Swan lauds five years in government

Wayne Swan says the MYEFO shows the government will still achieve its surplus objective despite 'storm clouds over the global economy'.

Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan lauds his government's five years in power. Picture: Ray Strange. Source: The Daily Telegraph

DEPUTY Prime Minister Wayne Swan says the government's biggest achievement is its economic management, as it marked five years since being first elected.

At a protest against state government budget cuts in Brisbane today, Mr Swan says the government had achieved plenty since 2007.

"Over the past five years we've seen the most turbulent period in the global economy since the Great Depression,'' he told reporters.

"In that five years ... Australia avoided recession, most other developed economies did not.''

Mr Swan also pointed to the rollout of the National Broadband Network and the introduction of the carbon price as major achievements.

The treasurer even paid tribute to the efforts of former prime minister Kevin Rudd, against whom he launched a blistering attack during the leadership contest in February.

"Our previous prime minister Mr Rudd made, I believe, very, very substantial contribution to ensuring that our country didn't go into recession,'' Mr Swan said.

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Our Isabelle will never be forgotten

TRAGEDY: Isabelle Colman fell from a balcony on the Gold Coast during Schoolies. Source: Supplied

THE family of Isabelle Colman is taking comfort from the words of friends who say they had never seen the teenager happier than on her last day.

The friends of Isabelle, 17, yesterday visited her grieving family to convey their final memories of a wonderful young woman whose death on the Gold Coast late on Thursday night has devastated the Schoolies festival.

"They wanted to let us know that Isabelle was really happy and they had never seen her so happy," her father Mike Colman told The Courier-Mail on Friday night.

"She was having a great time. She was with her friends. She was really happy."

But Mike says he and his wife Linda, their daughters, 22 and 20, and 12-year-old son will never know the details of Isabelle's final hours.

Police say she was alone when she fell from a balcony on the 26th floor of the Chevron Renaissance about 9.30pm. Paramedics treated Isabelle but she could not be revived.

"We don't know what happened and we probably never will," Mike said.

'MUCH-LOVED': The loss of Isabelle Colman rocked schoolies on the Gold Coast.

"I don't think police will ever know. It's a natural thing to draw conclusions but we probably won't know."

Mike is an assistant editor of The Courier-Mail, a Walkley Award-winning journalist and one of the nation's finest writers and commentators.

But his family is his passion. The care and attention Mike has brought to his journalism have always been outshone by the love he and Linda have had for their four children.

"We're a very close and loving family. And we're not a broken family," Mike said.

"We just want to be close with each other at this time."

The Colmans were supported by family and friends yesterday as the wider school community began taking in the news of Isabelle's death.

Alison Terrey, the principal of Isabelle's former school Mt St Michael's, described a young woman who was popular and loved within the Ashgrove school.

"Isabelle was an enthusiastic and much-loved member of the College community," Ms Terrey said.

"She was a class captain, so she was respected by her peers and by her teachers," Ms Terrey said. "She carried out those responsibilities really well.

"She had a great interest in photography, in drama and the creative arts, and she was hoping to continue her studies in that area.

"It's the worst nightmare that could possibly happen to the family. They've had three girls in the college, this was their youngest daughter. We know them very well, and please keep them in your prayers as well."

Police officers who spent Thursday night and Friday morning with the Colmans were praised for their compassion and professionalism.

Counsellors from the Red Frogs group helped to support grieving friends and fellow schoolies who struggled to comprehend Isabelle's death.

"The police have been absolutely superb right from the first ones who came to see us last night. That has to be the worst job in the world but they did it with great feeling," Mike said.

"And the police officer we saw on the Gold Coast was also outstanding. He was supposed to have had the next two days off but he's stayed around to make sure everything has been OK.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has helped us. We can't say enough of how appreciative we are of the support.

"We have requested privacy and we've very much appreciated that this has been respected."

Assistant police commissioner Graham Rynders said investigations into Isabelle's death would continue and that he would not speculate on the events leading to her death.

"It is inappropriate to discuss the lead up to her tragic death," Mr Rynders said.

"There are still a lot of people we need to talk to."

For help, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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Dumped baby woman 'unaware pregnant'

Police at the scene where a newborn baby was found dead in the front yard of a Charters Towers home. Photo: Katrina Hinschen, Northern Miner Source: Townsville Bulletin

THE woman accused of dumping her newborn baby in the backyard of a home says she didn't know she was pregnant until she was in labour.

The 21-year-old, who cannot be named, came home from a pub in Charters Towers, south-west of Townsville, at 2am on November 4, and started having contractions, a court heard yesterday, the Townsville Bulletin reports.

It was revealed the woman, who is accused of dumping her baby, allegedly tried to hide a previous pregnancy.

The woman appeared in court yesterday accused of giving birth to a boy and trying to conceal his body.

Police found a "large amount of blood" under a mango tree in the yard. They also found a shallow hole next to a palm tree at the back of the property in which were a black-and-white striped skirt and a bath towel, both soiled.

Police prosecutor Lescha Palmore said the woman told police the baby was stillborn.

"She said that morning she started to get stomach pains and started to have contractions," she said.

"She gave birth on the patio area. She got a skirt and placed the child in a skirt."

Ms Palmore said the deceased newborn was a "full-term baby" of at least 40 weeks' gestation.

The court was told the woman's family had no idea she was pregnant.

She said she wanted to tell her aunt after giving birth, but didn't because the lights were out.

The baby's body was found about 7am on November 4 by a resident as she went out to feed the pet dog.

Ms Palmore said the defendant had concealed a previous pregnancy when she was carrying her first child, now 21 months old.

"She told her sister she was pregnant but that she terminated it, and six months later she gave birth," she said.

Read more about this story at the

Townsville Bulletin online

.

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Woman's 434 unpaid fines, $112000 debt

One of Transurbans toll roads. A woman has 434 unpaidn fines. Source: Bloomberg

• Unpaid toll fees and parking offences
• Told court that her daughter had used her car
• Court approves 15-year repayment plan

A WOMAN who racked up 434 unpaid fines and costs of $112,000, appeared in court yesterday claiming she "wasn't aware of the severity" of the fines.

Malvina Moffatt, of Geelong, Victoria, asked Geelong Magistrates Court to grant a six to eight week adjournment saying she hadn't had the opportunity to obtain legal advice because she was working full-time, Geelong Advertiser reports.

When asked by Magistrate Ron Saines whether she had made any attempt to pay off the amount owing, Ms Moffatt said she had made some recent payments.

Mr Saines said most of Ms Moffatt's unpaid fines appeared to have stemmed from unpaid toll fees, with some parking matters as well.

Ms Moffatt told the court she had not driven on any tollways for more than six months, but her daughter had used her car and was working in Melbourne.

Ms Moffatt said she worked full-time for the Education Department in Geelong and took home $1100 per week and was prepared to enter a payment plan.

Asked how much she could afford to pay each week, Ms Moffatt said she wasn't sure.

Mr Saines said he would agree to an adjournment request, but only until December 13, to allow Ms Moffatt to obtain legal representation.

The magistrate directed her to pay $150 per week, and to produce all her receipts upon her return to court on December 13, both in relation to the recent payments and those up to the adjournment date.

At $150 per week it would take Ms Moffatt more than 15 years to pay off her fines.

Read the full story at the Geelong Advertiser online
 

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Bring back temporary protection visas

Shadow Immigration Minister Scott Morrison in Cronulla. Picture: Rohan Kelly Source: The Sunday Telegraph

• Measure to deter boat people seeking permanent residence
• Policy was introduced when John Howard was Prime Minister

THE Federal Opposition is seeking to put an end to people smuggling by attempting to reintroduce temporary protection visas.

The shadow immigration minister Scott Morrison said themeasure was needed to regain control of Australia's borders frompeople trying to enter the country by boat, in the hope of securing permanent residency.

Mr Morrison, speaking on the fifth anniversary of the Labor party's election to power, told reporters in Sydney today: "Five years ago, we had secure borders. Five years ago, we had policies that worked.

Tony Abbott to shut door on tide of boat people

"Five years later, that's no longer the case. Over 30,000 people have arrived and they are arriving on boats at a rate of 2,000 a month.''

He said the government had to "put back in the tool box the policies that worked''.

"One of the most important of those policies the government needs to put back in the tool box is temporary protection visas,'' he said.

He will seek to introduce a private members' bill in parliament next week. Under the proposal, the visas would only last until it was safe for people to return to their home country.

"They are temporary. They are not a permanent bridge to permanent residence as the government's bridging visa proposal is,'' he said.

"At the end of a term of a temporary protection visa, a person's refugee status is reassessed and if it's found they are no longer in need of our protection, they can be returned home.''

Opposition leader Tony Abbott said the visa would be a solution to the asylum seeker problem.

"While the current government has completely lost control of our borders, there is a better way and there would be a better way under the coalition government,'' said Mr Abbott.

"We have got to deny the people smugglers a product to sell. The best way to do that is to well and truly establish the understanding that if you come to Australia by boat, you can't hope to get permanent residency.''

Temporary protection visas were abolished in 2008.

Under the coalition policy, they would be valid for up to three years, with visa holders having no family reunion rights.

Under the coalition's proposal, visa holders would not be able to return to Australia if they left the country for any reason and could only apply for permanent residence with ministerial approval.

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Bert in intensive care after surgery

After undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery, television veteran Bert Newton is now recovering in intensive care.

Bert Newton with his granddaughter, Lola, at Epworth Hospital. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

UPDATE: BERT Newton is recovering in intensive care at the Epworth Hospital after quadruple bypass heart surgery that went to plan.

Patti Newton told waiting media that it is a relief that the five-and-a -half-hour operation has been completed.

"I just went and saw him for a second and he is not a pretty sight at the moment, but hopefully that will get better,'' she said.

"But it's early days yet.

"At least he got through the operation and that's the main thing.''

In a statement the Epworth Hospital said everything went to plan with the operation.

"His surgeon said everything proceeded according to plan and he is very happy with how things went,'' the statement said.

"Bert is now resting comfortably in intensive care.

"We are keeping a close eye on him in the ICU as we do all our patients.''

Newton told the Herald Sun from his hospital bed yesterday that he was looking forward to a full recovery after weeks if not months of rehab.

"Getting back to normal is quite a long journey,'' he said.

"I'll be in rehab, and probably wont be precisely 100 per cent for about two or three months, but I accept that.

"Because the good news is that there is every chance I will be back to normal.''

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Grass fire threatens two homes

Ash Hales sits with his daughter Brooke, 21, outside their house in McIntosh Rd, Little River. The fire was stopped just before their house. Picture: Jon Hargest Source: Herald Sun

TWO houses were threatened after an out-of-control burn-off spread from surrounding grass in the state's southwest.

Four tankers attended the fire, in McIntosh Rd, Little River, which is about 8km from the Avalon Airport.

The blaze spread from a burn-off on private land was brought under control at 2.15pm.

A second burn-off in the area, also from a private property, had also escalated and but was now under control.

The fire in Mambourin has 15 trucks battling the blaze.

The Mambourin fire is about 14km from the Little River fire.

House fire in McIntosh Rd in Little River

House fire in McIntosh Rd in Little River

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Cut cable causes train chaos

Ken Prokopec waits for a V/Line service at Southern Cross Station. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

A BROKEN cable at Southern Cross Station was blamed for a six-hour paralysis of Melbourne's train system as five metropolitan lines were left suspended.

V/Line trains at Southern Cross were also halted at about 9am, throwing passengers into chaos, after a contractor for the Regional Rail Link project damaged the signalling cable.

Buses replaced trains on large sections of the Craigieburn, Upfield, Werribee, Sunbury and Williamstown lines while other passengers were told to take a tram or find another way to travel as the mercury climbed to 32C in the city.

VicTrack spokesman Mac Henshall said they had worked "furiously" to reverse the meltdown, with services returning to normal by mid-afternoon.

A passenger gets an update on the train delays at Southern Cross Station. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

He said the fault was caused when the contractor to VicTrack cut the major cable during works.

"We don't know how this occurred and we were very surprised but we will get to the bottom of it," Mr Henshall said.

"We know a lot of people have been disrupted and we sincerely apologise to all those affected."

Train passengers are delayed at Southern Cross Station. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

He said VicTrack was handling telecommunications for the Regional Rail Link project and today's work was part of that.

Michial Hemphill, of Footscray, found no staff on hand to direct him to a bus, for which he waited more than 20 minutes after major disruptions at Southern Cross.

"It's normally a 20-minute trip and it's already taken more than an hour," he said.

A passenger waits for the trains to resume services at Southern Cross Station. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

"There's nobody to tell you what's going on or where to go.

"We're just left stranded."

Schoolies Isabella Varrasso, Stephanie Denami and Jacob Marchett, bound for Phillip Island after finishing exams last week, were forced to walk with suitcases between Flinders St Station and Southern Cross.

A passenger asks for an update from a rail officer at Southern Cross Station. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

"We weren't told anything when we got (to Flinders St)," Miss Varrasso said.

"Somebody else on the platform told us the trains weren't going."

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