Bikie link to Balga violence

Police investigating stabbing and shooting at Mongols Bikie Clubhouse Olney Place Balga Forensic outside clubhouse Source: News Corp Australia

A MAN has been stabbed and shots fired in a possible bikie related attack at a house in Balga overnight.

The incident occurred at about 11.45am at the Mongols clubhouse on Olney Court.

Police and St John ambulance were called to the address after a man, believed to have links with the club, was seriously injured.

A local resident points out a pool of blood outside his Balga home following a stabbing last night. Source: News Corp Australia

The man was taken to Royal Perth Hospital under priority.

He is in a serious but stable condition.

It is unknown as to the number of people involved in the incident or who was responsible for the attack.

Police are investigating and a crime scene has been established at the front of the home where the assault occurred.

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Shocking video shows man left to die

Courts release shocking footage of the final moments of police prisoner Gong Ling Tang, who died hours after this video was shot. Warning: some viewers may find this footage disturbing

* WARNING: This footage contains disturbing images.

SHOCKING video has been released showing police smirking as a man in their custody writhes in pain, and is then abandoned outside a police station to die.

CCTV footage from inside Dandenong police station shows Gong Ling Tang, 53, crawling from a cell.

An interpreter told a coroner he had pleaded with police to be taken to hospital.

AWFUL END: Hopes for new life end in tragedy

The May 2010 footage shows a clearly disoriented Mr Tang writhing in pain in his cell, and shows him later outside, barely able to stand, and then collapsing in a puddle.

The Herald Sun successfully applied to the coroner for the public release of the disturbing footage.

The police involved, none of whom has faced any penalty, opposed the release.

Their lawyers argued the video would be used to sensationalise the matter, and there was a risk it could inflame relationships between the public and police.

Gong Ling Tang crawled from his cell after begging to be taken to the hospital. He later died from a gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Source: Supplied

But despite the distressing nature of the footage, Mr Tang's family wanted it shown.

The footage shows Mr Tang, who appears unbalanced and unable to walk properly, refusing to leave the police station after being allowed to do so.

Shortly later two officers are seen escorting Mr Tang outside the station and leaving him alone outside with a bag of his personal property.

Moments later Mr Tang appeared to collapse in a puddle.

He died in hospital the following morning.

Deputy State Coroner Iain West ruled that the 51 minutes of footage be released, noting there was a public interest in "inquests concerning the actions of the police".

"I also do not accept that publication will inflame; rather (it will) inform," Mr West said.

"I accept that some of the footage might be regarded as confronting or distressing."

Mr Tang's family said the CCTV footage showed the actions of the police who did not give evidence at the inquest.

"The family are grateful that the tragic final hours of their husband and father have been revealed," they said.

Gong Ling Tang Source: HeraldSun

Genna Angelowitsch, from Adviceline Injury Lawyers, said the family were grateful for an apology from police.

"But unfortunately, Mrs Truong and her daughter are still suffering now," she said.

No officer has been charged or faced any disciplinary action in the more than three years since Mr Tang's death.

A force spokesman said a professional standards investigation continued, and police awaited the inquest findings.

In January the Office of Police Integrity said there were "a number of procedural and duty failings" without which the result may have differed.

My Tang died hours after being removed from Dandenong police station and left outside, where he collapsed in a puddle. Source: Supplied

The court heard Mr Tang was "half pushed out" of a police holding area by an officer.

Mandarin interpreter Yu Shu Lipski told the inquest police laughed at Mr Tang, who'd soiled himself, ridiculed him, yelled at him, and showed him little respect.

The court heard that as Mr Tang was interviewed an officer "was laughing so much she had tears coming out of her eyes."

Ms Lipski said Mr Tang said: "I want to go home ... I want to go to hospital, I can't take it any more.

"I'm going to die."

An unsteady Mr Tang being removed from the police station. Source: Supplied

She said despite seeing Mr Tang, who was also bleeding, rolling around on the floor in pain officers were told to "get rid go him".

"I was very concerned about his health," she said.

"I could see lots of blood in the cell near the bed," she said.

No officers have been charged or faced any disciplinary action, Victoria Police has confirmed.

The court has heard there is conflicting evidence about what arrangements had been made for Mr Tang upon his release.

When paramedics arrived at the police station Mr Tang was seen lying barefoot in a puddle of water.

He was admitted to intensive care with hypothermia and liver failure.

He died from a gastrointestinal haemorrhage the next morning.

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Four stranded as boat sinks at Shark Bay

The RAC Rescue Helicopter is being sent to Shark Bay, 800 kilometres north of Perth. Source: News Corp Australia

EMERGENCY services are attempting to rescue four people, who are stranded after their boat capsized at Dirk Hartog Island in Shark Bay, 800 kilometres north of Perth.

WA Police says the group have been spotted on a rock face.

One of the people is believed to have serious head and body injuries.

The other three do not appear to be injured, police said.

The RAC Rescue helicopter has been dispatched to rescue the injured passenger. A police helicopter has been deployed to rescue the others.

Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Shark Bay president Greg Ridgley said the group is stranded at Black Rock, north of Steep Point.

A large swell means the area is only accessible by helicopter or four-wheel-drive, Mr Ridgley said.

Shark Bay Police contacted the Water Police at midday after receiving a report that a boat, about 10km north of Steep Point, was experiencing trouble.

The Water Police Coordination Centre received then an alert from the Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra that an EPIRB had been activated at the same location.

Two boats responded and headed to the area.

An initial search failed to locate a vessel, which police believe has sunk.

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Poms have 'scared eyes', says Warner

Centuries from David Warner and Michael Clarke have taken Australia's lead past 400 at Tea on Day Three.

David Warner jumps for joy after bringing up his first Ashes century. Picture: Adam Head. Source: News Corp Australia

UPDATE: David Warner has accused England's batsmen of having "scared eyes" in the face of a relentless pace barrage as Australia strives for an Ashes defining victory on Sunday in the first Test at the Gabba.

Speaking after he and Michael Clarke completely dominated the third day with attacking centuries, Warner accused Jonathan Trott of being "weak" for falling again to a Mitchell Johnson short ball, caught hooking on nine.

England will resume this morning a shaky 2-24 after Clarke declared 560 ahead.

"Our bowlers are bowling fast at the moment. England are on the back foot. It does look like they've got scared eyes," Warne said after making his fourth Test century, a fine 124 from 154 balls with 13-4s and a six.

"The way that Trotty got out today was pretty poor and pretty weak.

"Obviously there is a weakness there at the moment and we're probably on top of it.

"I think he's got to get new sledges as well because it's not working for him at the moment.

"We've seen him work hard on the short ball but trying to face 150k short balls from Mitch Johnson, the way to go is not probably trying to back away."

David Warner has brought up his fourth Test - and first Ashes - century, putting Australia in the driving seat midway through Day 3.

Warner claimed it would be a "massive" psychological hit for Australia to go 1-0 up in the series.

"The boys are on a high at the moment but we've got to get the job done. We've got to come out tomorrow and take eight wickets."

After a difficult year Warner has redefined his career and Clarke dulled the memory of his ugly first innings fend to short leg off Stuart Broad when the captain was just one.

Clarke made 113 (130b, 10-4s, 1-6), allowing him to declare at 7-401.

England was struggling at 2-24 in reply after opening batsman Michael Carberry (0) defended a ball from Ryan Harris into his stumps and Trott (9) flicked a Johnson lifter to Nathan Lyon at deep square leg.

It could have been even worse for England when 100 Test veteran Kevin Pietersen called his captain Alastair Cook for a suicidal single but debutant George Bailey knocked a bail off taking the ball over the stumps with Cook short of his ground.

Jonathan Trott walks off as the Australians celebrate. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Along the way Warner and Clarke murdered one of England's most important weapons, spinner Graeme Swann. The leading wicket-taker during the recent England series played on dry wickets doctored for him, Swann finished with 2-135, conceding five an over after going wicketless in the first innings.

It was an outstanding innings from Warner. He batted with a clear head, picking the moments to attack and defend.

Last June he was suspended for punching Joe Root in a Birmingham bar. Yesterday he punched a ball from the young Yorkshireman through the covers to bring up a fourth century in 23 Tests and his first in an Ashes series.

It was Clarke's 25th Test hundred but just his second century batting at number four.

He made his intentions clear from the outset, pulling successive short balls from Broad to the boundary early in his innings.

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Missing man's family fly to Nepal

TRAVELLER: Missing WA man Matt Allpress, pictured with friends, has gone missing while trekking in Nepal. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

THE family of a Perth man believed to be missing in the Himalayas has widened its search as they prepare to fly out to Nepal.

Matthew Allpress, 23, has not been heard from since he set off for his solo trek in the Annapurna region on November 2.

Younger brother Michael is due to depart for Kathmandu with his father on tomorrow night.

Matthew's mother, Margaret, arrived in the Nepalese capital on Thursday to look for her son.

A helicopter flyover yesterday, paid for by the family, found no sign of graphic artist Matthew in open areas.

"But there are many forest areas and if he went down injured he would have taken cover there," Michael, 20, said.

"There are also loads of little huts where he might be that could not be seen from the helicopter flyover."

The family has organised three more groups of Sherpa guides to join the search, as well as a dog team.

"We are upping the search numbers and doing all we can," Michael, of Melville, said.

The alert was raised for Matthew when he missed his flight home to Sydney Airport on November 14.

A social media campaign to find him has gained momentum this week.

Michael today thanked those who had sent messages of advice and support.

A classical singer at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Michael is due to perform his graduation recital on Saturday at 5.30pm.

He will board a plane to Nepal in the hours after the performance, which is the culmination of three years of study.

"I've been doing a show every night for the last week. It's been good to be able to go and think about something else and be with my friends. It's a distraction," Michael said.

"It's all been difficult to perform with all this stuff that is going on."

He added: "If there is any news, dad will go (to Nepal) and I will get a recorded copy that he can listen to one day. This is much more important than my exam."

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Sacked WA cop jailed on child porn images

Former WA police officer Lynton John Moore was today jailed for accessing child pornography. Source: News Corp Australia

A WA police detective caught up in a worldwide operation combating child pornography has been jailed for more than two years by a judge in Perth.

Lynton John Moore, 30, was one of hundreds of men arrested after a global operation to track down the client list of a Canadian-hosted website which allowed customers to trade and purchase child sex images and videos.

In June, Moore was raided by his WA police colleagues who found more than 20,000 images and videos featuring boys as young as seven being exploited.

He also refused to hand over the password to the hard disks containing the images - which Judge Ronald Birmingham said were "vile and degrading".

"To say these images were disturbing is an understatement,"

Judge Birmingham said.

Moore, who briefly worked as a teacher before joining the police, was a decorated detective when he was arrested, having received a commendation for attempting to revive a murder victim, and being involved in church activities.

But lawyer Mark Andrews said his client also had deep underlying emotional and psychological issues including a lack of strategies to cope with job stresses.

He had lost his job as a result of the charges, Perth District Court was told, and as a former detective he will have to serve his sentence in a segregated special handling unit.

Moore pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing the material found in his home, and was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. He will be eligible for parole.

In all, more than 60 men and over 400 charges have been laid as part of Operation Thunderer, the Australian arm of the global operation emanating out of Canada.

That operation, codenamed Project Spade, was launched three years ago by Toronto police and is believed to have disbanded a global child abuse ring, and led to the arrest of almost 350 suspects worldwide.

Seven men from WA - including priests and teachers - were last week charged with various offences related to their alleged involvement.

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Protests erupt at Jakarta embassy

Julia Gillard has weighed into the Indonesian spy scandal row by suggesting Australia follow the US example.

Indonesian activists burn the Australian flag in Jakarta yesterday. Source: Getty Images

• Julia Gillard calls for us to follow Obama's example
• Role of Indonesian phone companies under the spotlight
• Tony Abbott preparing response to Indonesian president

THE Australian embassy in Jakarta is being pelted with eggs by protesters as Prime Minister Tony Abbott responds to calls for an apology from Indonesia over the phone-tapping scandal.

More than 1600 police have been deployed near the Australian and US embassies plus several other potential targets in the capital ahead of members of the hardline group, the Islamic Defenders Front, attending rallies after Friday prayers.

Already protesters in front of the Australian embassy have burnt photos of Mr Abbott and an Australian flag.

The protesters, from the Kommando Perjuan Merah Putih (Red and White Fighter Commandos) have also for a second day called for war with Australia and demanded the Australian ambassador, Greg Moriarty, be expelled from Indonesia.

"Our nation has been insulted by Australia. Let's attack them,'' one of the group shouted outside the embassy this afternoon.

Activists burn the Australian flag at the embassy in Jakarta yesterday. Source: Getty Images

The FPI has previously rallied in support of convicted terrorist and suspected Bali bombing mastermind Abu Bakar Bashir.

Mr Abbott, who has promised a swift and courteous response to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's call for apology, met with the national security committee of cabinet last night and was declining to comment today.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard today weighed into the escalating spying row, suggesting Mr Abbott follow the example of Barack Obama and provide Indonesia with an explanation of the allegations.

But the deposed Labor leader stopped short of saying the Prime Minister apologise for the actions of Australia's electronic spy agency in 2009.

Ms Gillard said it was not appropriate for her to comment on intelligence matters but she praised the way Mr Obama handled similar allegations of US phone taps on German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"If he had been aware he wouldn't have authorised it, and he could certainly say for the future that it wouldn't happen again," she told CNN.

"I think that that's an appropriate response from Australia to Indonesia at this very difficult time."

Her stance was disputed by former foreign minister Alexander Downer, who said Mr Obama went too far in confirming the US had been listening to Ms Merkel's phone and promising that it would never happen again.

"If Tony Abbott were to say 'gee I'm sorry about that', that would reveal that in fact, the allegation was true,'' he told Sky News.

Mr Downer said it had been the doctrine of Australian governments for generations neither to confirm nor deny claims relating to the nation's intelligence services.

If the doctrine was abandoned then every time an allegation was made you would have to say whether it was true or whether it was false.

Julia Gillard has weighed in on the spying scandal. Source: NewsComAu

RELATED: Aussies 'victims' of Indonesian spies

"As you do that, the whole intelligence system ... will gradually unravel,'' he said.

Mr Downer said it would be a difficult challenge to restore the relationship without compromising the effectiveness of Australia's intelligence assets.

"I think obviously Tony Abbott has to extend a friendly hand to President Yudhoyono,'' he said.

"We've got to do what we can on our part, and they've got to do what they can on their part to restore the relationship to the good shape it's been in.''

The spotlight in Indonesia has now turned to its phone companies, who have been given a week to investigate whether they helped Australian spies tap Mr Yudhoyono's phone.

Indonesia's communications minister Tifatul Sembiring has asked the chiefs of his country's 10 telcos to undertake internal investigations.

The companies potentially face charges under Indonesia's information and electronic transactions law.

Protesters make their views clear in Jakarta. Source: Getty Images

Under Indonesian law only five bodies, including the national police, state intelligence agency and anti-corruption commission, are legally allowed to intercept communications.

The nation's former intelligence chief has said the diplomatic row could be resolved with an apology from Mr Abbott.

"Just apologise and ... forgive and forget,'' Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono told the ABC.

Mr Hendropriyono admitted in a 2004 television interview that Jakarta had spied on Australia.

With the boot on the other foot, he says there must be an openness to investigating the allegations against Australia.

Tony Abbott has held urgent talks with the National Security Committee amid the escalating spy controversy.

Mr Abbott is under mounting pressure to apologise to Indonesia after receiving a letter from the president, seeking a full explanation and an apology.

He met with the national security committee of cabinet on Thursday night to consider the matter.

Mr Hendropriyono, who led Badan Intelijen Negara from 2001 to late 2004, said he would consider it his duty to spy on an Australian leader.

"If I were an intelligence officer on active duty ... I wish I could, because that is my mission,'' he told The Australian, adding spying on a friendly country could even be a friendly act.

Mr Abbott expressed similar sentiments in a statement to parliament this week, saying Australia's intelligence resources had been used to "help our friends and allies, not to harm them''.

Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite this morning also repeated Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's suggestion from earlier in the week that Mr Abbott consider following the US approach.

"Barack Obama appears to have been able to calm the situation and normalise relations by taking action,'' he told Sky News.

Protesters gathered at the Australian embassy. Source: Getty Images

Protesters burned flags and chanted anti-Australian slogans outside the Indonesian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday.

Co-operation on tackling people smuggling and the sharing of intelligence and military exercises have already been halted.

Indonesia's trade minister Gita Wirjawan has warned his country may suspend talks on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Australia.

The phone-tapping activities by Australia's Defence Signals Directorate four years ago was revealed in US National Security Agency documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

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GG backs republic, gay marriage

Quentin Bryce has publicly backed gay marriage and Australia becoming a republic in a speech delivered as part of the Boyer Lecture series. Courtesy: ABC

THE Queen's representative in Australia has reignited the republic debate by being the first serving Governor-General to publicly call for an Australian Head of State.

Quentin Bryce, who will retire in March, also supported gay marriage in a landmark speech urging greater respect and care for all Australians.

Delivering the ABC Boyer Lecture in Sydney, Ms Bryce said her vision was for a country "where people are free to love and marry whom they choose and where perhaps my friends, one day, one young girl or boy may even grow up to be our nation's first Head of State".

Greens leader Christine Milne congratulated Ms Bryce "for strong advocacy of marriage equality, a republic and an ethic of care. Real leadership".

Prime Minister Tony Abbott who led the campaign against a republic in 1999 is expected to soon announce Ms Bryce's replacement.

The PM and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten both declined to comment.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce says she supports gay marriage and thinks the nation should become a republic.

Buckingham Palace would last night not comment on Ms Bryce's remarks.

"This is a matter for her, and Buckingham Palace will not comment further," a palace spokesman said.

"In response to any questions about the future of the Monarchy in Australia, Buckingham Palace has always maintained that this is a matter for the people of Australia."

Australian Republican Movement chair Geoff Gallop said it was time to restart the conversation about an Australian head of state.

"The governor-general has served with distinction as the Queen's representative, but imagine what a powerful message it would send about this great country that we all love if we had a head of state who represented the Australian people," Professor Gallop said in a statement released shortly after the speech.

"We will always be friends with Britain, but now we should be equals.

"We need an unambiguous, independent national identity that reflects and celebrates our freedom, our unity, our values of the fair go and our place in the world."

But Victorian Liberal MP Kelly O'Dwyer, a supporter of a republic, said: "It's highly unusual for a currently serving Governor-General to advocate for a republic."

Ms O'Dwyer said she hoped the country would have a mature debate, but a republic was not the number one issue for the community.

New Liberal MP and former Channel Nine executive David Coleman used his maiden speech to Parliament to say it was wrong our Head of State was determined on who one's parents were.

"Imagine if you could only get a job at the local bank if your dad had worked there; or if you could only enter Parliament if your mother had held the seat before you. I see no difference in relation to the Head of State. This job should be opened to Australian applicants," he said.

Australia Republican Movement national director David Morris said Ms Bryce's remarks would open a new conversation about becoming a republic to reflect Australia's identity and values.

"The Queen represents British unity and Britain's values very well. We've outgrown that dependence on Britain and want to be equals," he said.

Same-sex marriage advocates were also quick to praise Ms Bryce's comments.

"The governor-general's dignified support for marriage equality will be welcomed by the many millions of Australians who support the reform," Australian Marriage Equality director Rodney Croome said in a statement.

"In particular, it will send a message to older Australians that this is a reform they can embrace because it strengthens relationships, families and marriage."

The former governor of Queensland was appointed Australia's first woman governor-general in 2008 by then-prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Governors-general serve at the Queen's pleasure but five-year appointments are typical, meaning Ms Bryce is likely nearing the end of her time in the job.

The full lecture is due to be broadcast on the ABC on Sunday.

- with Charles Miranda, wires

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Person killed in South West crash

A person has been killed after a crash on the South West Highway earlier today. Source: News Corp Australia

ONE person has been killed in a crash on the South Western Highway late today.

The crash happened just after 5pm on the highway near the intersection of Willowdale Road in the town of Wagerup, about 125km south of Perth.

The crash involved one car hitting a tree.

The age and sex of the person who died is not yet known.

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Indonesians burn Aussie flag

Damaging fallout from the spying controversy continues as Indonesia warns of protests in Jakarta.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott talking with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono back in September. AFP Photo/ Adek Berry Source: AFP

THE Australian flag has been burned by protesters in Indonesia and hundreds of riot police are on standby in Jakarta amid the ongoing fallout over the government spying controversy.

Officers have been stationed at the Australian embassy in Jakarta in preparation for protests over the tapping of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's phone.

Indonesians burn miniature flags out the front of the embassy. Picture: Twitter Source: NewsComAu

More than 100 of the Indonesian National Police's Mobile Brigade (BRIMOB), armed with riot shields and tear gas, were called to the embassy on Thursday.

Another 300 BRIMOB officers were on standby at a nearby location, a police spokesman told AAP.

There were also balaclava-clad security officers with binoculars stationed on an overpass close to the compound.

Demonstrators in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta have already burnt an Australian flag in protest over the alleged tapping as anti-Australian sentiment continues to escalate.

The large group of protesters in Yogyakarta, a hotbed of student activism, had demanded an apology from Prime Minister Tony Abbott and asked the Indonesian president to sever diplomatic ties with Canberra, reports said.

Mr Abbott and Mr Yudhoyono in Jakarta earlier this year. Pic: Adek Berry. Source: AFP

Mr Abbott addressed parliament on the controversy today, confirming he has received a letter from the Indonesian President sent in the wake of the suspension of militarily and asylum seeker cooperation.

"I want to assure the House that the government will respond swiftly, fully and courteously to the President," Mr Abbott said.

"As always, my intention is to do everything I reasonable can to strengthen this relationship which is so important to both our countries."

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten pledged bipartisan support to the government.

It's understood the government has already undertaken precautions to ensure the safety of staff at the embassy in Jakarta before today's protest.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its travel advice in response to the protest plan.

"Local police advise that a demonstration is planned for outside the Australian Embassy,'' DFAT said.

"Australians should monitor local media, avoid protests, maintain high levels of vigilance and security awareness.''

The ramping up in nationalism and anger towards Australia came as a close confidant of Dr Yudhoyono warned relations with Australia may not recover unless Mr Abbott apologised over the spying allegations that prompted the current diplomatic crisis.

Tony Abbott chats to the Treasurer Joe Hockey in parliament. Source: News Corp Australia

Ramadhan Pohan, whose niece is married to the president's oldest son, has urged Mr Abbott to apologise over the spying row by Thursday night.

Mr Ramadhan is also an MP with Dr Yudhoyono's ruling Democrat Party and a member of the parliament's powerful foreign affairs and defence committee.

``If Abbott does not apologise by (Thursday) night ... I predict that it will be the last night of Indonesia and Australia's friendship,'' Mr Ramadhan reportedly told Metrotvnews.com late on Wednesday night.

The warning came in the wake of Dr Yudhoyono's announcement on Wednesday that Indonesia was immediately cutting defence ties and co-operation on efforts aimed at combating people smuggling.

Dr Yudhoyono said he would send a letter to Mr Abbott, demanding an official apology and a full explanation as to why Australian spies targeted his mobile phone in 2009, as well as his wife's and some of his closest confidants.

Dr Yudhoyono said he wanted a personal explanation, insisting comments directed at ``Australia's domestic community'' would not suffice.

Australia's Defence Signals Directorate targeted President Yudhoyono's phone and that of his wife and senior officials in 2009, weeks after three Australians were killed in terrorist bombings in Jakarta.

Julie Bishop and John Kerry in Washington. Pic: Paul J. Richards. Source: AFP

At a joint press conference in Washington, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop refused to be drawn on the spying scandal.

Mr Kerry, speaking at the end of AUSMIN talks in Washington, refused to buy into the diplomatic row between Australia and Indonesia over spying claims.

"We just don't talk about intelligence matters in public and we're not going to begin now,'' he told reporters when asked whether the US had asked Australia to tap the phones of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his inner circle.

Australia monitors civil and military communications in Asia as part of its role in the "Five Eyes'' signals intelligence alliance that also includes the United States, Canada, the UK and New Zealand.

Washington also announced that President Barack Obama will visit Asia in April to push closer ties.

Susan Rice, Obama's adviser for national security, acknowledged disappointment after Obama called off a trip in October - which would have included Indonesia - to negotiate with Republican lawmakers who shut down the US government to stop his health care reforms.

Rice said Obama would make up with a trip in April.

"Our friends in Asia deserve and will continue to get our highest-level attention," she said.

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