Worst customer service ever?

Sue and Steve Williams attempted to buy a portable solar panel online through website Oz Best Buys but ended up disgusted at the treatment Sue received by the online customer service representative. Photo: Damien Kelly Source: Supplied

A PERTH grandmother is "disgusted" at her treatment by an online customer service representative who called her a "stupid c---" for asking when her purchase would be shipped.

But the man who sent the email is unrepentant and told The Sunday Times he didn't want "f---ing idiots" as customers.

Sue Williams and husband Steve attempted to buy a portable solar panel online through website Oz Best Buys on Sunday night.

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Storms bring floods and crash chaos

A SEVERE weather warning has been cancelled for parts of Perth and the South West after heavy storms swept over the region this afternoon.

An Instagram post by Fremantle Docker Hayden Ballantyne of a flooded Rushton Park in Mandurah. "Little bit of rain in old Mandurah..." Source: Supplied

The Bureau of Meteorology said a strong cold front moved over the South West, bringing downpours and high gusts.

Gusts of 96km/h were recorded at Rottnest Island at midday before the cold front swept east in the early afternoon.

More than 24mm of rain was dumped on Mandurah in the space of an hour as local sports matches were called off.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said SES volunteers were dispatched to homes hit by minor flood damage across the region.

Ten minor crashes were reported on Perth roads by 2pm, with flooding reported at Mounts Bay Road and Mitchell Freeway.

The front continues to move east and will lie near Southern Cross to Esperance this evening and will continue to weaken.

Dangerous gusts are no longer expected, although some squally conditions with possible heavy falls will continue overnight, particularly near the south coast where small hail is possible.

STORMS HIT PERTH

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‘Goodnight sweetie, can we have sex?’

Dr John Barry Myers is facing misconduct allegations at the State Administrative Tribunal. Photo: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

A VICTORIAN doctor groped and requested oral sex from a 68-year-old woman admitted to a regional WA hospital for depression and suicidal thoughts, a tribunal has been told.

John Barry Myers is facing professional misconduct allegations brought to the State Administrative Tribunal by the Medical Board of Australia.

Dr Myers, who is suspended from practising, worked at Geraldton Regional Hospital as a locum physician for three months in 2012.

During that time he allegedly fondled the woman's breast and bottom, hugged her, made advances for oral sex and came into her room after dark to kiss her on the cheek and say "goodnight sweetie".

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, this week told the SAT hearing "with all of his past history he shouldn't have even been near me".

Dr Myers had four previous adverse findings against him through the Medical Board of Victoria and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal from 2001 to 2013.

The 2013 finding resulted in the cancellation of registration for a year.

The previous findings against him were not used in evidence this week. But he was asked why he did not tell the WA Country Health Service about a 2001 disciplinary act­ion involving an indecent ass­ault conviction when he applied for the locum role.

He denied trying to deceive his employer by not disclosing the conviction

Dr Myers represented himself during this week's hearing. He was not allowed to ask questions directly while the pat­ient gave evidence via video link because his voice was too distressing for her.

The woman said she even asked nurses if Dr Myers was really a doctor because she could not believe how he behaved.

"A real doctor wouldn't sit there and ask me to suck his private parts," she said.

Dr Myers argued he did not fondle or make advances, accusing her of being manipulative to get attention from her family.

He said he had only given advice, telling her to "suck his (her husband's) c--k and put it between your breasts".

The tribunal heard Dr Myers was not the now-70-year-old's treating doctor at the time and only needed to monitor her physical progress.

He admitted seeing her three or four times a day, often alone in her room, during her stay in hospital, but it was recorded in hospital notes that he saw her only twice with an intern doctor. The patient's psychiatrist and mental health case officer told the SAT the woman had never presented to them as manipulative and her ordeal had put her under great stress.

A Health Department spokeswoman said Dr Myers completed all relevant documentation and provided referees before being employed.

The SAT is yet to reach a verdict.

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Gridlock drives fast-track plan

Most West Australians are able to see a doctor within two days, according to the results of the WA Speaks survey.

A plan to allow cars carrying passengers to use bus express lanes on freeways is being considered by the State Government. Source: News Limited

CARS carrying passengers would be able to use express bus lanes on freeways and highways under a proposal being considered by the Barnett Government.

In a bid to ease Perth's traffic woes, Transport Minister Dean Nalder wants to encourage more people to car pool on their commute to work.

He's also looking at the potential for "reversible lanes" that change direction during rush hour. Motorists could also be allowed to use freeway emergency lanes during peak periods.

Mr Nalder commented after being confronted with the results of the WA Speaks survey, conducted by The Sunday Times and Nine News.

The poll, based on the views of more than 6000 respondents, confirmed the state's love affair with the motor vehicle despite 55 per cent of the people who commute saying the time taken has blown out.

Just 8 per cent of West Australians who drive to work have embraced car pooling.

Sixty-seven per cent of respondents who commute to work do so by motor vehicle – almost exactly the same response found in a similar 2011 poll.

Commutes by train (9 per cent), bus (5 per cent) and bicycle (2 per cent) all trail far behind.

WA's car-centric outlook is further underlined by respondents saying priority to ease congestion should be given to extending and widening freeways ahead of other transport options such as light rail.

Other major findings from the survey, analysed by the nation's leading poll company Galaxy Research, include:

67 PER CENT of West Australians are optimistic about the state's future.

JUST 12 PER CENT consider Colin Barnett to be the best person to lead the state.

67 PER CENT said they had not prospered from the mining boom.

61 PER CENT of respondents with a home loan were facing housing stress.

TWO-THIRDS oppose the Barnett Government's shark catch-and-kill policy.

WA Transport Minister Dean Nalder Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Nalder said that while some motorists may have good reason to carry no passengers, the percentage of sole-occupancy cars was too high.

He has instructed officials to look at creating more dedicated bus lanes, with the potential for opening them up to ride-sharers.

He would "definitely consider" allowing carpoolers to use Perth's existing bus lanes.

"I know it occurs in other places and as our city grows we need to look more innovatively at the way we do things," he said.

"The priority would be to make sure that public transport is not held up, but I will discuss further with the department to see if it can be considered."

Mr Nalder said he wanted to use existing lanes in a "smarter way", such as allowing cars to use the emergency lane on freeways during peak traffic periods, to keep traffic flowing,.

"I have a particular interest on Kwinana Freeway around Canning Bridge where it gets blocked up every morning," he said.

"I'd like to look at whether from Canning Bridge through to the Narrows we can utilise the emergency lane during peak period times just to see if we can keep that traffic flow."

He said car pooling wasn't popular in Perth because historically the city had never suffered from traffic congestion.

Allowing carpoolers into bus lanes needed to be "thought through" further to avoid scams used by drivers elsewhere.

In Sydney, cars with two or more passengers are permitted to use special transit lanes, along with buses, taxis and motorcycles.

"I've heard stories that you need to check for cardboard cutouts (in passenger seats), but I think there are opportunities and we should be considering those sorts of things," Mr Nalder said.

He is also looking at the potential for reversible lanes during peak hour, as on Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The concept is similar to the reversible lane on the Narrows Bridge in the 1980s, but instead of a boom gate it would be operated by traffic lights.

Mr Nalder cited Canning Highway in his constituency as an example of where dedicated express and reversible lanes could be introduced.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Deidre Willmott said congestion was hurting productivity, reducing staff punctuality and resulting in higher fuel costs.

Labor transport spokesman Ken Travers said the Barnett Government's failure to expand the city's railway in recent years was the real problem.

The WA Speaks survey shows the perception of public transport in WA is not good, with 41 per cent viewing it as "poor" or "very poor".

Thirty-four per cent said it was "satisfactory".

More than half had experienced violence while using public transport and anti-social behaviour was the top reason more people didn't switch to buses or trains.

Mr Nalder said the poor perception of public transport was "concerning" and he took the feedback seriously.

He said authorities needed to educate the public that travelling by bus or train was safe, pointing to the network's 10,000 CCTV cameras.

A drop in Transperth pat-ronage over the past year was the result of a downturn in the economy and service shutdowns caused by Perth City Link construction works, he added.

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Dad released over baby gas death

THE father of a baby girl who died from suspected gas exposure on Wednesday night has been released without charge.

But the tragic death is still being investigated as a suspected homicide.

Fung Lai Chun, also known as Calvin, was apparently alone with his 11-month old daughter when they both succumbed to gas poisoning at their house in Harrisdale.

He had been in police custody since his release from hospital yesterday morning and was assisting police with their inquiries, but was released without charge yesterday.

WA Police can only hold suspects for 12 hours without the permission of a magistrate. It is understood the court granted one extension.

Mother Yong Si Yen arrived home at the Pricklystreet Street address about 10pm on Wednesday and found her daughter unconscious.

She drove the child to a nearby 24-hour gym and asked for help.

Ryan Shreeve, who was at Jett Fitness in Canning Vale when the distraught young mother arrived, told Nine News that he called an ambulance and checked the baby's pulse, but "there was nothing there".

The child was pronounced dead at Armadale Hospital a short time later.

Meanwhile, emergency services went to the couple's home and carried out the unconscious Mr Fung, taking him to Royal Perth Hospital.

Neighbours said the street reeked of gas.

A spokesman for WA Police said the major crime squad was still investigating the girl's death.

A post-mortem will be conducted next week.

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Hostel warden charged with sex crimes

CHILD abuse squad detectives have charged a 69-year-old man, who is currently in prison, with two additional charges relating to historic child sex offences.

Police allege the offences occurred between 1975 and 1988 when the offender was a warden at a regional WA hostel.

He is expected to appear in the Katanning Magistrates Court on July 15.

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Minister leaves protesters hungry

The Aviary Restaurant in Perth, where protesters turned up to target Mathias Cormann only to discover he wasn't there. Source: News Limited

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann Source: News Corp Australia

PROTESTERS annoyed the wrong lunching businesspeople in Perth after they turned up at a CBD restaurant expecting to badger Mathias Cormann — but the Finance Minister wasn't there.

About 50 people protesting cuts to health, education and welfare in the federal government's budget rallied outside The Aviary restaurant, where they had heard the minister would be hosting an exclusive $250-a-head business luncheon.

While the protest alert was sent out days ago, it is believed the event was cancelled last month.

To the annoyance of shoppers and workers on their lunch break, the protesters remained in the area for over an hour, chanting slogans and spruiking the demise of the Abbott government.

Many wore top hats and held fake cigars to mock the now infamous pre-budget cigar-smoking footage of Mr Cormann and Treasurer Joe Hockey, but ended up flogging socialist newspapers.

It was one of several protests against the federal government's tough budget and its asylum seeker policy on Friday.

A protester angry about job losses and university fees lunged at Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's car as she left a C20 summit in Melbourne.

The man was arrested in the middle of the street, with a group of a dozen protesters chanting "This is a peaceful protest" and then "Let him go" as he was being handled by police.

In Fremantle, south of Perth, refugee advocates picketed near a press conference held by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison where he presided at the naming ceremony of the Australian Customs and Border Protection vessel Thaiyak.

One protester said it was a cruel irony the ceremony, paid for with taxpayers' money, was being held on World Refugee Day.

At another event in Perth, a 400-strong crowd of seniors rallying against cuts to concessions pushed the Town Hall to capacity, forcing dozens of elderly people to stand outside the building.

The budget has been described as having the toughest impact on Australians in almost two decades.

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Albany couple called euthanasia group

AN elderly couple found dead at an Albany property were suffering serious illnesses and had contacted a euthanasia group.

Police were called to a property on Morley Place in Middleton Beach at 8.40am this morning, where they found two bodies.

Major Crime Squad detectives are looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the couple.

Carol O'Neil, the Perth chapter coordinator of euthanasia organisation Exit International, said she was contacted by the couple about six months ago.

She said Sheila and Geoffrey, both aged in their 80's, requested information about euthanasia.

"The general gist of the conversation was they wanted some information about how to end their life peacefully from exit international," Ms O'Neil said.

"Both had quite progressive and serious neurological diseases and both were both quite unwell and were struggling with day to day things.

She said Sheila suffered from multiple sclerosis and Geoffrey had Parkinson's disease.

Ms O'Neil said the couple "didn't want to go to a nursing home or be more dependent on other people."

Ms O'Neil was unable to confirm if the couple had euthanized themselves.

Anyone with information about the circumstances of the couple's deaths are asked to call police on 131 444.

• If you are thinking about suicide, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

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Sattler sues former employer

Howard Sattler is suing his former employer Fairfax Media for unfair dismissal. Source: News Limited

HOWARD Sattler has sued his former employer Fairfax Media for unfair dismissal after Perth's 6PR sacked the shock jock for asking Julia Gillard if her partner was gay.

Sattler's lawyer, Nick Stagg of Lavan Legal, said the writ had been filed in the WA Supreme Court this week but was yet to be served on the media company.

Sattler flagged the action after he was terminated in June last year, saying he had been unfairly dismissed because the former prime minister had known it was going to be a candid interview and he still had six months left on his contract.

Howard Sattler was sacked by 6PR after he asked then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard if her partner was gay. Picture: File image Source: News Limited

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Buswell bin tip ‘never followed up’

Former treasurer Troy Buswell fronts the media for first time since crashing his ministerial car in February. Source: News Corp Australia

A SECURITY guard reported seeing Troy Buswell empty a bin full of bottles in the basement of a government building the morning he crashed his car,a parliamentary committee report has revealed.

Police were made aware of the sighting, but it did not appear it was followed up, the inquiry found.

The committee that examined the police investigation into Mr Buswell's late-night car crashes has concluded the response was inadequate.

Mr Buswell quit cabinet following revelations he had a mental breakdown after crashing into parked cars, a pole and the front gate of his Subiaco home while returning from a wedding in the early hours of February 23.

The damaged front of Troy Buswell's ministerial car, which was towed away for further police examination. Picture: Nine News

Before Mr Buswell returned to parliament as a backbencher last month, he told reporters he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression, but refused to answer whether he was drunk when the crashes occurred.

The inquiry also revealed the bizarre sighting of Mr Buswell by a security guard at Dumas House – where the then-treasurer worked – in the early hours of February 23.

The committee said it was appropriate that Department of Premier and Cabinet director general Peter Conran had "in a timely fashion" made police aware of the sighting.

"It does, however, appear that this was never followed up by police," the committee said in its report.

"Given ongoing questions about where Mr Buswell went immediately after the wedding reception and where he parked his car, this lack of follow-up is perplexing."

The report says police ordered CCTV footage from Dumas House parking areas, including the garaged area, between 10pm on February 22 and 2am on February 23.

Premier Colin Barnett told Parliament today CCTV was handed over to the police but there was no vision of the Vasse MP emptying anything into a bin.

The opposition-instigated inquiry examined matters including how police investigated the crashes on the night, the subsequent conduct of the investigation and collection of evidence, the decision to prosecute and the charges laid.

Mr Buswell was fined $3100 and disqualified from driving for one year after he admitted to 11 traffic offences committed during the ill-fated journey, but did not face drink-driving charges because he was not breathalysed on the night.

Police went to Mr Buswell's home following a tip off from a member of the public who reported seeing a man who resembled the treasurer barely able to stand as he struggled to get into the property.

But when they arrived, the lights were off, the gate was closed and no-one was around.

The traffic offence charges including failing to stop after an accident were only laid after the scandal was exposed in the media.

"The Committee has come to the conclusion that there was a systemic failure at a number of levels on the evening," the report on the inquiry read.

"There was an inadequate police response; Dignitary Protection were unaware of the then state Treasurer's car registration or home address; police subsequently let any investigation lapse and left it to the media to join the dots."

The committee said police did not make the connection between the report of erratic driving outside Mr Buswell's home and the smashed cars parked in nearby streets.

"No follow-up occurred between the taking of these initial reports and media reports which surfaced some weeks later," the committee said.

"Only at that time, when police came under public scrutiny, did they spring into action.

"By that time, however, long after the event, any deficiencies in the original investigation could not readily be corrected."

The committee said the investigation was then conducted under the false assumption that no charges could be laid in the absence of a breathalyser reading.

But traffic police didn't cop the blame for not knowing the house they visited was Mr Buswell's residence and that he was behind the wheel of the erratically driven Holden Caprice because it was up to the government's dignitary protection unit to maintain and update adequate records on such matters.

And because they initially did not know they were looking into the conduct of a minister, police could not be accused of treating the incident more leniently.

"The police were let down by an unsophisticated communications system which did not reveal connections between events which were clearly linked," the committee concluded.

"The police investigation was then hampered by the refusal of the Member for Vasse to be interviewed."

The committee said one of the most concerning findings of the inquiry was that drink drivers had been sent the message they could evade a conviction if they laid low.

WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has rejected the committee's finding of a systemic failure on the night of the incident.

"The police did what they did based on the information they had on the night," he said.

Mr O'Callaghan also noted dissent in the committee after deputy chairman, Liberal MP Ian Britza, said he tendered the "minority report" with great reluctance.

Premier Colin Barnett said it was time to let Mr Buswell get on with recovering from bipolar disorder and depression.

But Labor leader Mark McGowan said questions remained about revelations about the security guard's sighting of Mr Buswell at Dumas House.

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