

In February, the state recorded a $20 million win, followed by a $10 million win in May, another $20 million win in August, followed by the $30 million jackpot last week.

About 70 WA players have collected a division one lottery prize in 2013.

And WA players will have another chance to win big this weekend, when $22 million goes on offer in Saturday's Gold Lotto Superdraw.

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Kimberley hype 'long needed'

Lonley Planet has named the Kimberley as the second best region in the world to visit. Pictured are Kimberley boabs, only found in the region. Picture: Ken Duncan Source: Supplied

LONELY Planet's listing of the Kimberley a must-see for 2014 is the "shot in the arm" that the region has long needed, according to tourism leaders.

This morning the travel bible announced its top 10 destinations for next year.

Sitting at number two, behind Sikkim, India is WA's own Kimberley region.

Tourism Council of WA chief executive Evan Hall said the listing was "absolutely brilliant."

"It's the shot in the arm that tourism in that region needed," he said. "It just confirms we've got really amazing places."

Mr Hall said the listing would open the Kimberley to people seeking out an adventure, hopefully boosting tourism in the rest of WA.

"It's worth travelling a continent, it's worth travelling from Perth to see," he said.

"You're not travelling for a weekend, you're travelling for an experience and I would expect a flow on for the rest of WA because of the distance they (tourists) have to travel to get there."

Best of the Kimberley travel agency owner Rosemary McGuigan said Lonely Planet's recommendation was a vital boost for the region.

She said in the last 18 months she felt the Kimberley had been a victim of the high Australian dollar and other economic pressures, limiting the number of tourists.

"I'm hoping this will see a lot more enquiries," Ms McGuigan said.

"Lonely Planet is such a strong brand that, if Lonely Planet says it's the second best in the world, you have to visit."

Ms McGuigan said the region's isolation and lack of development made it special.

"The Bungle Bungles are just magical and the coastal region is an incredible destination, it's breathtaking in its beauty," she said.

"The Kimberley puts your life in perspective, it's such a remote place you just sit back and go 'wow – this is amazing'."
 

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Bali Nine courier's double murder plot

Convicted drug trafficker Renae Lawrence, a member of the Bali Nine, pictured in her cell at Kerobokan Prison, Bali in 2010. Source: Supplied

BALI Nine drug courier Renae Lawrence is accused of ordering a hit on two female prison guards.

The alleged plot came to light when mobile phones belonging to Lawrence and another female prisoner were found during an unrelated raid of the women's block in Bali's Kerobokan Jail on Thursday.

The jail's governor Gusti Ngurah Wiratna told AAP that evidence was found on the phones of Lawrence and alleged accomplice Joaninha Maria Sonia Gonzalex, known as "Black Sonia''.

"She (Lawrence) was discovered to be plotting the murder of two female guards,'' he said.

"In her phone was a message in which she ordered Sonia to eliminate the female guards.

"We found a knife in her cell.''

An earlier exclusive story by the Daily Telegraph said Lawrence was plotting to murder one female guard she "hated''.

The governor said they were still investigating the motive.

"At first she (Lawrence) denied it, but after we showed her the evidence in her phone, she couldn't deny it.''

Gonzales is an East Timorese inmate charged with kidnapping a baby from a French family in Bali.

Lawrence is serving 20 years for her part in a 2005 plot to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin from Bali to Australia.

She recently had six months of her sentence pardoned for good behaviour, but that is expected to be cancelled.

She has reportedly been moved to a jail in Jembrana, West Bali.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told AAP consular officials in Bali will be meeting Indonesian authorities to discuss Lawrence.

###

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WA fire trucks lack safety gear

Firefighters face two more bushfire seasons without life-saving gear. Source: PerthNow

Wendy Bearfoot, a volunteer firefighter who died while fighting a bushfire in WA's South-West. Source: PerthNow

WA firefighters will confront major blazes this summer in vehicles lacking vital safety equipment common in other states one year after the death of a firefighter exposed WA as "significantly out of step" with the rest of Australia.

The Sunday Times has confirmed that none of 667 vehicles that will operate in "high to extreme" risk areas this bushfire season has been fitted with in-cab breathing, water spray protection or advanced GPS systems.

Just 11 per cent or 71 vehicles have been fitted with heat shields.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis has admitted the Government has not yet even decided on a manufacturer for the in-cab breathing, water spray protection and advanced GPS systems.

The best he could do was say the tender process was expected to be finished by June.

This means WA firefighters could go into at least two more bushfire seasons without the lifesaving devices.

An official report into the death of firefighter Wendy Bearfoot during an Albany blaze last October found WA was failing to protect firefighters.

"South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and NSW all place far higher priority on vehicle protection ... and have done so for years," the report, released early last month, said.

"This lack of action in WA is not a result of ignorance. Agencies have been aware of developments in other jurisdictions."

Mrs Bearfoot, a mother of three, suffered horrific burns when her truck was engulfed in flames while she was fighting the October 12 blaze. She died three weeks later.

The report said every vehicle expected to enter a fire ground should as "minimum protection" have heat shield panels that can retard fire which other states began rolling out 15 years ago.

Authorities said the shields, which can be used internally or externally, protected crews from death or injury during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires that engulfed parts of Victoria.

Following the report, Worksafe called for vehicle upgrades.

Opposition emergency services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk said more WA firefighters could die before our vehicles met national standards.

"It is an absolute disgrace that WA firefighters do not have the same protection as their colleagues in other states," she said.

"The fact that Worksafe issued improvement notices on the vehicles after (Mrs Bearfoot's death) and the increasingly unpredictable bushfire behaviour suggests (the vehicles) are potential death traps."

Three weeks before this year's March 9 state election, the Barnett Government said it would improve protection for firefighters by rolling out the safety features in vehicles in a $15 million promise "designed to save their lives" and "increase chances of survival".

"These new crew protection systems are proven to save lives and we must provide the best protection for the volunteer and career firefighters who fight dangerous bushfires across WA," then emergency services minister Troy Buswell said.

Mr Francis denied the Government was failing to deliver on its promise.

"Under existing contracts, 71 high-risk appliances have been installed with radiant heat shields and this process is continuing on a rolling basis over the next two years with priority given to vehicles in high-risk areas," he said.

Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades of WA vice-president Dave Gossage said it was pathetic that "red tape" was compromising safety measures.

"We acknowledge there are State Government policies and processes to be followed (but) we question the level of red tape that slows positive actions," he said.

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Inside our most powerful bikie gang

Dozens of Mongols Motorcycle Club members go on a victory ride. Courtesy: Mongols MC

New member of the Mongols outlaw bikie gang in Australia. Picture: News Limited. Source: News Limited

THE Mongol Empire has begun its invasion of gangland Australia.

Considered by US authorities to be "most violent and dangerous biker gang in the USA", the Mongol Motorcycle Club has arrived in Australia and immediately set up chapters in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia

And police motorcycle gang investigators have told news.com.au the Mongols are likely to become the ruling outlaw force in the country.

Mongols bikie gang. Picture: News Limited Source: NewsComAu

"Mongol bikers engage in drug trafficking, gun running, assaults, thefts, intimidation, and extortion," Detective Steve Cook, a Missouri, US police officer and motorcycle gang expert said.

While an Australian police officer who has been investigating outlaw bikie gangs for more than a decade said Mongols were known for "torture, murder, drugs, guns, explosives".

"Their reputation for violence and criminality is well deserved," he said. "And don't believe all the PR they might say about how they're just men who love their bikes and have a fight now and again, but collect toys for kids at Christmas.

"They are criminals.

"They are one per centers. They deal in methamphetamines, and to a lesser extent ecstasy and cannabis.

"They are into extortion big time, fraud and involved in places that are on the knife edge of criminality, like strip clubs."

A Mongols Australia member. Picture: News Limited Source: News Limited

The "instant" arrival of the Mongols as a new force among Australia's 40-plus bikie clubs is the result of a "patch over" of the former Finks Motorcycle Club, ahead of a court challenge on November 15 to outlaw the Finks under tough new Queensland anti-bike laws.

But the two police investigators, who spoke exclusively with news.com.au about the Mongols, said the patch over was no mere name change.

"They are now under the rule of the gang's mother chapter, the Mongols in the US," the police investigator said.

"We are gathering intelligence so we can be ready for when it begins ... beatings, stabbings, shootings and arson, whatever happens."

So who are the Mongols and what are their rules?

NAME

Also called the Mongol Nation or Mongol Brotherhood, their name comes from the vast 12th century empire formed by the Asian warlord said to have killed more people than anyone else in history, Genghis Khan.

The Mongols began in California and have spread across the US. Source: NewsComAu

THE CLUB

Began more than 40 years ago in California as a result of the Hells Angels gang ban on Hispanic members, the Mongols have spread across the US, although their mostly Latino membership is concentrated heavily on the West Coast. The Mongols have chapters in Mexico, Norway, Spain, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, and now Australia.

COLOURS AND STATUS

Like all outlaw gangs, or "one per centers", the Mongols wear the three-piece patch which is central to the outlaw gang ethos and jealously guarded, to the extent gangs will attack non-outlaw bike groups who "dare" to wear the three-piece, which consists of the "top rocker" with the club's name, "bottom rocker" with the club chapter location and the central club emblem.

In 2011, fellow one per center club, the Nomads, threatened social bikers club Ulysses during a rally ride to Canberra within ultimatum to remove their three rocker patches. The one per center status of outlaw clubs represents the legend they are the absolute minority of people on motor bikes who are "bad".

MOTTO, REPUTATION AND TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

"Respect Few, Fear None" is the Mongols' byword and they have established a widespread and fearless criminal enterprise in which they enforce their core business - drug dealing, money laundering, robbery and in particular motorcycle theft, extortion, firearms violations and murder.

US law enforcement authorities say the Mongols are the "most violent and dangerous" bikie gang in the country, perhaps the world.

There is an "ingrained hatred" between the Mongols and the Hells Angels bikie gangs which goes back more than four decades. Picture: AAP Source: NewsComAu

ENEMIES AND FRIENDS

Sworn enemies of the Hells Angels, and despising of the Angels' hatred for Hispanics, Native Americans and African Americans (who are refused membership), the Mongols have a "shoot on sight" policy against the Angels.

Their allies among other outlaw bikie gangs include the Sons of Silence, the Outlaws, the Bandidos and the Finks, who share their deadly rivalry with the Hells Angels.

The Mongols is one clubs that "allows" their women to advertise their property status. Picture: Mongols MC Source: NewsComAu

STATUS OF WOMEN

Women cannot become members and do not rank even in second place, "but more like third or fourth place" in status, police investigators told news.com.au. The Mongols are one of the outlaw clubs which like their women to advertise their status as the "property" of individual members. Group sex is tolerated, although it has become rarer among older club members.

MONGOL MEMBERS

The Mongols have a more violent culture because of their pattern of recruiting from street gangs which bring with them a more bloodthirsty "revenge" culture.

While membership has moved from the once compulsory bike (usually Harley Davidson, or at least V-twin engine motorcycle) riding, mostly bearded men to include clean cut younger members who may not even ride bikes, police said "the culture is shifting".

"It will be interesting to see what happens in the Mongols, because there are divisions emerging between the older bikies, many of whom are from Anglo backgrounds, and the younger ones, who are more ethnically diverse," the investigator said.

THE MONGOLS IN AUSTRALIA

With an estimated 90 per cent of the Finks repatching as Mongols, the club may almost be at the same strength as the Hells Angels, which has between 300 and 400 members in Australia.

Although the Rebels club is Australia's largest, with about 1000 members, the Mongols are now like the Angels, a club with strong global connections, and more prone to crime and violence.

State governments had already introduced tough new legislation to counter fears suburban Australia is under increasing risk from bikie gangs and their appetite for drugs, violence and gun running.

The emergence of the Mongols onto the scene has police worried, even though lawyers for bikie groups claimed the news laws were "against human rights" and an "overreaction".

Queensland lawyer, Michael Bosscher, who represents the Bandidos, said most bikies were "fathers and grandfathers with jobs".

He said new laws which threatened the ability for bikies to gain bail while on charges and to sentence them to extra prison time of up to 25 years were an assault on the individuals' human rights.

Bandidos colours handed in to Michael Bosscher's law office. Picture: Glenn Barnes Source: NewsComAu

Barrister Wayne Baffsy of the United Motorcycle Council of Australia also said the new anti-bikie gang laws were against the Australian constitution, and police had exaggerated the danger of so-called outlaw motorcycle clubs in this country.

"Many of them have no smoking, no drinking and no drug laws in their clubhouses and they are into physical fitness," Mr Baffsy said.

However, US detective Steve Cook, warned against the community or justice authorities being complacent about the Mongols.

Founder of the Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators, Mr Cook is one of the few international law enforcement officers with a working knowledge of the bikie gang scene in Australia.

"They love hiding behind these images that they are just a group of guys who just want to ride their motorcycles, the whole brotherhood thing," he said. "Don't buy it. They are in it for ego, status and money from criminal activity.

"They are violent and anti-social and will threaten, intimidate and mistreat the general public.

"And they are selfish and childish. What kind of grown man likes to call himself Pig Pen or Tank and wear patches and a costume?
"They turn it on for the media and then they go out and shoot someone and an innocent person gets hurt."

The Australian bikie gang investigator said the community had every reason to fear the Mongols and advised people - and especially women - not to be taken in by the "romantic" view bikies "love to present".

"It's all PR, the ride of bikies with the noise and the line up of men in uniform," he said. "It's meant to impress, just like a military procession.

"Don't be fooled by that, or by the statistics you might hear from lawyers about how 'little' crime is committed by bikies.

"They hide behind the fact there is gross under reporting of their criminal activity. There's a code of silence among members. You don't assist police and you say as little as possible.

"And cases don't get to court, or go nowhere once they do because they intimidate witnesses.

"People are too scared to give evidence because they fear [the bikies] will burn their houses and shoot their kids."

Continue the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ | @candacesutton1

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Voice of our princess heals hearts

On day four of the Royal Tour, Princess Mary and the Crown Prince of Denmark visited areas devastated by the NSW bushfires

FOR once, there is no dazzling smile sweeping across her face.

As she walks up the bricked driveway and stares through the empty carport, Princess Mary is quiet, contemplative, unable to comprehend the sheer devastation that lies before her - a crumbled, tortured spiral of blackened metal where a house once stood.

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary in Buena Vista Rd, Winmalee. Source: News Limited

She stops in the middle of Buena Vista Rd, one of a handful of Winmalee streets that burned on the afternoon of October 17, and commends the firefighters, the volunteers and the everyday residents for their formidable community spirit.

And then she reminds them, though slow and thoughtful delivery, what matters most. Them.

"People who are standing here today having lost their homes, the most important thing is that people have their lives,'' she says.

Danish Royals Prince Frederik and Princess Mary visit Winmalee Rural fire crews at their station then inspect homes lost in bush fires. Source: News Limited

A few metres away, a family, as if proving her point with perfect timing, pull into their driveway and set about walking through the blackened remains of their home. They are there, their house isn't. It was a scene to be thankful for, without diminishing their loss.

This was not a scheduled visit. Sunday morning was meant to be a time of relaxation for Crown Prince Frederik and his Tasmanian-born Princess; a chance to enjoy Sydney's spring sun on the harbour, perhaps, or recline without the humdrum of officialdom bearing on them.

Drone footage has been released showing residents and fire crews battling bush fires around the town of Lithgow. Courtesy CiviDrones/YouTube

Instead, they drove down a smoky M4 and into the Blue Mountains foothills to shake the hands of 60-odd Rural Fire Service volunteers, thank their long-suffering families, and see for themselves just what 100km winds, searing temperatures, and a flame can do to a suburb.

Nor was it a time to wear their Sunday best. Immaculate dresses and designer heels would not be pulled from the wardrobe of Princess Mary's penthouse suite yesterday morning.

A group of around 200, mostly locals, turned out to meet Danish Royals Prince Frederik and Princess Mary. Source: News Limited

It was time to don the jeans, the green joggers, and a navy knit that was later tied around her slim waist when the mercury started moving north. Prince Frederik went to the suitcase and came back with a pair of purple cargo pants, proving once again the bearded Dane can make anything work.

As the Springwood fire continued to burn a few kilometres away in a valley behind Faulconbridge, the pair received an in-depth briefing from RFS Commissioner Shane

After losing homes and belongings the Royal visit was a great chance for a change of pace. Source: News Limited

Fitzsimmons about the intricacies of the Australian bush and its propensity to burn. Fast and furious.

As Prince Frederik himself mentioned in a speech at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, this was not a scenario that Danes are particularly accustomed to.

For the suffering community of Winmalee, home to the bulk of the 200-odd destroyed homes, a visit from a Prince and his adored Princess delivered a welcome boost to morale.

Princess Mary talks to two young residents of Buena Vista Road, Winmalee. Source: News Limited

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