Life's biggest regret speech becomes global hit

Writer George Saunders regrets not showing more kindness. Picture: AP Source: AP

SCHOOL might not be the best years of your life, but the experience can define your values.

It's been 42 years since the best-selling New York Times short story author, George Saunders was at school, but he still gets a pang of regret when he thinks about 'Ellen'. That's a made-up name for a real girl from Saunders' seventh grade class. She wore blue glasses, had an unfortunate habit of sucking her hair when she was nervous, and was the butt of most kid's jokes.

"Relative to most of the other kids, I was actually pretty nice to her. I never said an unkind word to her. In fact, I sometimes even (mildly) defended her. But still. It bothers me," he said.

That story formed the basis of a speech Saunders recently gave for the graduating class of Syracuse University 2013. Failures of kindness, he said was the biggest regret of his life.

"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

"Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet.

"It's a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I'd say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder."

Saunders's simple words hit struck a powerful nerve. Within hours of the graduating ceremony it went viral on the internet and then Random House has struck him a book deal.

David Ulin, a book reviewer for the LA Times wrote a piece last week suggesting Saunders's witty and wise style of address, similar to David Foster Wallace's, This Is Water speech.

It's probably also because this notion of kindness is exactly as Saunders's suggests - a little lost on modern society.

But decide for yourself, read the full speech and tell us what you think in the comments below.

Keep the conversation going on Twitter @lucyjk |@newscomauhq

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Chicken Treat poison case falls flat

SICK: 11 people consumed caustic soda at a Bunbury Chicken Treat story. Picture: Twitter, Peter Kapsanis, Channel 9 Source: PerthNow

NO police charges will be laid over the poisoning of 11 people at a Bunbury fast food store in May.

Police spokesman Gerry Cassidy said today that the investigation into caustic soda on chips at the Bunbury Chicken Treat on May 22 had been closed.

He said there was no evidence of criminality for charges to be laid. But the City of Bunbury's health department may still pursue charges under the Food Act.

Five children aged under 10 were among the 11 people who needed hospital treatment after eating the Chicken Treat chips laced in the cleaning chemical.

Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is commonly used as a detergent or drain cleaner and causes chemical burns in contact with the skin, and can induce permanent blindness if it contacts eyes.

Staff were interviewed, as forensic tests were carried out at the Blair Street outlet, which was closed for several days.

In a statement at the time, Chicken Treat said it "deeply regrets'' the incident.

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Australia's priciest pad at $60m

For those with a spare $60 million, 6 Carrara Road, Vaucluse, could be yours. Photo: John Appleyard. Source: News Limited

A MANSION with an eye-watering price tag of $60 million could become the most expensive home ever sold in Australia.

The hotel-sized Sydney house is set over three sprawling levels, covers more than 2000 square metres internally, and features nine bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

If it sells for the whopping asking price, it will set the record as the nation's biggest-ticket residential real estate.

The yet-to-be-completed Vaucluse property at 6 Carrara Road is owned by international bank consultant Andrew Ipkendanz, who went to school in Sydney and now lives in London.

Real estate agent Bill Bridges of Ballard Property has had enquiries about the house from potential buyers, despite it being three to four months off completion.

Asian buyers in particular are believed to have shown the most interest.

The home is undergoing a major revamp. Photo: John Appleyard Source: News Limited

"It's not quite finished but it will be a better house than ($54 million Sydney house) Altona,'' Mr Bridges said.

Altona, an eight-bedroom waterfront property on Wunulla Road, Point Piper sat on and off the market for more than three years before it sold in May for $54 million.

The Australian house price record sits at $57.5 million for a home (pictured below) in Mosman Park, Perth, which was sold to mining magnate Chris Ellison in 2009.

The Australian house price record sits at $57.5 million for this Perth home, which sold in 2009. Photo: Stewart Allan. Source: News Limited

The Vaucluse house on Hermit Bay reportedly had an offer of $50 million, which is believed to have been knocked back.

The property is the amalgamation of two large blocks bought by Mr Ipkendanz in 1997 for about $6.1 million. The house is believed to have cost more than $20 million to build.

For its eventual new owners, nearby neighbours will include James Packer, and restaurateur and hotelier Justin Hemmes.

To be expected from one of Sydney's most upmarket suburbs, prestigious retail and eat streets will be at their doorstep. Vaucluse features sweeping Sydney harbour views, beautiful surrounding parks and close proximity to the city.

However, some industry experts are skepitcal the house will sell for anywhere near its asking price as it is in Vaucluse, not the more expensive Point Piper.

Buyer's agent Simon Cohen, of CohenHandler told news.com.au he doesn't believe the property has the right address to reach $60 million

"The home is on a waterfront reserve, not absolute waterfront, it isn't finished and it's not the most prestigious street in the suburb," Mr Cohen said.

"It's also a very tight street," he said, referring to the residentially crowded enclave.

Mr Cohen believes $45 million would be a more realistic price for the property.

However he says it is a better house than Altona (pictured below), offering full-frontal views of the Harbour Bridge and city.

Eight-bedroom, seven-bathroom house Altona at Point Piper sold for $54 million in May. Photo: AFP. Source: AFP

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Solar panel backflip: 'We got it wrong'

Premier Colin Barnett has abandoned a decision to halve a solar tariff rate for residents, just four days after announcing it.

The WA Government has reversed its decision on the solar panel feedback tariff Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

The WA Government has reversed its decision on the solar panel feedback tariff. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

The WA Government has reversed its decision on the solar panel feedback tariff Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

IN a spectacular backflip, Premier Colin Barnett has reversed the decision to slash the residential net Feed in Tariff for rooftop solar panels.

The decision was made in a State Cabinet meeting and comes on the back of widespread anger over the original announcement made in the Budget last week.

The solar panel tariff cuts was a hugely unpopular decision in last Thursday's Budget.

"Quite simply, we got this decision wrong and we have to fix it," Mr Barnett said in a statement.

"We have listened, and we appreciate the commitment that many people have made to take up renewable energy, like solar power."

WA politicians immediately took to Twitter to applaud the backflip

Opinion: Barnett's reputation damaged by feed in tariff debacle

Treasurer Troy Buswell had only moments earlier told journalists there was no chance the decision would be reversed.

The program, introduced in 2009, was such a success the Liberal government admitted in 2011 the take-up cap had been breached, costing it some $46 million more than planned.

Mr Buswell denied the reversal was embrassing or that he'd been hung out to dry.

``I have a job to do in government ... protecting the finances of the state,'' he told reporters.

``It's not always going to mean that you're the most popular person in town.''

Mr Barnett said the budget attempted to "achieve a balance" for residents.

"We understand that this measure would have had an unfair impact on one section of the community and it has to be reversed," he said.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said outrage from the community forced Mr Barnett to quickly re-evaluate.

"This is the clearest indication yet that the Premier was out of touch when he set his goals for this budget. He should also urgently make a genuine commitment to transition to renewable energy," she said.

"Well done to Western Australians who stood up and rejected this unfair decision.

"Broken promises to 75,000 WA homeowners would have meant that their solar panel investment will fail to recoup money outlaid in the predicted ten year time frame."

The opposition was to hold a rally outside parliament today, protesting against the move to halve the tariff.

Government in turmoil - McGowan

``Honestly, how bad is the Barnett government - complete, utter turmoil,'' WA Labor leader Mark McGowan tweeted.

The decision also brought on an internal backlash, with Southern River MLA Peter Abetz labelling the move unethical while maverick Hillarys MLA Rob Johnson threatened to cross the floor for the first time in his 20 year political career.

Mr Johnson said his constituents were irate after the government's annoucement last Thursday to ditch its original 40c deal.

``People feel they have been absolutely dudded by the government,'' he told ABC radio on Monday.

``And I can't help but agree with them.''

Some 18 Liberal MPs had met over the weekend to discuss the matter and all had made comments of disgust, he said.

``We should never renege on a contract with the people. It is disgraceful that we should even contemplate that.

``People have been misled in general terms on many areas, but this one is a very serious one because it affects people and their ability to spend their money.

``I won't have a bar of it.''

Political analyst Peter Kennedy said the decade-long tariff promise to 75,000 WA households that feed excess power into the grid could have sparked a voter backlash against the Liberal party at the September 7 federal election, potentially representing 150,000 voters.

Budget backlash: Win for people-power

Anger over the change in rebate had spread even within the Liberal Party's own ranks.

Rob Johnson slammed Government

Earlier today angry Liberal backbencher Rob Johnson slammed his party for spending "like a Labor government" and turning paid members off the party.

Speaking to PerthNow before the Government backflip, Mr Johnson said since the State Government announced last week that it would slash the rooftop solar panel rebate by half, his office had been inundated with phone calls and emails by angry electors.

Residents with solar panels have been left fuming over last week's Budget announcement that the rooftop solar panel subsidy would be halved in an effort to save about $51 million in the next four years, going back on its 10-year contract.

Mr Johnson said the government should not have gone back on its deal with the 75,000 solar panel owners.

"I have been inundated on this issue, on Friday my two office staff all day long were fielding phone calls and emails," Mr Johnson said.

"I have had more emails on this than anything else, genuine emails."

Mr Johnson said he had become concerned about the amount of debt the Liberal government had been creating.

He said the current State Budget was like "shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic."

"They're getting us into a situation that normally a Labor government would," he said.

According to Mr Johnson, the Liberal Party was losing votes from financial members because of the moves.

"These are ordinary members of the public who are members of the Liberal Party, ordinary mums and dads, and they're saying they're not going to even vote Liberal in the Federal election," Mr Johnson said.

"And that concerns me because we have got some good candidates."

This morning on ABC radio, Mr Johnson said Premier Colin Barnett and Treasurer Troy Buswell should have looked at cutting other projects before ripping up the solar contracts.

"There's been so much money wasted, quite frankly," Mr Johnson told ABC.

"It's a question of what is it that we need and what is it that we simply want. Do we need Elizabeth Quay? No we don't somebody simply wants it.

"Do we need a new footy stadium at the cost of billions of dollars, for twenty thousand people, no I don't believe we do it's something that's simply wanted not needed."

Yesterday Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said he would ``take on'' Mr Barnett after the state government reneged on a 10-year undertaking for households that feed in solar power to the grid.

Mr McGowan tweeted on Sunday: ``Anyone unhappy with Mr Barnett ripping up their family's solar contract should come to parliament at 2.45pm Tuesday where we will take him on.''

The state government believes it is safe from legal action over the decision, despite many householders expressing their outrage on talkback radio.

The program, introduced in 2009, was such a success that the Liberal government had to admit in 2011 the take-up cap had been breached, costing about $46 million more than planned.

The Premier's office has been contacted for comment.
 

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The mystery surrounding cabin 5281

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington - the couple missing from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship. Source: News Limited

A CAMERA captured the first images even before they'd boarded, the cruise ship's resident photographer snapping cheesy portraits beside the gangway.

As days slipped by aboard the Carnival Spirit, glossy prints multiplied on the onboard gallery shelves. Cuddling on a jetty among grass-skirted locals against the azure backdrop of an island stopover. Posing casually with her brother, sister and parents.

The ship's roving video crew filmed them relaxing in the sought-after sun pods and hammocks of the adult-only Serenity Deck, away from squealing kids wired from abusing their bottomless soft-drink deal.

Slip mystery surrounds missing cruise couple

Security cameras guarding the pokies and roulette wheels captured other vision: a dispute in the casino on the last day at sea, and a retreat to the apricot decor of cabin 5281.

Thermal cameras caught the fuzzy outlines of their falling bodies as they tumbled, separately, from the wooden balcony rail into the fizzing, inky water below.

Paul Rossington and Kristen Schroder - the couple missing from the Carnival Cruise ship.

Many hours later, back at Sydney Harbour, more cameras flashed as police moved methodically among fingerprint dust collecting clues to help explain the mystery of two young lovers forever lost at sea.

THE Fun Times newsletter dropped by a cabin steward on the bed each night - along with a square of chocolate and towels twisted into exotic animal shapes - directs the ebb and flow of life aboard the Carnival Spirit.

Activities range from five-game bingo and arthritis seminars to hairy chest contests and a bawdy hypnotist show.

All guests assemble for a mandatory safety briefing at 5pm the first night, though some barely listen and rush off at the first chance to their balconies or the decks to wave farewell to reality - and get stuck into the food.

Dining options abound. Snags at Fat Jimmy's barbecue. Freshly cooked slices from the 24/7 pizza stand. Ginger ale and plain biscuits for queasy stomachs. Three-course dinners in the Empire room, where spontaneous renditions of the nutbush from cheery staff mask their homesickness after months straight at sea earning money to send home.

Plastic passes carried by each passenger act as room key and credit card, allowing purchases from a coffee to $3000 in casino chips to be charged back to rooms.

Early risers who are not invigorated by the sunrises or yoga sessions can enjoy screwdrivers and bloody Marys before lunch, and $2 blackjack hands from 8am until noon.

Bathers and resort wear are the dominant dress for days by the pool or on shore excursions. Two nights deemed "elegant" see guests don their finest. Another night, guests mingle in white terry-towelling for a "bathrobe bash".

On Caribbean theme night, grown men compete with children to dress as pirates, complete with eye patches and parrots, for prizes.

Guests are as diverse as the cities they come from. New parents on their first getaway with a toddler. A bride in a white gypsy dress, celebrating her nuptials at the early dinner sitting. Retirees on their second marriages and their fourth cruise. Women celebrating recent divorces with scented massages at the day spa. Forty-something school friends on the prowl in the multi-level disco for the few eligible singles aboard. Adult families looking for a cheap and easy way to see the world together.

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington - the couple missing from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship.

TWO months before her Pacific Island cruise, Kristen Dennis had chucked in her Sydney real estate career and packed up her beloved pets and belongings to live with Paul Rossington, a paramedic based at Barraba in NSW, near Tamworth.

Since they'd been dating, Kristen, 27, and Paul, 30, had lived apart, with only snatched weekends together when his hectic shiftwork allowed.

She dubbed the March moving date "dream day" and her belongings were barely unpacked when she declared to friends she was happier than ever. "Progress used to mean lower vacancies, less arrears, higher returns," she wrote.

"Now it means ... my amazing man snoozing beside me on the couch. This 'progress' is most important, the progress to peace, comfort, real contentment and happiness. None of the other crap was ever important to me, this is what counts."

Occasionally, Kristen's sunny social media posts darkened.

Two people are believed to have fallen off a cruise ship docked in circular quay - the Carnival Spirit. Picture: Robert Barker

In early January she asked friends if they could recommend a family law solicitor for an opinion, but when pressed for information said it was too personal to discuss.

Her frustration with former husband Matt Schroder was evident back in 2011, as she readied the house for Christmas. The tree was up, and bells on the door. But the man she married in 2007 wasn't there. While Kristen packed for a holiday to Europe, she bemoaned the heavy furniture blocking her from reaching the winter woollies she'd need: "And he is not home again (anyone surprised??) Why am I married to a man who is NEVER around?"

The navy pilot was often posted afar, including a tour to the Persian Gulf.

Guests at their wedding at HMAS Creswell on the shores of Jervis Bay, south of Sydney, remember the unusual cake. A smiling bride sat atop it, with a sailor in dress uniform scaling a ladder up the side, hands outstretched to her.

But the cake was cut long ago, and now, so were their ties. With a divorce and a change back to her maiden name, Kristen was more than ready to move on.

A room believed to be the cabin of Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington on the Carnival Spirit crusie liner. Picture: Adam Taylor

In January, Paul gave her an impressive ring, which she wore on her middle finger. "Just a little spoilt," she crowed to friends when she showed off the sparkler. She'd given him a promise ring, too. She wanted the world to know how happy they were, and that she loved him "beyond reason".

Paramedic Paul had wrangled time off his intense roster only with the promise to do extra days on his return to the ambulance station where he'd worked almost two years. A passionate surfer and fisherman, he'd been on cruises with his own family before, but was looking forward to spending time with the Dennis clan as he cemented his life with Kristen.

As much as they were anticipating the holiday, animal lover Kristen feared she'd miss their "babies".

The devoted pet owner fretted about leaving the couple's combined menagerie, all rescued from animal shelters - an adult cat, two recently acquired kittens, and three dogs.

The move from the city to Barraba meant Kristen couldn't continue her volunteer "pound round" duties, walking or sometimes just sitting with dogs facing death row. But she continued helping as best she could from her new home, posting frequent social media urgings for others to adopt or foster and give unwanted animals a chance at life.

The day before they left for the cruise, Paul popped home for lunch to cuddle their pets and to offer his opinion on the shoes and formal wear Kristen should pack.

Like most other things, her excitement at the thought of time away with Paul, her mum Roxene and dad Reg, younger brother Aaron and his partner, and pregnant sister Dee and her husband Sascha, spilled on to Facebook: "It's going to be awesome to have the most important people in my world around me for 10 days."

THAT final night, home was tantalisingly close. The Carnival Spirit was in party mode as it sliced through the waters off the NSW coast, about nine hours before the expected arrival back in Sydney. Sauvignon blanc and Jack Daniel's - the most popular drinks aboard - flowed freely.

Throughout the voyage, cruise director Stu Dunn had exhorted passengers to have the time of their lives, a time they'd never forget, and most were. Kristen and Paul - who on land was often the last one to leave a party and the first one up in the morning for a surf - didn't want any more entertainment.

They'd retreated to their cabin after an earlier spat in the casino, skipping dinner with the others. After the sun set, the halo from the ship's lights illuminated the surrounding ocean for about 30 metres. Beyond that glow, the Tasman Sea was black.

Memorial service for Paul Rossington. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Kristen and Paul's balcony cabin was on deck five, at the rear of the ship.

Four decks up, directly above them, chilled-out drinkers were enjoying cocktails, though the darkness limited the 270-degree views.

Down below, on deck three, those seated by the windows for the late sitting at the Empire dining room had finished delicate salmon mains and were contemplating the chocolate melting cake for dessert.

Security staff patrolled the ship, and monitored a bank of CCTV cameras, though at that time of night most attention was focused on high-traffic areas such as the casino and bars. Only later, on recorded footage, did staff see Kristen and Paul's plunge from the ship about 8.50pm, off a wooden balcony rail just wide enough to stand on and about mid-torso high.

One after the other they tumbled, some seconds apart. The position of their cabin meant, with no alarm raised, in less than 30 seconds the ship had passed them by.

A room believed to be the cabin of Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington on the Carnival Spirit crusie liner. Picture: Adam Taylor

The hunt for them began only after Italian captain Adriano Binacchi's final cheery "ciao ciao" over the loudspeaker. When all other passengers disembarked, the couple's luggage remained uncollected. Checks revealed two passengers hadn't swiped off the ship with their "sail and sign" cards.

What could possibly have happened to them?

By the time an extensive air and sea search started, they'd been missing about 15 hours.

As word leaked out, people puzzled at how two people could tumble and then vanish into the ocean. Were they imitating a scene from the movie Titanic? Was it foul play? A suicide pact? Across the nation, people pondered the most pressing question: could they still be alive?

SARAH Kirby is proof you can fall from a moving cruise ship in the middle of the ocean and survive.

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington - the couple missing from the Carnival Spirit cruise ship.

The birthday girl was aboard a Carnival Destiny cruise from Miami to Jamaica in October last year when she drunkenly toppled overboard about midnight. She describes her survival as "an absolute miracle".

The American women fell further than Paul and Kristen - dropping two storeys, hitting a lifeboat, then tumbling five more. Her injuries included fractured bones and ribs, hypothermia, blood clots, and severe bruising. That was the least of her problems. Alone in the black water, she watched, with rising panic, as the ship sped away.

Unable to see lights after a while, she realised she was bleeding into the water, and feared a shark attack was imminent. "Please don't let me die, please don't let something eat me," she whimpered repeatedly.

She swam until she ran out of energy, then floated face-up to catch her breath. Waves crashed into her face, and the more saltwater she swallowed, the more she coughed and threw up.

When they couldn't find her aboard, her friend and partner begged staff to turn the vessel around to find her. They did. Almost two hours after Sarah fell, a crew member in a life boat approached and helped her aboard. After a week in intensive care, and three more weeks in hospital, she was home. Lawyers have filed a lawsuit against Carnival in the US. It is set for trial early next year. But such survival tales are rare.

Memorial service for Paul Rossington - his mother Christeen and his father Richard. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Victorian Trevor Gready knows the flipside of a man overboard. His son Andrew, 24, jumped off the Pacific Sky about 6km off the coast of Queensland on the last night of a cruise with his family in 2005.

Another son, Chris, and other passengers frantically threw chairs, tables and lifebuoys to mark the spot and to give Andrew something to cling to.

Trevor says Chris was so distraught at his brother's plight, he felt an overwhelming urge to jump in.

"He wanted to save him. A family friend stopped him," Trevor says. "It's a good thing, or they would have been trying to find two of them."

He and his wife heard the alarms go off, but didn't realise at first it was for an incident involving their son.

Soon a ship officer knocked on Trevor's cabin door to inform him, assuring "don't worry, we'll get him back". But, though the ship turned around, the rescue bid failed. Trevor says his son, who'd been drinking, had talked throughout the cruise about jumping from an upper deck for an adrenaline rush. "He was a thrill seeker. He'd go and jump off cliffs into the ocean and stuff," he says.

His family remain badly affected by their loss. "None of us have handled it very well," he says. "We miss him every day. The worst part is we never found him. There's no one to bring home."

ON the Carnival Spirit, as cabin stewards did their rounds to make guest cabins feel like home for their final night - turning down beds, switching on soft lamps - Paul and Kristen were in the casino, between the main lobby and a sports bar on deck two. They hadn't had much, if anything, to drink all day and had skipped dinner with the family.

Guests gravitate to the gambling hub, where one of the security supervisors is a dead ringer for rugby league identity Paul "Fatty" Vautin and the croupiers smile between gritted teeth, thinking of the money they're missing because Aussies don't tip as well as Americans.

Staff make a peculiar air-kiss noise to attract attention instead of shouting out. Kristen and Paul weren't quite shouting, but they weren't kissing either as they had a spat on the gaming floor.

Make: CanonModel: Canon EOS-1D XDate/Time: 2013:05:09 16:00:11

Another of the ship's 600 CCTV cameras caught them mucking around as they passed through the heart of the ship, the copper-toned Spirit Atrium with its marble-topped bar, elaborate staircase leading up to the photo gallery, and glass lifts.

Up to level five they went. Down the corridor. Tenth door on the left. They were inside cabin 5281 by about 8.30pm. Only two people truly know what happened in the next 20 minutes.

Though police are preparing a brief for the NSW Coroner, and an inquest might flush out more detail, those who loved Kristen and Paul already know in their hearts the tragic mystery can never really be solved, at least not completely. Facts suggest one of them hit deck three before plunging into the water. Thermal images show a short gap between one and the other tumbling.

Carnival Australia says nothing is more important than the safety of guests and crew, and that the company consistently exceeds regulatory requirements and actively pursues further safety improvements.

The families speculate that she climbed up on the balcony rail for innocent reasons, lost her grip and slipped overboard. They believe that, instinctively and immediately, Paul jumped in to save her - half-brave, half-crazy but devoted to her safety and happiness until his last breath.

Two people are believed to have fallen off a cruise ship docked in circular quay - the Carnival Spirit. Picture: Robert Barker

For all the speculation, so many questions remain. United in grief, two families console themselves that two souls so devoted to each other, and so committed to protecting and rescuing, had each other for company in the swirling sea.

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Bondi Vet collapses in City2Surf drama

Bondi Vet Dr Chris Brown needed medical assistance after collapsing during the City2Surf. Source: Supplied

CELEBRITY TV vet Chris Brown is recovering after collapsing during the City2Surf run in Sydney.

Dr Brown, or The Bondi Vet as he is known from the popular TV show of the same name, was one of seven people transported to hospital after the annual fun run from Hyde Park to Bondi.

Dr Brown said he required medical assistance at the 12km mark of the 14km race.

He was treated by first aid officers on site and taken to St Vincent's Hospital for observation.

Dr Brown, who was running to raise money for the Westpac rescue helicopter, said he had been suffering from a respiratory virus and wasn't feeling "100 per cent''.

"In hindsight, I shouldn't have participated in today's race,'' he said in the statement.

"By the 12km mark I was feeling very unwell and sought assistance. I was taken to hospital for observation.''

He had since returned home and was feeling "much better'', he said.

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Fury over power bill shock

PerthNow and Sunday Times readers have vented their anger as it was revealed that electricity bills could reach an average of $2000 a year by 2016. Picture: Thinkstock Source: The Courier-Mail

PERTH residents have vented outrage that their power bills will increase to an average of $2000 within three years.

The Sunday Times today revealed families will be slugged an average of $2000 a year for electricity by 2016.

Have your say – how will the electricity price increases affect you?

State Budget papers reveal yearly "approved increases" of 7 per cent for electricity prices from 2014 through to at least 2016-17. They have already gone up 4 per cent this year.

This will take the average annual family power bill from $963 to $1998 under Mr Barnett's reign, despite his promise during the March state election campaign to keep electricity prices "at or around the rate of inflation"  which is now 2.5 per cent.

PerthNow readers were outraged, voicing their comments this morning.

"Well it is about time the people of Perth show some kind of public voice about electricity prices," Andrew Jones commented. "Enough is enough and any government should be able to manage the cost of electricity better than what we see in this state."

Commenter Another rip off said the increases was one of the reasons they were 'leaving Perth'.

"What about when the electricity goes out because it rains heavy or when the poles catch fire because of the old and out of date why the electric is supplies to houses? Nothing is being done about improving electricity supplies."

Some commenters, however, disagreed saying the increases were necessary.

"Electricity is still far too cheap. Consequently we continue to build absurdly energy inefficient and oversized homes," Poiter posted.

"The fact is we take electricity for granted, like other services our government provides. The government has to balance its books to provide services for all," Jack Frost of Perth said.

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Economy dominates leadership debate

THE first showdown of the election campaign was dominated by the state of the economy, Labor's GST scare campaign and a decision on a second airport for Sydney.

Laying out his pitch to the electorate, Kevin Rudd appealed for three more years to show ''new way" while Tony Abbott spoke directly to voters on the economy and border protection.

At the debate at the National Press Club in Canberra,  the Prime Minister made a pitch to young voters and then moved straight to economic management.

He said Labor had kept interests rates low, had abolished Work Choices, had introduced DisabilityCare and the NBN and he said there was more to be done.

Mr Rudd warned the mining boom was over but said Labor could deliver a bright new future and "a new way of positive politics in this country."

In a bid to turn the first leader's debate in favour of the government, he also pledged a vote on gay marriage with Labor MPs to act according to their conscience

Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd have  faced off in the first federal election debate. Picture: Stefan Postles

Mr Abbott said the Coalition party room would reconsider its position on gay marriage after the election.

On a controversial note, Mr Rudd was accused of breaching the rules by reading notes.

The debate's moderator, Sky News political editor David Speers, revealed following the debate that Mr Rudd had used the notes and that was not allowed.

According to the rules issued by the National Press Club on Friday, both Mr Abbott and Mr Rudd were prohibited from having the help with their memory.

"The leaders may have a pen and paper on the lectern and no other documentation or props,'' the rules stated.

The National Press Club of Australia Leaders' Debate

In the debate wrap up following, Speers said: "Kevin Rudd had notes. That wasn't allowed under the rules.''

Labor figure Graham Richardson said: "If I was Kevin Rudd, I would sack whoever wrote them."

Looking down the camera lens during the debate, Mr Abbott appealed directly to voters, telling them under a Coalition government the carbon tax would be scrapped, with compensation and tax cuts to stay, and boats arrivals would be stemmed.

"We can make your life better," he said.

He promised he would "make a decision" in his first term, if he won the election, on a second airport for Sydney but said the existing gateway to the city could be used more efficiently.

The National Press Club of Australia Leaders' Debate

Mr Rudd did not match the pledge.

Mr Abbott said a Coalition government would not raise the GST, could ease cost of living pressures and protect jobs and he listed infrastructure projects he has promised to help fund.

They included funding for the West Connex in Sydney, the East West Link in Melbourne, duplication of the Pacific Highway and an upgrade of the Bruce Highway in Queensland.

He focused on government failures throughout the debate, including the disastrous home insulation scheme which was linked to four deaths, the boat influx and 1000 deaths at sea, the NBN blowing its budget and the carbon price forecast of $38 a tonne by 2020.

The National Press Club of Australia Leaders' Debate

"Mr Rudd talks about a new way, well if you want a new way you have got to choose a new government," he said.

One of Mr Rudd's weakest points was when he was questioned on why Labor's spending is higher than under the Howard Government and over forecasts tens of thousands of people are will lose their jobs over coming months as unemployment rises.

Mr Rudd responded that the government had staved off recession during the Global Financial Crisis and created around one million jobs.

Mr Abbott's point of weakness emerged over how the Coalition will pay for its promises with Labor claiming there was a $70 billion black hole - a claim Mr Abbott called a "fantasy."

He did not articulate last night what cuts would be made to fulfil spending promises but said there had been "an enormous amount of waste over the past six years" and that the Coalition had already identified $17 billion in savings, which includes the axing of the Schoolkids bonus.

Debate erupted over the GST with Mr Rudd claiming it was "legitimate to raise questions about the future of the GST" in light of the Coalition's promises and a tax review the Opposition planned if it won government.

"The GST doesn't change under the Coalition," Mr Abbott shot back."The people watching this deserve better than a scare campaign from the Prime Minister of this country."

RELIVE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DEBATE ON OUR BLOG

He said the campaign over the GST was "a little embarrassing to have the Prime Minister of this country, who had three years in power himself, he voted for the carbon tax...he was part of the surplus that never happened."

When asked if he had said the mining boom was coming to an end to cover over the budget problems after the government revealed a $30.1 billion deficit this financial year, Mr Rudd said the mining boom investment phase "was coming to a close."

Mr Abbott described Mr Rudd's explanation for his rhetoric as "waffle" and claimed if the boom was over it was because Labor had "killed it" with the mining tax and red tape.

The two leaders managed to agree on the debate format after weeks of argy bargy about the details.

Mr Rudd's first challenge was issued in the press conference he held after snatching back the Prime Ministership, but Mr Abbott always insisted any debate should be held during the campaign proper.

The debate was moderated by Sky News presenter David Speers and questions asked by a panel of journalists from the ABC, Fairfax and News Corp Australia.

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Who is at the top of Perth's A-list?

John and Margarita Hughes are a must-have for any big Perth event. Picture: Alf Sorbello Source: PerthNow

JUST 25 invitations are the difference between a bona fide Perth party and an awkward fizzer.

And the names at the top of the A-list pecking order may surprise some readers.

Perth's top 25 A-listers in pictures

According to top fashion event organiser Jacqui Brown, the No.1 guest isn't a soap star or a singer.

And, though she is always decked out in the latest must-have garb, she's not a fashion designer either.

Instead, she's the wife of a car king.

The always-effervescent Margarita Hughes - with her husband John - is the must-have at any big event, says Ms Brown.

"Due to the economy being the way it is, the people on the guest list need to end up being beneficial for the client," she said.

"(Ms Hughes) is obviously going to be invited to every hot event in town.

 "So when she's at your event, compared with someone else's, it means that every other guest in the room will see the event as that little bit more credible because she's chosen to attend."

Ms Brown said that in today's economic climate events had to translate into sales.

After a week of big events  from the launch of the Perth Fashion Festival program on Tuesday to StyleAid on Friday, the state's premier event planners told The Sunday Times their secrets for the perfect guest list.

Ms Brown said bloggers were popular guests until a few years ago, when event organisers realised many of them had no real influence.

Marketing and communications expert Nicola Bedwood is responsible for the guest list at the coveted Ronald McDonald House Charities Mercedes-Benz Ball on November 2.

"I look for the people who will be receptive to the cause, who may be able to contribute in some way," she said. "The quality of the guest is more important than their celebrity."

Publicist Caitlin Irving said she wanted potential future customers on the A-list at shop, bar or restaurant openings.

 "It's not enough to just be good looking or well-known  we want people who are interested and interesting," she said.

Perth PR stalwart Rosita Stangl said just because somebody was rich didn't mean they were A-list.

Melissa Lekias, who runs PR firm Magenta, said the guest list was one of the most critical factors.

"Whether it is their personality or the way they dress or that they just know how to work the room - having a couple of special guests adds a dimension that makes it memorable for everyone," she said.

Perth's Top 25 A-listers (in no particular order):

WA car king John Hughes and his wife Margarita

Property mogul Nigel Satterley and his wife Denise

Business woman Emma Milner and husband Peter

WA Governor Malcolm McCusker and wife Tonya

Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest and wife Nicola.

Businessman Warwick Hemsley and Minister for International Development Melissa Parke.

Perth property developer and businesswoman Rhonda Wyllie and former Nine Network managing director Jeff Browne

SMS technology entrepreneur Zhenya Tsvetnenko and his fashionista wife Lydia

Crown casino boss Barry Felstead and his wife Katrina

Mining magnate Chris Ellison and his wife and Tia.

Cricket legend Adam Gilchrist and his wife Mel

Melissa Karlson - The daughter of Rhonda Wyllie

West Coast eagles star Chris Masten and model Emmi Moore

West Coast Eagles player Sam Butler and his wife fashion label owner Natasha

Fashion illustrator Pip McManus - fashion illustrator

Channel Nine weather presenter Sally Ayhan

West Coast Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui

West Coast Eagles Ruckman Dean Cox and his wife Kerry

Fremantle Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich and his wife Lauren

Weather presenter Angela Tsun and Western Force rugby player Patrick Dellit

Media personality Basil Zempilas and his wife, blogger Amy Zempilas

Ten newsreader Narelda Jacobs and partner Lauren Swinfield

Businessman Kim Ledger and his wife Ines - Kim is the father of the late actor Heath Ledger

Blogger and restaurant owner Rayne Embley and West Coast Eagles player Andrew Embley.

Wheels and Dollbaby founder Melanie Greensmith and Divinyls guitarist Mark McIntyre.
 

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E-licence debacle prompts review

Serial drink-driving offender Mitchell William Walsh-McDonald received an extraordinary licence. Picture: Lincoln Baker Source: PerthNow

AN "urgent review" of the state's extraordinary-licence scheme has been called after revelations the Department of Transport did not oppose an application last year by serial drink-driver Mitchell Walsh-McDonald.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell told The Sunday Times last week that Walsh-McDonald's application in September was "opposed" by his department, but "the court made the decision it should be granted".

But Mr Buswell has been left red-faced by audio from the September 27 court hearing showing that the department not only did not oppose the E-licence, it gave the court reasons why it should be granted.

"This is a difficult application to assess," a lawyer for the department told the court.

"It is no secret that he has an absolutely woeful traffic record, including drink-driving and the fact that he can't comply with court orders.

"(But) it has to be acknowledged the last offence was something like two plus years ago, so I guess he can be given some credit compared to the rest of the record."

The lawyer said there were two factors that suggested Walsh-McDonald "can be trusted to comply with the conditions of an extraordinary driver's licence"  first, that it had been 2 1/2 years since his last offence and, second, that he was then in a "stabilising" domestic relationship.

Magistrate Paul Roth responded: "On the basis that whilst the (department) director-general does have substantial hesitancy about granting the extraordinary driver's licence, the director-general doesn't necessarily object to it, he's not consenting or agreeing to it, but not necessarily objecting to it either. I consider it is appropriate to grant the extraordinary driver's licence."

He added: "You so much as spit in the street I'm going to pull this licence off you."

This week Walsh-McDonald, 29, was convicted of his seventh drink-driving offence and two breaches of his extraordinary licence. His court appearance was on the 10th anniversary of the death of schoolgirl Jess Meehan, who died two days after he hit her while driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.165. He was fined $2850, his extraordinary licence was cancelled and he was banned from driving for two years.

Mr Buswell has conceded the department "did not do enough to oppose" Walsh-McDonald's E-licence application.

"I do not direct the day-to-day operations of the department, but I do believe the department should have strongly opposed the application," he said.

"I have requested that the department urgently review its handling of the Walsh-McDonald case, and EDL applications in general."

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