West Aussies spend most on mum

West Aussies will spend the most on mum this Mother's Day. Source: Supplied

WEST Australians have a mother complex.

A new study has found sandgropers will spend on average $67.10 each celebrating Mother's Day today — the highest spend per person in the country.

It's 20 per cent more than South Australians, whose residents average the lowest at $56.20.

But community leaders are urging West Australians to do more than just dip into their wallets to tell mum they love her.

Across the country Australians are predicted to spend just over $1.4 billion this Mother's Day. An IBISWorld study found most people will take their mother out for a restaurant meal, buy her flowers or give her a gift voucher.

The study found house appliances were the biggest growth market for presents, up 4.7 per cent on last year.

IBISWorld Australia general manager Dan Ruthven said many children saw homeware as "functional".

"Vouchers are a safe and easy option, especially for those struggling for ideas or time," he said.

Mr Ruthven said eating out was always popular because it took the stress of cooking away from the day.

IBISWorld senior industry analyst Sebastian Chia said West Australians would spend more than residents in other parts of Australia because wages were higher. The high cost of living also meant some products were more expensive in WA than elsewhere.

Archdiocese of Perth spokesman James Parker called on West Australians not to "cut corners" by turning only to material goods for present ideas.

"Our nation is living in an age when material possessions are easier to acquire than ever before," he said. "Gifts are great, but not at the expense of life-giving relationships."

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Fresh produce scam ‘widespread’

Police raided Safari Place in Carabooda last week. Picture: WA Police. Source: Supplied

UP to a fifth of the fresh produce sold in WA supermarkets is produced using exploited workers or cash payments to avoid the taxman, industry sources say.

And an average WA family would pay up to $20 more a week for fresh fruit and vegetables if all workers were paid award wages.

The WA fruit and vegetable industry is under the microscope after a massive raid involving more than 500 officers and nine government departments on the Le family's Perth vegetable-growing empire in the past week.

Authorities questioned 240 suspected illegal workers, many living in squalid conditions and allegedly forced to work on farms in Perth's northern suburbs for little pay.

But industry sources say it is the tip of the iceberg, with many growers using exploited workers from Asia who work below the award wage because they have overstayed visas or so they can also claim government benefits.

Cash in hand is the "standard business model" for some producers to avoid tax and superannuation payments.

One source suggests up to 20 per cent of fresh produce in WA supermarkets involved illegal workers. Source: News Corp Australia

Vegetables WA former executive officer Jim Turley said it was well known many producers did business in cash.

And a whistleblower whose wife worked at one of Perth's biggest fruit producers – which supplies Coles – said the company had been "employing illegal workers on a massive scale for years".

Regional Labour Hire managing director David Moffat, who has been providing horticulture workers for more than a decade, said dodgy operators put immense pressure on legitimate growers. He said some workers were paid $12-$14 an hour – below the $28-$30 an hour employers must pay when payroll tax, superannuation and insurance are included.

A major WA lettuce grower estimated 20 per cent of the fresh produce in WA supermarkets came from farms using exploited workers.

"And that's a conservative estimate," he said.

Ben Darbyshire, chairman of FruitWest, said apple, stone fruit and citrus growers mainly used backpackers for harvesting and "there is no question of exploitation because there is an award they are paid to".

Independent Grocers Association WA president John Cummings said he was shocked to learn of the exploitation.

A Coles spokeswoman said the supermarket had an ethical sourcing policy requiring contractors not to use child or illegal labour and to pay staff "appropriate wages".

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Witnesses to describe ‘assaults’

Count 1

ROLF HARRIS between the 1st day of January 1968 and the 1st day of January 1970 indecently assaulted (victims name), a female person aged 7 or 8 years, by touching her inappropriately.

Count 2

ROLF HARRIS between the 1st day of January 1975 and the 1st day of January 1976 indecently assaulted (2nd victim), a female person aged 14 years, by rubbing her.

Count 3

ROLF HARRIS between the 31st day of December 1978 and the 4th day of April 1981

indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged between 12 and 15 years, by digitally penetrating her on an occasion other than in counts 4, 5 and 7.

Count 4

ROLF HARRIS between the 31st day of December 1978 and the 4th day of April 1981

indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged between 12 and 15 years, by digitally penetrating her, on an occasion other than in counts 3, 5 and 7.

Count 5

ROLF HARRIS between the 31st day of December 1978 and the 4th day of April 1981

indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged between 14 and 15 years, by digitally penetrating her, on an occasion other than in counts 3, 4 and 7.

Count 6

ROLF HARRIS between the 31st day of December 1978 and the 4th day of April 1981

indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged between 12 and 15 years,

by performing oral sex on her, on an occasion other than in count 8.

Count 7

ROLF HARRIS between the 31st day of December 1978 and the 4th day of April 1981

indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged between 12 and 15 years,

by digitally penetrating her, on an occasion other than in counts 3, 4 and 5.

Count 8

ROLF HARRIS between the 31st day of December 1978 and the 4th day of April 1981

indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged between 12 and 15 years, by performing oral sex on her, on an occasion other than in count 6.

Count 9

ROLF HARRIS between the 1st day of January 1984 and the 1st day of January 1985 indecently assaulted (3rd victim), a female person aged 19 years, by touching her inappropriately.

Count 10

ROLF HARRIS on the 31st of May 1986 indecently assaulted (4th victim), a female

person aged 14 years, by touching her inappropriately.

Count 11

ROLF HARRIS on the 31st day of May 1986 indecently assaulted (4th victim), a

female person aged 14 years, by touching her inappropriately.

Count 12

ROLF HARRIS on the 31st day of May 1986 indecently assaulted (4th victim), a

female person aged 14 years, by digitally penetrating her.

FULL COVERAGE

GROOMING GIRLS: Harris a Jekyll and Hyde character

APOLOGETIC: Harris wrote to father of alleged victim

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Troy Buswell’s gravy train trip to shame

Troy Buswell returned to Parliament in time to watch Mike Nahan deliver the 2014 West Australian State Budget. Source: News Corp Australia

BIG sections of Troy Buswell's research report justifying his expensive taxpayer-funded trip to Europe and Asia to study light rail last year are plagiarised from public websites and brochures.

A simple check using ­Google reveals many parts of the disgraced former treasurer's 20-page report have been lifted word for word from the internet.

Mr Buswell, who resigned as WA treasurer after revelations he had smashed into four cars in Subiaco while driving home in his ministerial car from a February wedding, supposedly spent three months working on the research paper – which was handed in one month overdue.

Some of the plagiarism is so blatant he did not even bother to update facts.

For example, he refers to Bombardier being part of a consortium "selected in May" to build the Gold Coast light rail system, when it should be May 2011.

● READ TROY BUSWELL'S RESEARCH REPORT

The Sunday Times ran the report through the WriteCheck software used to detect plagiarism by university students. It found 29 per cent of report into the European leg of the tour was plagiarised.

According to Curtin University's academic integrity guidelines, if more than 10 per cent of work is copied it is considered plagiarism of the "highest level" and could lead to expulsion.

Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute director Peter Newman said the extent of Mr Buswell's plagiarism was "amazing".

"We would not just fail a student who did this, but they would be expelled," he said.

The university's School of Media head Joseph Fernandez said the report was "slipshod". and would see serious consequences in a tertiary environment.

"If Mr Buswell does not respond to the questions raised by this slipshod report on his study tour the Premier should take the lead and demand a full explanation from Mr Buswell and take appropriate action," he said.

The report has no references, no minutes or specific dates for meetings with officials and no details of discussions held.

Much of the 20-page report is also taken up by captionless photographs that come with no explanation as to what is in the picture, or why it is significant.

Mr Buswell makes six short findings on light rail, which he could have deduced from his office in Perth.

One of the "key findings" is how "light rail can form a very effective component of an integrated public transport system".

Another is that "over time" light rail "can become an embedded part of the community".

Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers last night said Mr Buswell "should have stayed home and saved taxpayers a small fortune".

"The truth is (Mr Buswell) could have put this report together without ever leaving his office in West Perth," he said.

The Sunday Times asked Jemma Green, a transport expert from Curtin University's Sustainable Policy Institute, to critique the report.

She said it resembled an "early draft".

"The report lacks any detail on how much these foreign rail programs cost, how they were financed and what value was created as a result of them," she said.

The Sunday Times revealed last week the trip cost taxpayers almost $14,000 on hotels, meals, laundry and airport transfers.

Where did Troy Buswell get his report from? Source: Supplied

Premier Colin Barnett has so far refused to release the full cost of the August-September trip, but said Mr Buswell would be made to explain the credit card bill. Yesterday he refused to comment on the study report.

The trip's itinerary included Switzerland, Germany, France, China and Hong Kong. Mr Buswell took the trip with Public Transport Authority managing director Mark Burgess.

While in Europe they were joined by Mr Buswell's then chief of staff Rachael Turnseck. In Asia they were joined by Department of Fisheries director-general Stuart Smith.

Mr Buswell returned to ­Parliament this week for the first time since his resignation as treasurer, which followed a mental health breakdown.

He refused to answer questions about whether he was drunk when he drove from the wedding.

Mr Buswell said he had been diagnosed with bipolar depression, but was looking to forward to life as a backbencher serving Vasse.

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Harris heads to court for sex abuse trial

Veteran Australian artist and entertainer ... Rolf Harris arrives with his wife Alwen Hughes (right) and daughter Bindi (left) at Southwark Crown Court in central London. Picture: Leon Neal Source: AFP

AUSTRALIAN entertainment icon Rolf Harris has arrived at court to stand trial for allegedly indecently assaulting four girls.

His alleged history of sexual abuse began with an indecent assault of a pre-teen girl as early as 1968, the year he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Mr Harris, who is facing the opening of his sex-abuse trial in Southwark Crown Court, London, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault against four girls, aged seven to 19, between 1968 and 1986.

The alleged offending occurred during the height of Mr Harris's international career which saw him celebrated in Australia, England and the US as a singer/songwriter, artist and TV host.

The now 84-year-old, from Bray in Berkshire, has consistently denied the charges against him.

Trial judge Justice Nigel Sweeney told jurors they must approach the case in an open-minded fashion, use their life experience to assess witnesses and ignore material and media coverage outside the courtroom.

Accompanied during his entrance to court by his wife Alwen, once inside the London courtroom Mr Harris sat behind the glass-walled dock and listened intently as the prosecution outlined the case against him.

The assaults against child victims were alleged to have occurred after Mr Harris rose to fame in the early 1960s with his hit song 'Tie me kangaroo down, Sport', his famous depiction of the Jake the Peg character and the international fascination in his didgeridoo and 'wobbleboard' playing.

Throughout the period of alleged offending, Mr Harris's prominence as a television personality continued to increase courtesy of the BBC1 program The Rolf Harris Show in the 1960s and 70s.

He was the subject of a This Is Your Life special and later hosted programs including Rolf's Cartoon Club and Animal Hospital.

Not alone ... Rolf Harris arrives with his wife Alwen Hughes and daughter Bindi at Southwark Crown Court in central London. Picture: Leon Neal Source: AFP

The charge sheet filed before the court lists 12 counts of indecent assault, including against a girl aged seven or eight on an occasion between January 1968 and January 1970; of a girl, 14, between January 1975 and January 1976; of a girl aged 12 to 15 between December 1978 and April 1981; of a girl aged 14 to 15 between 1978 and 1981; of a girl aged 12 to 15 between the same dates; of a girl aged 19 between January 1984 and January 1985 and of a girl aged 14 on May 31, 1986.

In 1982, Mr Harris performed at the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

A few years after the last alleged offence, in 1989, Mr Harris presented a child abuse prevention video called 'Kids can say no'.

A jury panel of 12, comprising six men and six women, and three additional jurors, are expected to hear evidence over several weeks.

Perth-born Mr Harris, who has lived in the United Kingdom since 1962 but regularly returned to Australia for family visits and promotional events, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and advanced to Officer (AO) in the Queen's 2012 Birthday Honours.

In 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal "for service to entertainment, charity and the community" and in 2005 painted an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth.

Prior to the prosecution opening, Justice Sweeney told jurors that while he was the judge of the law, they alone were the judges of the facts.

"As judge of the law, I have various duties to manage the conduct of the trial, to see fair play and to rule, typically in your absence, on any legal argument and in due course to sum the case up to you, directing you on the law that you will have to apply," Justice Sweeney said.

"As judges of the facts, your duty, pooling your common sense and experience of life, is to assess the witnesses and the other evidence that is put before you in the trial, and in due course to decide the relevant facts and thereby, having applied my directions of law, to reach a verdict according to the evidence.

"A number of duties follow from your role as judges of the facts. It's your duty to try the case on the evidence. The evidence is the evidence that you hear in this courtroom and nothing else."

He warned jurors not to discuss the case with anyone else, not to post entries on social media and not to research the case themselves.

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Where to buy for less than $430,000

MEDIAN UNIT PRICES BELOW $430,000

Source: RP Data. All data is to February 2014.

Suburb Median Sale Price

(12 months)

ARMADALE $276,000

BALDIVIS $415,000

BALGA $307,000

BALLAJURA $342,500

BASSENDEAN $392,500

BAYSWATER $290,000

BECKENHAM $363,000

BELMONT $417,000

BENTLEY $420,000

BERTRAM $293,250

BIBRA LAKE $346,000

CANNINGTON $405,000

CLARKSON $395,000

COCKBURN CENTRAL $427,000

COOLBELLUP $324,500

CURRAMBINE $385,000

DIANELLA $400,000

EAST VICTORIA PARK $427,500

FORRESTFIELD $319,750

GIRRAWHEEN $310,000

GLENDALOUGH $325,000

GOSNELLS $315,000

HAMILTON HILL $388,000

INGLEWOOD $353,500

JOLIMONT $405,000

JOONDALUP $415,000

JOONDANNA $410,000

KALLAROO $390,000

KARDINYA $406,000

KELMSCOTT $312,000

KEWDALE $410,000

KINGSLEY $390,000

LANGFORD $335,000

LATHLAIN $358,500

LOCKRIDGE $311,000

MADDINGTON $310,000

MAYLANDS $394,000

MIDLAND $355,000

MORLEY $357,500

MOSMAN PARK $370,000

MOUNT LAWLEY $425,000

NOLLAMARA $420,000

NORANDA $375,000

ORELIA $192,500

OSBORNE PARK $345,000

QUEENS PARK $411,000

REDCLIFFE $362,500

RIVERVALE $375,000

ROCKINGHAM $300,000

SAFETY BAY $310,000

SAINT JAMES $416,500

SEVILLE GROVE $299,250

SHOALWATER $255,000

SORRENTO $345,000

SPEARWOOD $335,000

THORNLIE $315,000

TUART HILL $390,000

VICTORIA PARK $395,000

WAIKIKI $342,000

WEMBLEY $310,250

WEST LEEDERVILLE $390,000

WHITE GUM VALLEY $235,000

WOODVALE $405,000

YOKINE $371,000

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Nic Naitanui close to $4m deal

West Coast skipper Darren Glass has backed star ruckman Nic Naitanui to return to form.

Show me the money: Nic Naitanui is close to signing a multi-million dollar five-year deal with West Coast. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: News Corp Australia

BESIEGED West Coast ruck star Nic Naitanui is on the verge of a multi-million dollar contract despite indifferent form that has bitterly divided estimates of his value in the Eagles long term plans for premiership success.

He is poised to agree to a package in the region of $4 million over five years and effectively secure the highly marketable and affable big man as an Eagle for life.

Naitanui, 24, will also get incentives if he achieves key performance assessment levels on and off the field over the length of his new contract.

He is expected to complete negotiations on a hotly debated deal and his true market value during the Eagles bye over the next fortnight.

Final negotiations are scheduled for after Sunday's clash with Greater Western Sydney in Perth.

His deal could even be announced late this week after further discussions with Naitanui's management and Eagles players return from a brief in-season break ahead of a return to duty against Collingwood in Melbourne on Saturday-week.

West Coast's Nic Naitanui - a match-winner at his best. Source: News Corp Australia

West Coast is also into formal discussions with veteran winger Matt Rosa on a deal that will keep the 143-gamer an Eagle for the rest of his career.

Rosa, 27, is tipped to sign a new three-year deal and end any prospect of the unrestricted free agent from returning to finish his playing days in his home state of Victoria.

Naitanui and his manager Paul Connors are in final stages of settling his new agreement with Eagles football heavyweights.

He will have performance-based incentives drawn into the lucrative deal that is tipped to make Naitanui the highest paid Eagle ever and on more than former pin-up star Ben Cousins and his 2006 premiership teammate Daniel Kerr.

Some of his inducements will include reaching certain amounts of games in seasons ahead, finals appearances and important finishes in club champion voting as well as pre-set performance accomplishments to be established and constantly assessed by Eagles powerbrokers.

He will also continue to receive additional AFL funded ambassadorial payments and league approved additional services partnerships, like his Channel Seven contract which are payments outside the Eagles salary cap.

West Coast management is believed to have made Naitanui his new offer with significant consideration to his undoubted playing potential and on reference back to the last season when he was fully fit in 2012 and was chosen as all-Australian ruckman.

He has had a disrupted start to the 2014 home-and-away season under new coach Adam Simpson after a second straight horror summer training schedule severely disrupted by serious groin problems.

He is playing under severe duress this season with further groin complications.

The potentially imposing enforcer staggered through just 11 matches last year on the back of a highly compromised off-season training and a late decision for surgery which forced a significantly delayed start to the 2013 campaign in Round 6.

In each of the last two summer programs he has significantly lacked critical foundation fitness, which is now affecting Naitanui's overall endurance levels and capacity to run out games.

He has averaged around 10 possessions and just 14 hit outs a game so far this season amid widespread condemnation of his lack of productivity.

Top analysts and commentators are distinctly separated on opinion of his true worth with hard hitting commentators like Brownlow medallist Brad Hardie and former Essendon goalkicking ace Matthew Lloyd calling for the hulking Naitanui to be dropped last month.

He has averaged just 10 possession an outing so far this season with only 14 hit outs with about one mark a game through seven engagements ahead of today's clash with fledgling Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium.

He has booted just one goal (1.3) this season as criticism of his form has raged through AFL circles and whether the gigantic budding ruck star is worth approaching $1 million a season on potential rather than proven ability.

Across his 95-game career Naitanui averages 12 disposals and two marks an outing, as well as 20 hit outs.

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Where Oscar’s gunshots hit Reeva

Oscar Pistorius' defence has called an anaesthetist to testify at the double-amputee runner's murder trial.

A BALLISTICS expert testifying for Oscar Pistorius's defence has claimed the bullets that hit Reeva Steenkamp were not in the order prosecutors claimed, offering key evidence in the star's murder trial.

Wollie Wolmarans sought to show that the sequence of the bullets showed Steenkamp was reaching for the toilet door, and not putting her hands to her face defensively.

The model's final movements have been used by the defence to show Pistorius shot the 29-year-old mistaking her for an intruder, while the prosecution has sought to show he knew she was in the cubicle and wilfully fired.

OSCAR PISTORIUS: Sells luxury death house to pay for murder trial

In happier times ... Oscar Pistorius and late girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Source: AP

Wolmarans told the court that Steenkamp was close to the toilet door and leaning slightly forward when the first of four gunshots hit her hip.

The next bullets hit her arm and hand, and the final bullet hit her head as she was falling backward.

Struggling ... Oscar Pistorius listens to evidence in court during his ongoing murder trial in Pretoria, South Africa today. Picture: Themba Hadebe Source: AP

Wolmarans's testimony runs in the face of police ballistics testimony, which said one bullet missed and ricocheted off the wall, injuring Steenkamp's back and that the final bullet hit her hand and head, as she was sitting in a defensive position with her hands over her head.

The defence witness said all four hollow-point bullets hit the 29-year-old model and law graduate, saying the same bullet could not have hit both her hand and head, otherwise there would be brain tissue found on her hand.

"I would not expect that tissue to go on the wall, it would be on the inside of the hand," said Wolmarans. He said the back wounds were "consistent with falling off a blunt surface" and caused when Steenkamp fell on a wooden magazine rack in the toilet.

Evidence challenge ... Wollie Wolmarans giving evidence in the Pretoria High Court. Picture: Herman Verwey Source: Getty Images

In dispute ... ballistics investigator Captain Christian Mangena examines the evidence. Picture: Themba Hadebe Source: AFP

The state's version, that Steenkamp fell into a seated position on the magazine rack, "doesn't make sense to me," said Wolmarans.

The expert testimony bolsters the defence claim Steenkamp was reaching for the toilet door handle when she was shot by Pistorius.

The Paralympic gold medallist claims he shot his girlfriend by accident, believing her to be an intruder in his up-market Pretoria home.

In contrast, the state claims 27-year-old Pistorius shot Steenkamp in a fit of rage following an argument. If found guilty of premeditated murder, the double-amputee faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Pistorius began the day in good spirits, cracking a rare smile in court as he greeted Wolmarans, an ex-policeman with over thirty years' experience in ballistics.

Yet as Wolmarans testified on graphic details about Steenkamp's death, the world famous athlete bent his head in the dock, shielding his eyes with his hand from photos of the bloody crime scene shown on the court television monitors.

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Viney wins bump appeal, free to play

Melbourne's Jack Viney has been cleared to play this weekend after the AFL appeals board overturned the two-match suspension he was handed by the tribunal.

A happy Jack Viney leaves the appeal hearing at AFL House. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE'S Jack Viney is free to play against the Western Bulldogs after beating his two-match suspension for rough conduct — and the odds — at the AFL Appeals Board.

The hard-nosed midfielder said footy can "just go back to normal now" after confusion surrounding the bump was settled by last night's verdict.

Suspended on Tuesday night by the AFL Tribunal for his part in the clash that left Adelaide's Tom Lynch with a broken jaw, Melbourne appealed that decision on the grounds that "the decision was so unreasonable, that no tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision having regard to the evidence before it".

Viney's odds going in to the hearing weren't great given that just one of the 14 cases previously taken to this Appeals Board had been successful.

But after a 74-minute session at Etihad Stadium — heard by Chairman Peter O'Callaghan QC, Brian Collis QC and Michael Green — followed by a 14-minute deliberation process, O'Callaghan emerged to deliver the words so many in the AFL community wanted to hear.

"We have concluded that the appeal should be upheld," O'Callaghan said after noting the difficulty of the case given the "hysteria" around it.

"And while the board is not obliged to give reasons ... we will do so in due course."

A noticeably relieved Viney said afterwards: "I always thought I was in the right".

"So I'm just really glad to be able to play," Viney said.

He also said, despite enduring "a stressful week", he would be fully ready to play at the MCG tomorrow night.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said the club felt it was important to appeal "not only for our footy club and for Jack but for the good of the game".

FOOTBALL'S BIGGEST TRIBUNAL CASES

"There's been some confusion about our argument," Mahoney said.

"We were certainly never saying anything about the bump, we actually support the rule that if a player chooses to bump and makes head high contact that there's the chance that he may be cited.

"However our argument all along was that Jack was playing an instinctive game, he had a very limited reaction time to make a decision and it was all in protection of himself rather than going for the bump."

Did the Appeals Board get the Jack Viney decision right?

Viney's case was led by David Grace QC, who said slow motion replays of the incident gave unfair appearance of Viney's actions being "a voluntary and intentional bump".

"What happened to Mr Lynch was an accident. It wasn't in any way intended as a result of a bump," Grace said.

"Mr Viney could not reasonably foresee that the consequences of the evasive action that he took — even if it was technically described as a bump, which is not conceded (by Viney) — was within his control.

"What I submit is that the Tribunal jury ought to have so found, on the balance of probabilities, that there was nothing Jack Viney could have done to change the intentions or be able to control the actions of Lynch and (Alex) Georgiou.

"The course of action was set in train and there was nothing he could do. Half a second is what he is being criticised for. That half a second time span does not allow considered decision making to occur."

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State Budget: Your five-minute guide

WA families to pay more under Treasurer Mike Nahan's first State Budget. Source: PerthNow

FAMILIES have been slugged with a $324 increase and the Barnett Government will sell off billions of dollars worth of assets to claw back debt. Here's a five-minute guide to the big decisions.

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Serco contract to be reviewed early

CCTV shows Cameron John Graham on the run in January. He and another prison kicked their way out of a Serco van in Geraldton. Source: Supplied

A REVIEW will be held into WA's court security and prisoner transport services contract two years before it is due to end.

In the Budget, the government says it will carry out a "mid-term evaluation" of the $50 million–a-year contract which is currently held by multi-national Serco.

As part of "efficiency" savings, the government says it will be evaluating programs to "identify opportunities to deliver services more efficiently and effectively" and that a "suite" of "performance indicators" for custodial services was being developed.

While the current contract with Serco is not due to expire until the end of June 2016, the Budget says a review to "inform future procurement decisions" will be held in mid-2014.

The WA Prison Officers Union, which along with the Opposition, has been calling for the government to dump Serco and hold a forensic inquiry into its policies and procedures following a series of escapes this year, says it hopes the review will not just look at costs, but also look at the quality of service delivery.

"It would be a good thing for the service delivery to be reviewed as long as that is done not just with an eye to driving down costs but also moving up quality," secretary John Welch said. "One would hope it would look at not just the question of cost but also the question of quality, and we know there have been significant concerns over a long period of time about the quality currently provided."

Maximum security prisoners Cameron John Graham and Kelden Edward Fraser escaped while under the watch of Serco on January 3. The pair managed to kick their way out of a prison van at Geraldton airport.

Two weeks later remand prisoner Bradley McIntosh-Narrier escaped from Serco guards at Joondalup hospital.

Following an investigation by the Department of Corrective Services into the Geraldton escape, it was revealed guards had left an external door open to allow for ventilation and that there was a fault with a lock on the internal door.

Serco was ordered to upgrade its entire fleet and pay more than $420,000 for the massive manhunt.

It will spend nearly $300,000 upgrading its fleet of vans.

There are provisions in WA's court security and custodial services contract that says the escape of two or more prisoners in a service year that are deemed to be the contractor's fault constitutes an "event of default".

Serco has been contacted for comment.

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Tough times: Families $324 worse off

Political editor Joe Spagnolo takes you through the WA State budget including the hit families will cop in the wake of increased household costs.

WA Premier Colin Barnett. Source: News Corp Australia

HOUSEHOLD annual fees and charges will go up more than $300 as part of a tough WA Budget that will also see the Barnett Government raid the Royalties for Regions scheme and sell major assets.

Releasing his first State Budget, Treasurer Mike Nahan made no excuses for a tough Budget – revealing state debt now topped the $20 billion mark.

Part of the Budget will see first home buyers no longer be exempt from the stamp duty tax for homes under $500,000. The new threshold will be $430,000.

FULL COVERAGE

● AT A GLANCE: Your five-minute guide

● BREAKDOWN: Winners and losers

● STANDARD AND POOR'S: Budget leaves WA 'open to shocks'

● HOUSING: Stamp duty hit for first homebuyers

As foreshadowed in The Sunday Times on the weekend, household fees and charges will go up by about $324 from July 1. Electricity charges alone are set to go up by about $62 a year.

The average family will now spend $5224 a year in household fees and charges (not including gas) as compared to $4900 this year.

Breaking an election promise not to raise power bills by more than the inflation rate, Premier Colin Barnett has authorised electricity hikes of 4.5 per cent per cent.

Water charges will go up 6 per cent, or $84 a year.

As well, there will be 20 per cent hikes in student fares and 5 per cent increases in the Emergency Services Levy.

And, parking in the Perth CBD will also be more expensive in 2014-15, with a $365 increase in the Perth Parking Levy over two years.

Treasurer Mike Nahan delivering his first State Budget to Parliament. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Corp Australia

Land tax will increase 10 per cent.

Dr Nahan tried to play down the increases by saying WA families were still well off compared to those in other states across Australia.

"If you compare the NSW basket of goods it is 40 per cent higher (than WA), " he said.

"It is (increase WA fees and charges) is what you have to do."

Dr Nahan, the fourth Treasurer for the Barnett Government since it came into power in 2008, said tough measures were needed to get the state's finances back on track.

"It's the right budget for its time," he said.

● HEALTH: Another $40m for Fiona Stanley Hospital

● STATE DEBT: TAB, port facilities in sell-off firing line

● COMMENT: WA Budget targets wrong people

Dr Nahan said the Utah Point bulk export facility at Port Hedland, Kwinana bulk terminal, the TAB, Perth Market Authority and "surplus" hospitals sites like Princess Margaret were all were likely to be sold off to pay back debt.

He would not say when the assets would be sold or how much the Government expected to reap from the fire sale.

However, informed Liberal sources have told PerthNow that the Government is hoping to get about $1.5 billion every year up until the 2017 election.

"The government will keep a close eye on the state's debt levels, and in conjunction with sound budget management, will pursue an orderly program of asset sales. This will be overseen by the Premier," Dr Nahan said.

Former treasurer Troy Buswell looks on as his successor Mike Nahan delivers the Budget he had much involvement in. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Corp Australia

Dr Nahan said the Water Corporation's assets, like wastewater treatment plants, were also on the radar.

In a controversial move, Mr Barnett will raid $3 billion from the Nationals' Royalties for Regions fund over the next four years – instead of their normal 25 per cent entitlement.

According to Treasury forecasts, the Nationals were entitled to $6.9 billion over the next four years in Royalties for Regions funding, but will only get $4 billion to spend.

WA's precarious financial position was highlighted by revelations WA would record a $183 million surplus for 2013-14 - well short of the $386 million forecast by Treasury last August.

The surplus is expected to drop to just $5 million in 2015-16.

● LAW AND ORDER: Police wage cap row

● TRANSPORT: Student fares up 20 per cent

● EDUCATION: Education spared further cuts

● SOCIAL WELFARE: $90m boost for child protection

State debt will tip the $22 billion mark this financial year, increasing to just under $30 billion in four years time.

Business investment is expected to drop to $60 billion over the next four years, but exports are expected to increase from $140 billion in 2013-14 to $170 billion in 2017-18.

Despite the pressure of delivering his first Budget just two months after being made Treasurer, Mr Nahan was quite relaxed.

He even referenced a few less-fortunate Liberal colleagues when recounting his reaction to being told to wipe $420 million out of the Budget two weeks ago, because a drop in iron ore prices affected projected revenue from royalties.

"So I sat down and had a bottle of wine. I wasn't driving. And no, it wasn't Grange," he said.

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’Hero’ acted on instinct to save teen

A good Samaritan has saved a teenager pulling him from a burning car.

An 18-year-old man is fighting for his life after he was pulled from the burning wreck of his car which was struck at high speed by a stolen car on Kwinana Freeway. Source: PerthNow

A MAN who pulled a teenager from a fiery crash, potentially saving his life, says he's not a hero and was acting on instinct.

An 18-year-old is fighting for his life after the car he was driving was struck by a stolen car at high speed on Kwinana Freeway just south of the Narrows Bridge late last night.

The teenager was driving a Suzuki Swift in the northbound lanes about 10.25pm when it struck a guard rail near the Mill Point Road entry, causing it to veer back into traffic, colliding with a Ford Festiva, which was also travelling north.

Police believe the two vehicles were travelling together, and the Festiva, which had three people on board, was stolen.

It is believed the Suzuki caught fire on impact, trapping the injured driver who was then pulled from the wreckage by Lyle Thomas.

Mr Thomas told Nine News he acted on instinct when he pulled over his car.

"I was really worried for his life, but that's really all I was concerned about," he said.

"I opened the door, undid the seat belt and I could see he was bleeding and I was worried about damaging his spine.

"I knew that he had no chance in the car. I had to move him."

Mr Thomas said others then pulled over to help, including a registered nurse.

The teen was taken to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

Two people in the stolen Festiva were arrested at the scene but they are also in hospital, believed to be suffering possible back injuries.

A third person in the Festiva fled the scene.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the crash or either vehicle prior to the crash. Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Perth, South West face downpour

Motorists deal with stormy weather, as seen from the Main Roads camera overlooking Leach Highway this afternoon. Picture: Main Roads WA Source: Supplied

PERTH and the South West face a drenching tonight with up to 25mm tipped to fall from late afternoon today.

The first strong cold front of the season is likely to bring heavy rain to much of the south of the state, but showers will extend from as far north as Port Hedland to Israelite Bay in the south-east of the state over the next 24 hours.

Motorists are urged to take care with the weather creating treacherous road conditions during peak hour drive home.

● PERTH TRAFFIC CAMERAS: How does your journey look?

Rain in the late afternoon, possibly from around 4pm, with isolated thunderstorms is expected to deliver 15mm-25mm of rain to the city.

Perth can expect a maximum today of 23C.

Perth had 1.8mm overnight, with Bickley in the Hills getting 11.4mm to 9am today.

Perth and the South West face a drenching tonight. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

The rain will come as a blessing for grain growers, many of whom enjoyed one of the best starts to the season with falls up to 45mm in some parts last week.

A second cold front which delivers further rain would be almost too good to be true for farmers throughout the Wheatbelt.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Perth is: "Cloudy. Isolated showers, increasing to rain in the late afternoon with isolated thunderstorms, gusty winds and heavy falls possible. Winds north to northwesterly 20 to 30km/h tending west to northwesterly in the evening.''

"A strong cold front and associated rain band will cross the west coast Wednesday evening, moving across the state during Thursday, producing a period of heavy rain and gusty winds.

"A weak ridge of high pressure will develop in its wake through central parts of the state on Friday with a moist westerly flow persisting over southern parts.

STATE FORECAST

Showers over central and western parts of the state west of a line from about Port Hedland to Israelite Bay. Rain, thunderstorms, moderate to heavy falls and gusty winds developing in the west late in the day.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday

Min 13C

Max 20C

Rain easing. Chance of a storm.

Friday

Min 13C

Max 21C

Shower or two.

Saturday

Min 12C

Max 20C

Shower or two.

Sunday

Min 12C

Max 23C

Chance of a shower.

Monday

Min 14C

Max 23C

Shower or two.

Tuesday

Min 14C

Max 21C

Shower or two.

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Man denies fatal push charge

Patrick Sunill Lilii, 26, accused of fatally pushing a man away outside a Perth nightclub. Zak Harvey hit his head on the ground and died three days later. Picture: Calla Wahlquist Source: PerthNow

A MAN who allegedly pushed away a man who tried to drunkenly hug him outside a nightclub, causing him to hit his head, has pleaded not guilty to grievous bodily harm.

Zak Alan Harvey, 32, died three days after his head hit the pavement on Murray Street outside Capitol Nightclub in Perth on April 20.

Police say that Mr Harvey was intoxicated and had been trying to hug people standing outside the club.

He is alleged to have put his arms around the neck of Patrick Sunill Lilii, 26, who allegedly pushed him away, causing him to fall to the ground.

Mr Lilii today pleaded not guilty to the charge, through his lawyer, at Perth Magistrates Court.

The prosecution indicated it was considering upgrading the charges.

Mr Lilii, who was supported by family members, was committed to the District Court on July 31.

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Pain, no gain: Budget to hit families hard

BUDGET LOOMS: WA Treasurer Mike Nahan and Premier Colin Barnett. Source: News Limited

COLIN Barnett will announce his sixth consecutive WA Budget surplus tomorrow – but at a huge cost as he jacks up fees and charges to help pay off mounting state debt.

Government sources said new Treasurer Mike Nahan would announce small surpluses for 2013-14 and the new financial year, but was expected to deliver a tough Budget for WA families.

Sources say:

● Mr Barnett would break a key election promise by increasing electricity charges by 5 per cent, instead of the inflation rate of 2.5 per cent

● Water charges would also go up 5 per cent, as would the fire and emergency services levy and student fares would go up between 15 and 20 per cent

● The Barnett Government is expected to go against the wishes of the real estate industry by tampering with the first home buyers $500,000 transfer duty free threshold. Land tax could also go up

● In an effort to pay back state debt, which is tipped to bust the $20 billion mark for the first time in WA's history, Mr Barnett is preparing to sell off about $1.5 billion worth of state assets in 2014-15, with the Kwinana Bulk Terminal, Utah Point bulk export facility at Port Hedland and possibly the TAB set to go.

It is not known how much of the government's privatisation plan will be announced tomorrow.

● STAMP DUTY SET TO LOWER

● COMMENT: TIME FOR TOUGH LOVE

Mr Barnett today confirmed the stamp duty concession for first home buyers would change in tomorrow's Budget.

Mr Barnett told a media outlet during a question and answer session that the stamp duty concession would continue, "although we are examining the level at which it is pitched".

The Opposition also expects electricity price rises will be aggressive.

During the election campaign last year, Mr Barnett promised to keep power price rises "at or around inflation", but newly installed Treasurer Mike Nahan recently said that would be a "struggle".

The premier described the Budget as "reasonably tough ... to suit the times we're in".

"The next couple of years are going to be a little bit tougher for everyone," he said.

"But we have kept any increases in taxes and charges to a minimum."

Real Estate Industry of WA boss Neville Pozzi told PerthNow young West Australians were already struggling to enter a market where the median house price had climbed to $550,000.

He said the current regulations, which meant first home buyers paid no stamp duty on homes up to $500,000, had helped stimulate what had been a struggling market.

He said lowering the stamp duty free threshold would force many young people into the outer suburbs, which were traditionally cheaper.

"All this will do is reduce the availability of properties that first home buyers can purchase," he said.

"If the number of first home buyers falls, then it also affects trade up buyers in the market which would then have a significant knock on effect to transfer duty.

"This could yet come back to bite the government."

State opposition leader Mark McGowan said the big increases in fees and charges were "an assault on ordinary families and a monumental broken promise."

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Buswell ‘surprised’ over $780 bill

Troy Buswell and his chief-of-staff were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a 'fact finding.'

Former Treasurer Troy Buswell said he was surprised by $780 meal bill from his French ministerial trip. Source: News Corp Australia

The town of Vrigny in France, where Mr Buswell and two others shared a $780 dinner. Source: Supplied

DISGRACED former Treasurer Troy Buswell says he was "surprised" he racked up a $780 meal bill in the French countryside while on a taxpayer-funded trip to check out light rail.

As The Sunday Times revealed this week, Mr Buswell and his chief-of-staff Rachael Turnseck were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a "fact finding" light rail mission last year — at the same time that WA lost its prestigious AAA credit rating.

Credit card documents, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, show that the fallen Treasurer and Rachael Turnseck racked up almost $14,000 on hotels, meals, laundry and airport transfers during the two-week trip in August-September last year, which included time in Asia.

They dined at Tinquex where the bill for Mr Buswell, Ms Turnseck and Public Transport Authority director Mark Burgess's dinner blew out to more than $780.

At one point, Mr Buswell and Ms Turnseck toured the French countryside, staying at the tiny hamlet of Vrigny in the famous Ardennes region — which is world acclaimed for its fine dining and champagne houses, including Moet-Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.

"Well I was surprised to understand that particular amount, but more broadly in relation to government travel it is entirely appropriate for government ministers to travel," Mr Buswell told media today.

"That particular part of that trip I was in Reims (France). Why Reims — because they had a light rail system of similar scale to Perth.

"It had been delivered using a public-private partnership.

"It went through a mall through the city.

"In relation to the location, the spot where we stayed was in the greater Reims area.

"It was in a village which was a couple of decent drop punts from the edge of Reims.

"I didn't book the accommodation, that was just how it transpired."

Premier Colin Barnett is refusing to release the full report of Mr Buswell's trip, saying it will be tabled in parliament soon.

Mr Barnett is expected to announce a number of cash-saving measures in Thursday's State Budget after racking up a $20 billion state debt.

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Six armed holdups in 14 hours

A BOTTLE shop and five petrol stations have been hit by armed robberies and police believe they were the work of one man.

Police from the Regional Investigations Unit are investigating the armed holdups that occurred between 8.49pm last night and 9.52am this morning.

The robberies began at 8.49pm last night with a holdup at the Craigie Tavern Bottleshop, on Eddystone Avenue in Craigie.

Further robberies occured at 12.51am at the Gull petrol station in Burswood; 3.50am at the BP service station on Main Street in Osborne Park; 4am at the Caltex Starshop, Wanneroo Road, Northlands; 9.33am at United Petroleum, Walter Padbury Boulevard, Padbury; 9.52am at Coles Express at the corner of Marmion Avenue and Marina Boulevard, Ocean Reef.

Police believe said the offender in the holdups used a syringe in at least one of the robberies and pretended to be armed with a gun in another.

The offender was described as being in his mid to late 20s, unshaven and wearing a dark coloured hoodie.

This afternoon, police advised that they were questioning a 35-year-old man in relation to the robberies.

There was another armed holdup at about 7.05am this morning at a Caltex petrol station in Madeley but police do not believe it is linked with the other six.

Anyone with information about the robberies should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Tour De Fridge: Drunk antics go viral

The binge drinking antics of reportedly up to 80 young Perth men on pushbikes has gone viral and has even made headlines in the UK.

WE already knew it, now the rest of the world knows it too – Perth is home to a lunatic breed of binge drinkers.

A video capturing the alcohol-charged antics of up to 80 young men on bikes has gone viral.

The 13-minute video on YouTube, called "Tour De Fridge — Ellenbrook 2014", has attracted more than 50,000 hits in its first week.

It shows a large number of young men dressed in silly outfits riding from one party to the next on pushbikes and drinking themselves stupid.

Drunken antics of Perth men was captured on a video titled "Tour De Fridge - Ellenbrook 2014" posted on YouTube.

It's believed the event occurred on Good Friday in and around Ellenbrook. It followed a similar event in 2013.

Some of the participants tried to perform stunts on their bikes while drunk.

At one point, a WA police car with two officers arrived at one of the houses.

Drunken antics of Perth men was captured on a video titled "Tour De Fridge - Ellenbrook 2014" posted on YouTube.

In another scene, a man somersaults off a roof into a small swimming pool.

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Was he drunk? Buswell refuses to answer

Disgraced former Treasurer Troy Buswell is refusing to say what happened on that infamous night in February when he crashed his car and left behind a trail of destruction in Subiaco.

Former WA Treasurer Troy Buswell won't comment on claims he was drunk when he crashed his car.

PREMIER Colin Barnett has denied any notion of a 'cover up' or preferential treatment for disgraced former Treasurer Troy Buswell.

In Parliament today, Mr Barnett said he did not believe it was his job to ask whether Mr Buswell had been drinking - after the Vasse MLA admitted to crashing his ministerial car on February 23.

"Give me any evidence of interference in the police investigation," Mr Barnett told Parliament.

"I have simply acted as I have seen fit at each stage as information has become available.

"I do not excuse or condone in any way whatsoever what happened leading to the damage."

• EDITORIAL: Troy Buswell must go

• SNAPSHOT: Scandals through the lens

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said Mr Buswell's comments this morning, where he refused to answer questions about the night of Feburary 23, was not good enough.

He also took a swipe at the Premier, who said part of the MP's punishment was losing his ministerial portfolio.

"Standards are so low in the government that we have a senior minister, driving, I think, blind drunk down the streets, risking lives, damaging property, and yet the premier says he does not have to explain himself," Mr McGowan said.

"And the police minister says he does not have to explain those events.

"That is not acceptable."

Do you think, using Mr Buswell's words, that "the matter has been dealt with"?

This morning, Mr Buswell refused to say what happened on that infamous night in February when he crashed his car and left behind a trail of destruction in Subiaco.

Addressing the media, Mr Buswell said he had been diagnosed with bipolar depression, but refused to answer questions on whether he was drunk on the night.

The Vasse MLA said he was "embarrassed" and "mortified" by what had happened, saying he believed a return to work would help with his rehabilitation.

• COMMENT: Buswell might as well have said nothing

• OVERSEAS TRIP: Buswell 'surprised' over $780 dinner bill

Asked why he did not speak to police about crashing his car into four other cars in Subiaco on his way home from a wedding in Kings Park, Mr Buswell said he had left it up to his lawyers to speak to investigators.

When questioned why he did not report smashing his ministerial car to the Premier or his office till March 9, the former Treasurer said he had been in hospital for several days after his "breakdown" on February 23.

Mr Buswell addressed Liberal MPs at a party room meeting this morning, some of whom have told PerthNow he needed to tell the "whole story" in order to gain any respect from the public.

Troy Buswell at his packed media conference outside of Parliament House. Picture: Marie Nirme. Source: Supplied

"Police have conducted a thorough investigation into a number of traffic accidents that occurred that night in Subiaco. Police formed a view they were caused by me, engaging in careless driving and I have accepted the consequences of my actions," Mr Buswell said.

"Police have investigated those matters ... I'm not a police officer and I'm not a lawyer from whom they would have received advice," he said.

"In my view, the matter has been dealt with."

"In relation to my health I have been diagnosed with bipolar depression, I have been receiving treatment for that from the 24th of February and that treatment is ongoing.

"I expect that treatment will continue for a long time to come.

"This has been a very difficult time for me and my family but all the advice I have from my doctor and others is returning to work is an important part of my recovery."

Heaven help me: Troy Buswell during a press conference outside Parliament House in Perth. Picture: Marie Nirme. Source: Supplied

Asked whether he was drunk on the night, Mr Buswell said: "The police have conducted an investigation and charged me with a range of driving offences and I accept responsibility for my actions. I have no more comment to make around events surrounding those matters.

"I am embarrassed and mortified that this happened, and I apologise and will continue to apologise to those people whom this has impacted."

Asked why he did not speak to police, Mr Buswell said: "Like a lot of people in those circumstances where there was a police investigation I engaged a lawyer and that lawyer basically communicated on my behalf to police."

Mr Buswell said that following the crash he was in hospital for "some 10 days" and was not in a state of mind to report the crash to the Premier, till March 9 – when police contacted Mr Barnett and his office.

In relation to who would pay for damage to the ministerial car and other vehicles, Mr Buswell said: "As I understand it Risk Cover has indicated they will assess those accidents.

"They have sought additional advice from the WA Police force but I haven't had any other contact with Risk Cover.

Feeling the strain: Troy Buswell during a press conference outside Parliament House in Perth. Picture: Marie Nirme. Source: Supplied

"I will wait until I receive additional advice from the government insurer."

Mr Buswell would not commit to completing a full term.

"I want to get better and continue serving my constituents. At the end of the day they're two simple but challenging goals," he said.

"What I can guarantee is that my full focus is on getting better and my focus is on continuing to provide the very best level of service I can to my constituents."

Mr Buswell was spotted riding his bush bike to a gym in Northbridge. Later, he walked to Parliament.

He said he may apply for an extraordinary licence.

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Disgraced Troy was living it large

Troy Buswell and his chief-of-staff were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a 'fact finding.'

Election coverage in the seat of Vasse in Western Australia. pictured is Liberal Candidate Troy Buswell Source: News Limited

TROY Buswell and his chief-of-staff were living it large on a taxpayer-funded credit card, escaping to the French countryside during a "fact finding" light rail mission — at the same time that WA lost its prestigious AAA credit rating.

Credit card documents, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, show that the fallen Treasurer and Rachael Turnseck racked up almost $14,000 on hotels, meals, laundry and airport transfers during the two-week trip in August-September last year, which included time in Asia.

At one point, Mr Buswell and Ms Turnseck toured the French countryside, staying at the tiny hamlet of Vrigny in the famous Ardennes region — which is world acclaimed for its fine dining and champagne houses, including Moet-Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.

They also dined at nearby Tinquex where the bill for Mr Buswell, Ms Turnseck and Public Transport Authority director Mark Burgess's dinner blew out to more than $780.

Vineyards near Fuisse, Burgundy, in France Source: Supplied

The region, although well known for its French champagne and culinary experiences, is, according to the State Opposition, less famous for its public transport infrastructure. "While there are no trams or light rails operating in outlying villages like Vrigny, the major regional centre of Reims does have a tram — one of 26 tram or light rail transit systems operating across France," shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt said.

"Let's not forget that Mr Buswell went on this junket days after presenting the 2013-14 Budget where he abandoned election promises, cut services and increases State taxes.

"I think any Western Australian would be aghast that Mr Buswell demanded cuts to frontline services, then dashed off to the champagne headquarters of France to spend $781 for a meal."

The two-week jaunt to Europe and Asia happened just after last year's August State Budget and during September — the same month WA lost its AAA credit rating.

It is understood that two public servants — the head of Fisheries and the managing director of the Public Transport Authority — also went on the taxpayer-funded trip.

Premier Colin Barnett promoted the trip as "investigating light rail systems in Europe".

Prior to taking the trip, Mr Buswell told West Australians a "very tough fiscal environment" required "short-term belt tightening".

He had also announced that "non-essential" government travel would be temporarily banned to help WA "live within our means".

The full cost of Mr Buswell's trip is not known.

The office of Mr Barnett yesterday refused to release a report on the trip, which was submitted in January.

A spokeswoman said the report would be "tabled shortly".

The August-September study trip to Switzerland, France and Germany with stopovers in China was the former treasurer's second trip looking at light rail.

In 2011, he visited Germany, Singapore, Sweden and Norway — costing the taxpayer $33,559.

But in December last year, Mr Buswell shelved the light rail project after a review of the state's finances.

Mr Wyatt called on Mr Barnett to "immediately release the entire details of the cost" of the trip.

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Deadly hospital errors soar

The report shows category-one events have been increasing since 2003-04. Source: Supplied

A pair of scissors that were left inside of a patient after surgery. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

ALMOST 300 people died or suffered injuries as a result of serious mistakes in WA hospitals last year, a new report shows.

The Health Department report found 107 people died and another 202 were injured as a result of severe hospital errors in 2012-13 – an increase of 77 per cent on the previous year.

"Moderate harm" caused by healthcare, rather than the patient's underlying medical condition, was also reported 6693 times, along with 9231 incidents causing minimal or no harm.

Among the more serious incidents were surgical instruments or other material being left inside patients on three occasions – including a "surgical pack retained following abdominal surgery" and medical swabs.

Surgery complications (23), misdiagnosis (23), medication errors (13) and patient falls (77) were among the most common causes of the 309 category-one events.

Another 84 of these incidents involved mental health patients – 47 of which resulted in "unexpected death" and 27 in absconding. Two patients were rendered unconscious while being restrained.

A WA Health spokesman said 33 of the 309 serious or "Severity Assessment Code 1" incidents had been declassified since the report was issued – meaning it had been determined that the hospital wasn't at fault.

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Green light for Roe Hwy truck toll

An Abbott Government source said it strongly favoured a toll on commercial heavy vehicles. Source: News Limited

WA is set to get its first toll road as part of a deal that would see the controversial Roe Highway extension in the southern suburbs go ahead with hundreds of millions of dollars from the Federal Government.

The Sunday Times can reveal the Barnett and Abbott governments have been working on an agreement ahead of the Federal Budget that would see the Commonwealth pay for the bulk of the $600 million project on condition that a toll on commercial heavy vehicles using the road is introduced.

The Premier has repeatedly said he is against the introduction of tolls to alleviate traffic congestion in WA.

But, it is understood his government is open to a toll that doesn't affect "mums and dads".

The 5km extension – which connects Roe Hwy from the Kwinana Fwy in Jandakot to Stock Rd in Coolbellup – is considered the most contentious road project in WA.

Environmentalists and the Opposition argue it is a waste of money and will cause significant damage to the sensitive Beeliar Wetlands.

Where the proposed Roe 8 road will be built.

But supporters say it is necessary to get heavy trucks travelling to and from Fremantle Port away from suburban areas and reduce traffic congestion on major roads like Leach Highway.

Main Roads predicts up to 75,000 vehicles could use the extension every day by 2031.

Premier Colin Barnett said late last year the project would not be built "in this term of Government".

However, The Sunday Times has been told by several Liberal sources the Federal Government is willing to pay for the "bulk" of the project if Mr Barnett agrees to the introduction of the toll.

The deal would be contained in the Federal Budget on May 13.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder, whose electorate could benefit from the Roe Hwy extension, confirmed he was in "ongoing" discussions with the Abbott Government about the project.

His office also confirmed it was "exploring" what contributions the commercial heavy vehicles industry could make in exchange for "increased productivity and road use".

Would you support a freight toll to extend Roe Highway?

An Abbott Government source said it strongly favoured a toll on commercial heavy vehicles. Mr Nalder has not ruled out such a toll.

"Our position on tolls is very clear: There will not be a toll for private cars," Mr Nalder said.

"I would expect any additional charge to the freight industry would need to be a win-win for government and industry."

A spokeswoman for federal Treasurer Joe Hockey said: "We don't comment on Budget speculation."

Labor's transport spokesman Ken Travers said it would "open the door" to the State Government introducing more toll roads across WA.

"Mr Barnett promised public transport at the last state election and that is what he should be demanding Mr Abbott funds for WA," he said.

In the state's north, a concessional loading scheme sees some mining companies pay for a special permit to carry extra loads.

Transporters pay a set number of cents per tonne per kilometre when they run on state roads. This funding is then used to maintain the road.

WA Treasurer Mike Nahan, whose Riverton electorate is also affected, said the Barnett Government would welcome a "significant contribution" from the Abbott Government.

The Greens' Lynn MacLaren said the Liberal governments had signed up for a "large environmental battle".

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