Stalemate in ongoing nurse pay dispute

Nurses are remaining defiant over pay claims despite the IRC recommeding they lift work bans. Source: PerthNow

THE Industrial Relations Commission has recommended West Australian nurses lift work bans at public hospitals but the Australian Nurses Federation is standing firm in its bid for higher wages and less menial tasks.

The ANF says the commission did not order nurses to open beds but did recommend the lifting of all work bans, which have closed one in five beds in many wards.

But that wouldn't happen unless it was agreed to by a majority of union members at a mass meeting, ANF state secretary Mark Olson said.

"I have also said to the commission that I will not be going to a meeting of our members empty-handed,'' Mr Olson said.

He called on the government to make an acceptable offer to nurses before the ANF and commission resume talks at 9am tomorrow.

WA Premier Colin Barnett said no agreement could be signed during the caretaker period, although negotiations at an administrative level could continue.

Mr Barnett said he had the highest regard for nurses but was appealing to them to stop the work bans.

"I don't think there is any justification for closing beds in our hospitals and it is affecting patient care,'' he said today.

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan said the party would treat nurses better than the current state government if it won the March 9 election.

"In the course of an election campaign, I cannot be making pay offers to one group or another,'' he said.

"But I don't think nurses are being treated well. It's very unusual for nurses to take industrial action - the last time it happened was 12 years ago, again under a conservative government.

"They don't do it lightly. They only do it when they feel they are being poorly treated or provoked.''

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Police deny dog fight thefts

The red tag supposedly put on homes targeted for fighting dogs. Picture: Facebook/InMyCommunity.com.au Source: PerthNow

THERE are fears that several dogs have been stolen and used in fighting rings around Perth but police say the claims are unfounded.

Information found on Facebook suggests organised groups are placing red tags on homes and stealing canines for dog fights, as well as cats and rabbits for 'training.'

These groups use 'white vans' to collect the pets for supposed training.

WA Police confirmed to the Western Suburbs Weekly that there has been an investigation but said there was no information to suggest there is an epidemic of dogs being stolen.

Anyone with relevant information should call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Read more at InMyCommunity.com.au

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Slow progress in methanol death probe

Liam Davies died in January from methanol poisoning from a drink he consumed in Lombok, Indonesia. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

STILL distraught from the death of their son from methanol poisoning in Indonesia, the parents of Perth teen Liam Davies are glad that local regulators are slowly uncovering the illegal beverage trade.

The 19-year-old drank a vodka and lime mix containing methanol at Rudy's Bar on Gili Trawangan, the largest of Lombok's Gili islands, in early January.

He was initially misdiagnosed in Indonesia as having suffered a brain aneurysm.

It was discovered after he was flown back to Perth - when he had already gone blind - that his severe illness was the result of methanol poisoning.

But it was too late.

Yesterday, the Jakarta Post reported the Mataram Drug and Food Monitoring Agency had discovered imported "Mansion House'' vodka containing methanol during an operation on Gili Trawangan.

The agency said the drinks had no legal distribution permit and the operation was aimed at helping police investigate the Australian teenager's death.

Six weeks on, his mother Lhani Davies said it felt that the tragedy was only just starting to be taken seriously in Indonesia, where so many young people like Liam travelled and she feared were also at risk.

"If we had not gone up there, the investigation would have stalled,'' Ms Davies said.

"Things are starting to be done.

"The word has got through that we're not going away.''

Initially, authorities weren't planning to take any action against Rudy's Bar, which the Davies' want to see shut down immediately.

"There has to be a firm statement made that this is unacceptable,'' she said.

Newspapers in Jakarta had started running the story this week and that was encouraging, she added.

The problem of alcohol containing methanol was a huge problem in Indonesia and the public needed to be warned, she said.

"It is just amazing the amount of people that are dying and being blinded and permanently injured through methanol poisoning - locals and foreigners,'' Ms Davies said.

Liam and his friends had not been overindulging and had been particularly wary of local spirits, including the infamous Arak.

"They had gone out of their way to avoid local spirits.

"They knew of the risks.

"Even if someone has 10 vodkas, you don't buy a drink and ask yourself `am I going to die from this?'''

Compounding the tragedy was the knowledge that Liam could have been saved if he had been properly diagnosed at the Indonesian hospital.

He was walking and talking on the way there but had a seizure at the entrance.

"If they had treated him there for methanol poisoning, our boy would still be alive, and that's a very bitter pill to swallow.''

Ms Davies said it was essential medical practitioners knew that a gas chromatogram was not necessary for diagnosing methanol poisoning because a patient's acid levels could be tested, which was easier and quicker.

Educating the public about the hazard was the only positive that could be taken from her son's death.

"We want to get in with the schoolies, the airlines,'' she said.

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Witness heard non-stop fighting

Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius looks down in court during his bail hearing in Pretoria. Detective Hilton Botha has revealed that police found testosterone and syringes in Pistorius's home on the morning Reeva Steenkamp was gunned down. Source: AP

• Witness says 'non-stop shouting' before shots
• Prosecution has no evidence to contradict Pistorius
• But say he must have known Reeva was not in bed
• Defence says substance found in home not steroids
• What really happened? | Pistorius's account

A POLICE detective, testifying at Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing, said that police have not found anything inconsistent with how the star athlete described his shooting of his girlfriend - a killing that Pistorius says was accidental but which prosecutors call murder.

The second day of the bail hearing in a case that has riveted South Africa and much of the world appeared at first to go against the double amputee, with prosecutor Gerrie Nel saying a witness can testify to hearing "non-stop talking, like shouting" between 2am and 3am before the predawn shooting on Valentine's Day.

The hearing has been adjourned for the day and will resume tomorrow.

It was also revealed that Pistorius was previously arrested for an alleged assault at his home.

"There was an incident at his house where he was arrested for assault I think," said police Detective Warrant Officer Botha. "I can't remember the exact date or time," adding Pistorius was not charged.

Pistorius said in an affidavit read in court on Tuesday that he and girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and budding reality TV star, had gone to bed and that when he awoke during the night he detected what he thought was an intruder in the bathroom. He testified that he grabbed his 9 mm pistol and fired into the bathroom door, only to discover later to his horror that Steenkamp was there, mortally wounded.

Under cross-examination, WO Botha acknowledged that the witness who allegedly overheard argument was 600 metres from Pistorius' house, where the shooting occurred.

Bail hearing reopens for 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius, who is accused of murder his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Later, prosecutor Gerrie Nel re-questioned WO Botha, and the detective said the distance was actually much closer.

Pistorius, the first Paralympian runner to compete at the Olympic Games, is charged with premeditated murder in the case.

The prosecution attempted to cement its argument that the couple had a shouting match, that Steenkamp fled and locked herself into the toilet and that Pistorius fired four shots through the door, hitting her with three bullets.

WO Botha added: "I believe that he knew that Reeva was in the bathroom and he shot four shots through the door.''

But asked if the police found anything inconsistent with the version of events presented by Pistorius, Botha responded that they had not.

Oscar Pistorius' attorney says the famed athlete and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp were "deeply in love" on the first days of his bail hearing. Deborah Gembara reports.

WO Botha, a 16-year police veteran, said the trajectory of the bullets showed the gun was fired pointed down and from a height. Pistorius' statement on Tuesday said that he was on his stumps and feeling vulnerable when he opened fired. Mr Nel has said the killing was premeditated because Pistorius took time to put on his prosthetic legs before the shooting.

Mr Nel projected a plan of the bedroom and bathroom for the courtroom and argued Pistorius had to walk past his bed to get to the bathroom and could not have done so without realising the Steenkamp was not in the bed.

"There's no other way of getting there," Mr Nel said.

WO Botha said the holster for the 9mm pistol was found under the side of the bed on which Steenkamp slept - also implying it would have been impossible for Pistorius to get the gun without realising that Steenkamp was not in the bed and could have been the person in the bathroom. Pistorius testified on Tuesday that the bedroom was pitch dark.

WO Botha said Steenkamp was shot in the head over her right ear and in her right elbow and hip, with both joints broken by the impacts.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux asked Botha if Steenkamp's body showed "any pattern of defensive wounds", and the detective said it did not.

Investigating officer Hilton Botha at the bail hearing of South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius. Picture: AFP

WO Botha said the shots were fired from 1.5 metres, and that police found three spent cartridges in the bathroom and one in the hallway connecting the bathroom to the bedroom.

Police also found two iPhones in the bathroom and two BlackBerrys in the bedroom, WO Botha said, adding that none had been used to phone for help. Pistorius had said that he called the manager of his guarded and gated housing complex and a private paramedic service.

Mr Roux said Pistorius did make calls, including to the guards of the housing estate. In one case, he said, a guard could hear Pistorius crying. "Was it part of his premeditated plan, not to switch off the phone and cry?" Mr Roux asked sarcastically.

WO Botha said Pistorius did not have a license for a .38-caliber weapon and consequently his possession of ammunition for such a weapon was illegal.

The detective said that all Pistorius would say after the shooting was "he thought it was a burglar".

In an additional revelation, police said they found two boxes of testosterone and needles in the Pistorius' bedroom.

But Mr Roux said the substance was a "herbal remedy", and not a steroid or a banned substance.

Botha said police made the discovery in the double-amputee runner and multiple Paralympic champion's upscale Pretoria house but offered no further details or explanation. Mr Nel also had to correct WO Botha when he initially called the substance "steroids".

Pistorius' lawyer, Mr Roux, said on questioning the detective, who was described as a 16-year police veteran, that it was not a banned substance and that police were trying to give the discovery a "negative connotation".

"It is an herbal remedy," Mr Roux said. "It is not a steroid and it is not a banned substance."

It was not immediately clear what the substance was.

Mr Nel also said that police were not saying that Pistorius was using the substance, only that it was discovered along with the needles in his bedroom.
 

In other evidence, Botha told the court that Pistorius had threatened a man at a race-track "over a girl" and said he would "f--- him up."

The investigating officer said the man was so scared by Pistorius's alleged threats, he consulted a lawyer.

The officer warned the star, who says he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder, could be a flight risk.

"The accused could be a flight risk. It's a serious crime, a serious matter," he said.

If guilty, Pistorius could get 15 years to life, the officer said.

Botha laid bare the facts of the post-mortem carried out on Steenkamp's body. The model suffered five gunshot wounds to her head and neck. 

Pistorius lowered his head and sobbed uncontrollably as the details of the post-mortem were read out.

The athlete, who is wearing the same black suit he wore at yesterday's hearing, arrived at court in a police car with a blue blanket covering his head.

Pistorius says the killing of Reeva Steenkamp was accidental and that he shot her by mistake in fear of an intruder in his house in South Africa.

Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder. The magistrate says his defence must offer "exceptional" reasons for him to be freed on bail.

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All is Aoki if you meet this DJ's demands

DJ Steve Aoki embraces a fan during his performance at the Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood, California. Picture: AP Source: AP

DEMANDING DJ Steve Aoki has opened up about his outrageous tour rider - which includes underwear, an inflatable boat, grass-fed beef, champagne and a bag of local grass.

LA-based Aoki told Confidential: "I have a reason for each item on my rider, from bottles of Cristal, which are unnecessary, to underwear and socks, which are totally necessary because we travel all the time, and I take care of my crew.

"It's all about travelling efficiently and we prefer to fly with only carry-on. Socks and underwear take up a lot of space."

Aoki is a DJ, record label boss, fashion designer and a restaurateur. His father Rocky Aoki, founded the famous teppanyaki chain, Benihana.

Steve Aoki said his demands are about familiarity.

He said: "I figure if I can live my lifestyle on the road, then I'm a happy touring individual.

"It's a super detailed list of what I'm accustomed to."

While his rider also asks for four grams of "local grass," Aoki denies making that specific request.

He laughed; "I'm not gonna try to pass the buck here because I take accountability for everything that's mine, but I don't even smoke weed.

"That was for someone else."

But Aoki said lawmakers should read the fine print.

"If you want to get technical, it's not actually weed - it's local grass," he said.

"People have actually brought actual grass, like lawn, backstage."

Aoki performs at Future Music Festival in Brisbane on March 2, Perth on March 3, Sydney on March 9, Melbourne on March 10, and Adelaide on March 11.

STEVE AOKI'S TOUR RIDER INCLUDES:
Inflatable boat or dingie (sic) suitable for 2 or 3 people (used during his performance)
6 pairs of men's underwear (briefs style)
6 pairs of men's socks (crew style)
3 large black V-neck t-shirts (American Apparel or H&M is acceptable)
1 small bottle of Listerine or similar antisepctic mouthwash
Promoter to pay for dinner (restaurants should be organic serving local foods, grass fed meat, non refined sugars, non-bleached flours)
One eight of an ounce of local grass.

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Stepson killed by 'maximum-damage' weapon

A SUPREME Court jury has been told a man shot four times in his home last year was killed with a hunting weapon designed to cause "maximum damage".

Bradley Thomas Daniel Auckram, 52, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his stepson Jason Burton in the family's Clarkson home on June 8 last year.

Police allege Mr Burton was shot four times during a midday family argument at the Farren Heights house.

Today, police forensic experts gave evidence describing the blood patterns and ballistics traces found in the house and on Mr Burton's body and clothes.

Firearms examiner Senior Costable Clive Roberts said a 33 calibre action rifle had been fired at Mr Burton.

He said a shot had been fired at the 41-year-old's right bicep, two to his back and one to his head.

Const Roberts said the bullets used were designed for hunting and causing maximum damage to the target.

"When it hits a soft tissue target, the bullet fragments, causing substantial damage," he said.

Const Roberts said the end of the gun could have been as close as 30cm and further than 2m away when the shots were fired.

Another police expert in bloodstain patterns said he estimated one shot was fired at Mr Burton while he was 1.2m from the ground and his head was shot when it was 35cm from the ground.

A video of the search of the house was also shown today.

During their search of the victim's bedroom, boxes, bottles and loose blister packs of prescription medications were found, prescribed by several doctors.

Three laptops, two mp3 players and some documents were also found in Mr Burton's room, but no weapons.

Police also found a machete, baseball bat and hunting knife in the master bedroom of the house.

The trial continues.

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Lively debate as leaders go head to head

Colin Barnett and Mark McGowan prior to the WA Leaders debate. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Colin Barnett wins the coin toss at the WA Leaders debate. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Colin Barnett prior to the WA Leaders debate. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

COLIN Barnett has defended the performance of his scandal-prone Treasurer Troy Buswell during the leaders' live debate on television.

The Premier said his Treasurer hadn't compromised his role as a minister but was "accident-prone''.

When asked during the debate on ABC why Mr Buswell had been promoted to Treasurer despite revelations in 2008 he sniffed the chair of a Liberal female staff member after she had sat in it - writhing in mock sexual pleasure - Mr Barnett said he was one of the most outstanding ministers he'd worked with.

"Yes, he's accident-prone if you like but has he done anything which is illegal, has he compromised his role as a minister, has he been questioned by the Corruption and Crime Commission as Labor ministers were? No,'' Mr Barnett said.

"He's made some mistakes in his private life and his behaviour.

"On one occasion he made a mistake which I thought potentially compromised him as a minister and I removed him from the treasury portfolio.

"The public sector commissioner conducted an inquiry and he was totally cleared.

"I respect people who work and do their job, and Troy Buswell is an outstanding minister.''

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said Mr Buswell wouldn't have been promoted "anywhere else - in fact he would have been out the door''.

"The only place that's he's promoted is inside Mr Barnett's cabinet.''

Mr McGowan said state debt was rising under Mr Buswell and he had presided over Perth's worst congestion crisis as transport minister.

LABOR SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT POLICY

The debate also revealed Mr McGowan's support for mandatory sentencing measures introduced and proposed by the Liberals.

He said he supported tough measures to deal with crime including mandatory jail terms for people who assaulted police officers.

"I am not opposed to tough measures to people who commit crimes,'' Mr McGowan said.

"We support the mandatory sentencing arrangements that Mr Barnett has suggested.

"But you need to do more than that to deal with crime. You need to employ more police officers.''

He recently said he did not support mandatory sentencing in relation to animal cruelty offences as it removed the discretion of the WA judiciary.

Mr Barnett said assaults on police officers had fallen 40 per cent since the law was introduced.

CANBERRA PLAYS A ROLE

Getting tough with Canberra is something Mr Barnett has become known for, and his political opponent says he'll do the same.

Mr McGowan has repeatedly deflected questions over why Prime Minister Julia Gillard won't be visiting ahead of the March 9 poll, saying it will be a state election fought on state issues.

Mr Barnett received strong praise from his federal counterpart on Sunday, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott saying he wanted to model himself on the premier's style if he were to become prime minister.

But during the live debate, Mr McGowan shrugged off suggestions Ms Gillard's support would be "toxic'' to his leadership chances in WA, where her mining tax is unpopular.

"It is possible to be tough with Canberra and get results and that's what I'll do,'' Mr McGowan said.

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McGowan wins the night, but only just

Colin Barnett and Mark McGowan prior to the WA Leaders debate. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

IF there is such a thing as a winner from tonight's Leaders' Debate - then Opposition leader Mark McGowan was probably just a nose ahead.

Journalists on the panel who asked questions of Premier Colin Barnett and Mr McGowan agreed he had won the night.

McGowan has been somewhat of a surprise packet this election. He has presented himself as an alternative leader.

And tonight was no exception.

Right from the outset McGowan was relaxed - Barnett gulping down the water as he began his opening pitch built around the message of "stick with us, we can govern for the future, and Labor can't''.

Barnett talked about good governance and painted himself and the conservatives as a government prepared to take on Canberra.

McGowan honed in on soaring utility prices - quickly reminding voters of 62 per cent electricity hikes in four years.

Throughout the debate, Barnett was strangely subdued and looked uncomfortable answering several of the questions - particularly about his scandal-prone Treasurer Troy Buswell from yours truly.

Continual questions from the panel about Barnett's failure to deliver a railway line to Ellenbrook also seemed to unnerve the Premier.

McGowan was well rehearsed - his advisers had prepared him well for the night.

But his inability to say how he would reduce state debt left him open to scrutiny and question marks over whether he can actually deliver projects he has promised.

In the end Barnett probably did enough to be satisfied.

There were no major gaffes.

And he had the benefit of incumbency.

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New recruit bounces out of pre-season

Eagle Sharrod Wellingham in action on Saturday night before he hurt his ankle on a trampoline. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

GUN West Coast recruit Sharrod Wellingham will miss the rest of the NAB Cup and could be in doubt for his new club's first game of the season proper after he injured an ankle in an off-field incident.

Wellingham damaged ligaments in his ankle after he landed awkwardly bouncing on a trampoline.

He will wear a moon boot for the next couple of weeks.

The former Collingwood midfielder won't require surgery but will miss the rest of the pre-season with West Coast, and is in doubt for the blockbuster round one Western Derby on March 23.

Which Eagles and Dockers to pick for your SuperFooty side

Wellingham starred in West Coast's win over Fremantle on Saturday night at Subiaco, finishing with eight disposals and two clearances in the shortened match.

The club has this weekend off before playing Collingwood on March 3.

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Tech-savvy get a taste for Mai Tai in WA

Entrepreneurs from the world's largest technology brands are in WA for the oZAPP Awards and a kite surfing camp. Source: News Limited

Kite surfing has been used to lure the world's brightest tech minds to WA Source: AdelaideNow

SOME of the world's top tech experts have descended on Perth this week to enjoy our natural beauty and get involved in WA's growing innovation sector.

Our state's famous Fremantle Doctor is helping draw a slew of mainly American-based developers, investors and entrepreneurs - many closely linked with the famous Silicon Valley.

And it's not just 'Valley' residents coming to Perth, but tech-related business people from across the globe and country.

For some, like Othman Laraki - who helped grow Twitter to the household-name it is today - it's the first time they've ever visited the country.

As well as being at judge at the oZAPP Awards (a competition to find the country's best app) today, Mr Laraki will also take part in Mai Tai - a kite surfing camp for entrepreneurs and innovators in Margaret River.

He'll be joined by entrepreneurs from the world's largest technology brands such as Apple, Google and Facebook as they take to the water in Margaret River as part of the invite-only event, as well as the state's inaugural Emergence Creative Festival.

Though keen to check out Australia, after his curiosity was sparked when helping grow Twitter, Mr Laraki said it was kitesurfing that "tipped him over the edge''.

"The Australian market is very interesting... a lot of companies don't tend to put any effort in early on because it's a relatively small population but financially it's massive.'' he said.

"I'm half French and we have this expression that is 'joining the useful with the pleasant' and this is one of those.''

Mai Tai organiser Bill Tai, who is also venture capitalist and Curtin University innovator-in-residence, said the first time he was invited to speak in Perth it was the kitesurfing that sold him.

"If it was an invitation to fly in, speak at the conference, and go home there is no way I would have ever done it, but Margaret River and Perth they're legendary in the windsurfing and kitesurfing communities.

"I had never been there before and I wanted to check it out and kite, and it happened to be windy season, so I said okay I'll do it.''

Mr Tai said Californian entrepreneurs and innovators often had the type of attitude that was also attracted to kite boarding so it made the trip Down Under worthwhile.

"It's not worth your time to come to Australia for three days, because you spend as much time flying as you would being there, so the only way to get someone to go is if the stay is going to be long enough and interesting enough to make it worthwhile to travel,'' he said.

"I think the developer contest and the emergence conference make it intellectually stimulating and the people drawn to those contest make it a worthy networking event and the kiteboarding just makes it completely worth it.''

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