Pollies benefit as workers take a hit

POLITICIANS on generous taxpayer-funded defined benefits would be thousands of dollars better off than ordinary workers whose superannuation earnings will be slugged, the Opposition said last night.

Treasury modelling shows a retired politician on a pension of $250,000 a year would only be hit $13,125 a year in an equivalent impost set by actuaries.

Their notional earnings would be set at $187,500 for the purpose of calculating their hit, leaving them to pay 15 per cent tax on $87,500.

Super earnings above $100,000 will be hit with a 15 per cent tax, the government announced yesterday.

"They are being totally hypocritical, they are going after people who have been working and saving a lifetime to get themselves in a position where they can enjoy a comfortable retirement when they are in the top 0.2 per cent," Opposition superannuation spokesman Mathias Cormann said.

Treasurer Wayne Swan and Superannuation Minister Bill Shorten say the hit will affect just 16,000 people. Picture: Kym Smith

"They will not pay anywhere near the tax they will ask other people who have worked hard to fund their retirement to.

"Prime Minister Julia Gillard's taxpayer-funded pension is estimated to be around $177,000 a year with the total value of her pension estimated at more than $7 million.

The government will release draft legislation within weeks to apply equivalent superannuation changes introduced last year to Federal MPs' pensions and Federal judges.

It is understood it will also apply an equivalent of yesterday's hit.

A constitutional lawyer said the government could face a High Court challenge if it attempted to apply the impost to judges.

News Limited can reveal judges and state Members of Parliament will escape a hit on their pensions because the Federal Government found it would be unconstitutional.

The Federal Government has left state judges and state MPs out of the draft legislation, preserving their generous tax-payer funded defined benefit pensions.

Ordinary workers on $300,000 or more were slugged with a $3750 impost in last year's budget when the government doubled the tax rate on concessional contributions.

State judges were successful in a High Court challenge of the Howard government's super surcharge which found a limit to the Federal Government's power.

Constitutional lawyer George Williams said the government could also face a challenge if it attempts to take money from federal judges.

"When it comes to existing federal judges they (the government) are very much limited in what they can do, judges aren't allowed to have their pay decreased, the reason for that is you don't want money taken from judges if government don't like their decisions,'' Mr Williams said.

A leading organisation made up of judges and magistrates said it would wait to see the detail of the proposed legislation but did not rule out a High Court challenge.

Chair of the Judicial Conference's Governing Council Justice Philip McMurdo said there was a question whether judge's pensions could be hit "in a way that stands up to the constitution''.

He said judges in the Federal Court, Family Court and Federal Magistrate's Court are governed "by a provision in the constitution that says the remuneration of a judge cannot reduced.

"It just all depends on the detail.''

The Gillard government says only about 16,000 retirees will be impacted by changes to tax on super earnings.

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Killer mum to be deported to Australia

Australians Curtis and Allyson McConnell with their children Conner and Jayden, whowere found dead in their home in Canad. Allyson Mcconnell is to be deported on Monday after serving 10 months of a 15-month jail sentence for manslaughter. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

ALLYSON McConnell, the Australian mother convicted of drowning her two young sons in Canada, will be deported to her homeland next week, a report says.

Allyson McConnell's jail term ended yesterday after she served 10 months of her 15-month sentence in an Alberta hospital.

Allyson McConnell drowned in two young sons in bath. court told

Albertan authorities had been expected to ask the Canadian government to stop the deportation so that appeals could be heard.

But Canada's federal Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews said Alberta's justice minister was too late in asking for the stay of deportation when McConnell's case was reviewed by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada on Friday (Saturday AEDT), local CBC news reported.

The review follows protests by McConnell's former husband, Curtis McConnell, and Alberta authorities who lodged appeals against what they deemed was the Australian's lenient sentence and conviction for manslaughter, rather than murder.

They wanted the appeals to be heard before she leaves Canada. The deportation review scheduled McConnell to leave on Monday (local time) for Australia, CBC reported.

Until then, 34-year-old McConnell would remain in the Edmonton psychiatric hospital.

Meanwhile, Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis said the prosecution service would press ahead with its appeals, CBC reported.

"Whether or not Ms McConnell remains in Canada, Albertans can be assured that the prosecution service is pressing ahead with these appeals and will continue to seek justice in this case,'' Denis said in a statement.

McConnell, who suffered depression, drowned 10-month-old Jayden and two-and-a-half-year-old Connor in the bathtub of their family home in Millet, Alberta, in 2010.

The judge who convicted McConnell of the lesser charge of manslaughter found she did not have the requisite intent for murder.

McConnell moved to Canada in 2005 from her home on the NSW Central Coast, met Curtis McConnell and they married.

However, the marriage soured and the McConnells were engaged in a bitter divorce before the deaths, with McConnell desperate to take her boys back to her home town of Gosford.

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Outrage over sex art near school

The sex shop at 96 Goodwood Road, Goodwood, displaying the graphic artwork in the front window. Picture: Dean Martin Source: adelaidenow

• Tell us: Is the image too graphic for a suburban high street? Post comments below

THIS is the graphic artwork in a sex store window which confronts families and children on busy Goodwood Road, less than 500m from the Goodwood Primary School.

The bondage scene - on display at the Adult Products At No 96 store, at Goodwood - shows a woman with her legs apart, her private parts covered with a playing card, a menacing-looking man leering at her in the background.

As far as the community can tell, no one can do anything about it.

adelaidenow was contacted on Friday by parents who believe that the image is both demeaning to women and too graphic for public display.

Goodwood mum Julie Halbert, a mother of four girls under the age of 15, was passing the sex shop near the tramline with her children on Friday afternoon when she saw the image.

"Until they put this display up I couldn't have cared less but this latest effort is really not OK," Julie said.

"On so many levels it is such a horrible depiction of a woman with her legs apart and this man leering over her.

"It is the fact that it is so derogatory to women and so graphic and prominent that is the problem.

"I rang the Unley Council and they couldn't have been more pathetic, they said there was nothing they could do and that I should ring the police. But I am sure the police have got better things to do."

Another local parent said it was "bizarre" that there were three sex shops in the space of a kilometre along Goodwood Road in an area which has a primary school, family-run cafes and a cinema that regularly screens children's movies.

"I'm not a wowser but it is pretty annoying that you can take your kids to see Happy Feet at the Capri Cinema and when you walk out the front you have to explain to them that the shop directly opposite called The Pink Pussy is not actually a pet shop," the father said.

The owner of Adult Products at No. 96, who did not want to be named, said she commissioned the artwork to appear at Barrio - the hugely popular over-18s nightclub that ran during the Festival of Arts.

She said she has received only positive comments about the image, produced by Brisbane graffiti artist Sofles, who has done work for Red Bull and Adidas.

"It was so hugely accepted at the Festival and I made a decision to have it up as a window display for a short period of time," she said.

"We have our windows (displays) changed on a very regular basis ... it will be coming down shortly, before Mother's Day (on May 12)

"I never want to offend anyone. Had I received a negative response I would have taken it down immediately."

She said playing cards were added to "strategic areas" on the original artwork before it was displayed in her store. 

adelaidenow is attempting to reach Unley Mayor Lachlan Clyne for comment.

The Sunday Mail and your local Messenger newspaper would also like to hear from you about any similar issues in your area.

Email mailedit@news.com.au

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Finks bikie arrested over club bashing

A fourth bikie has been arrested for the savage bashing of a senior colleague in February.
  Source: adelaidenow

A FINKS bikie was arrested this morning for the savage bashing of a senior colleague at the outlaw motorcycle gang's clubrooms at Middle Row, Salisbury, in February.

The 41-year-old is the fourth man arrested by outlaw Crime Gangs Task Force detectives.

The bikie from Mile End has been charged with aggravated cause serious harm and aggravated robbery and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police are still trying to identify a fifth suspect involved in the assault, which took place about 3.10pm on February 13.

The bashing victim suffered serious injuries including collapsed lungs, broken jaw, broken leg and other facial fractures.

He was also robbed of jewellery during the attack, which police strongly suspected was as a result of a falling out amongst Finks members.

Since the assault police have raided a number of locations and seized items for forensic testing.

Today's arrest follows a swoop by police on Friday resulting in the capture of three men over the bashing: cruiserweight boxer Mostyn Niemann, 26, from Hendon, Bozidar Cecic, 22, of no fixed address and a 20-year-old from Albert Park.

All were charged with aggravated cause serious harm and aggravated robbery and appeared in court yesterday.

Two are Finks members and one is a Finks associate.

Detective Superintendent John DeCandia, Officer in Charge Crime Gangs Task Force, yesterday appealed for public help to help identify the outstanding suspect.

"We are seeking information from the community, which can be provided anonymously, to identify and locate him," he said.

"The investigation is on-going and further arrests have not been ruled out.

"Gang violence will not be tolerated and we will take action to ensure that those responsible are arrested and made to account for their actions."

Police encourage anyone with information that may assist to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au

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Woman found dead 'had child'

HOMICIDE squad detectives were called out to Ballarat where a woman has been found dead.

Paramedics were called to the house with reports of an assault just before 11am, but the woman was found dead on their arrival.

It remains unclear whether police have anyone in custody.

One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun the victim had a small child.

''It's a big shock and a terrible shame,'' she said.

''The woman has a small child, but I've not seen them for about two weeks.''

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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WikiLeaks to run Senate candidates

Julian Assange is still holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Source: AFP

THE WikiLeaks Party will run Senate candidates in Victoria, NSW and Western Australia, including a yet to be named running mate for Julian Assange, who would fill the Victorian seat if Assange was elected but unable to return to the country.

The candidates will be announced over the next few weeks.

Campaign director Greg Barns said the party had not ruled out running candidates in other states - or the House of Representatives - and there had so far been discussions with "potential high quality candidates" in the nominated states.

"We certainly think we're in the mix to win a senate seat in each of the three states," Mr Barns said in Melbourne today.

If Assange is elected but cannot return to the country, his running mate will take up his seat.

Assange is living in the Ecuadorean embassy in London where he has been granted asylum to avoid being extradited to Sweden.

Mr Barnes said if Assange was elected, whether he was able to take up his seat would be a matter for the Australian government.

"The situation would be that you would have a person whom the voters of Victoria have elected.

"It would be up to the government to secure the opportunity for Mr Assange to come back to Australia," Mr Barns said.

"It would be internationally embarrassing for the voters of Victoria not to be able to have in the senate the person for whom they voted on September 14."

He added the election was not a legal strategy on the part of Assange to get back to Australia.

"If that were the case he would simply put his name down for the Senate, run in the ungrouped category and hope to get elected," Mr Barns said.

Newly-appointed party spokesperson Sam Castro said the WikiLeaks party had already exceeded the 500 members required to register as a party.

"We're in the process of checking that they're already legitimately enrolled," Ms Castro said.

"It seems that we are going to well and truly exceed the numbers required by the Australian Electoral Commission to register ourselves as a political party."

She said the party hoped to have that achieved by mid-May.

The party was drawing members from both of the major sides of politics as well as people who had not previously been politically active, Ms Castro said.

Assange cannot even look out of the windows of the Ecuadorean embassy in London, but his confinement has not dampened his work ethic, his father says.

''The conditions are physically harsh,'' Assange's biological father John Shipton says.

''He's not allowed to look out the windows for fear of admirers throwing food, you don't know if it's contaminated or not.''

But a constant stream of visitors is keeping his intellect alive and the demands of the WikiLeaks organisation -and now its political party - are keeping him busy, according to Mr Shipton.

Speaking at the launch of the WikiLeaks Party in Melbourne today, Mr Shipton described his son as ''well''.

''Emotionally he's steady and has tremendous support.''

The Ecuadoreans are looking after him, he said.

Mr Shipton, who is the chairman of the WikiLeaks Party, said the decision to enter politics is a result of the ''transparency movement'' maturing.

''This is the political manifestation of an event that's been unfolding for 10 years,'' Mr Shipton said.

''In this way, transparency can have the arm of accountability with some political authority and power behind it.''

He said Assange had first broached the possibility of running for government late in 2011 and was was ''very firm'' in his commitment to politics.

''If the people of Victoria elect him to represent them that's his job; to represent the people of Victoria in the senate,'' Mr Shipton said.

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Skateboard road rage attack arrest

An amateur cameraman caught an ugly road rage incident in Australia's Gold Coast while waiting at the traffic lights. Sarah Toms reports.

A SKATEBOARDER has been arrested over a violent road rage bashing at a busy Gold Coast intersection.

Horrified witnesses caught on camera and posted to YouTube footage of a man with a skateboard attacking the driver of a car stopped at a traffic light in Bundall on March 30.

The fight spilled on to the road, with both men throwing punches, leaving them both badly bleeding.

A 24-year-old Bundall man was arrested and charged with affray over a violent road rage bashing at a busy Gold Coast intersection. Picture: Nine News

The driver returned to his car before the other man walked up and smashed the car's taillight.

Witnesses could be heard on the video calling 000.

CHARGED: A skateboarder has been arrested over a violent road rage bashing at a Gold Coast intersection. Image: Channel 9

Police say they have charged a 24-year-old Bundall man with affray following the incident.

They say it will be alleged that the man assaulted a 50-year-old man at the intersection of Bundall Road and Thomas Drive Southport, near the Chevron Island Bridge.

A 24-year-old Bundall man was arrested and charged with affray over a violent road rage bashing at a busy Gold Coast intersection. Picture: Nine News

The accused man has been given a notice to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on April 15.

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'Abbott will hurt Aus-China relations'

Australians doing business in China will be offered training in how to play by its rules and avoid jail.

JULIA Gillard has accused Tony Abbott of crazy and dangerous words on superannuation and warned his ''economic simpleton talk'' will cost Australia investment and jobs in Asia.

The Prime Minister launched her attack on the Opposition Leader as she faced criticism from business leaders about Australia's approach to China and foreign investment system.

Mining boss Andrew Twiggy Forrest said Australia was taking China for granted while a senior Chinese businessman Li Ruguo from the Export Import Bank said Australia could do better.

Speaking in China where she is attending the Bo'ao business forum, Ms Gillard lashed out at Mr Abbott's comment in Melbourne that superannuation changes were a raid on people's funds and ''there are shades of Cyprus about it''.

''This just shows how Mr Abbott is unfit on economic matters. This is a crazy statement that no person of reason could make,'' she said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard holds a press conference on the sidelines of the Bo'ao Forum for Asia.

''These are dangerous words to play with.''

Ms Gillard said Mr Abbott did not know what he was talking about after she met with IMF boss Christine Lagarde and discussed the global economy and Cyprus where there has been an economic crisis and restrictions on people withdrawing money from the bank.

Ms Gillard and Trade Minister Craig Emerson also claimed Mr Abbott's policies would hurt investment and put at risk a free trade agreement with China, even though Labor has not been able to complete it after eight years of talks.

''The kind of economic simpleton talk that we see from the other side of politics will make a free trade agreement with China, and all the jobs that would flow from it for Australians, impossible,'' the PM said.

Julia Gillard meets with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the Bo'ao Forum for Asia. Picture: Luke Marsden

Ms Gillard rejected business criticism, saying in the past 10 years 380 foreign investment proposals had been approved and none rejected.

''We work every day to strengthen our relationship with China,'' Ms Gillard said.

Dr Emerson claimed the Opposition would cut the threshold value for approval from $244 million to $15 million and that would be a signal that foreign investment was not welcome in Australia.

Ms Gillard also announced the opening of a $37 million ''Asian Bound'' scheme for 3500 Australians to get a subsidy to study in Asia from July 1.

The PM meets with Zhou Wenzhong, Secretary General of the Bo'ao Forum for Asia. Picture: Luke Marsden

Dr Emerson said building such people-to-people links and also helping Asians to study in Australia was one of the best ways to boost Australia's prospects in the Asian Century.

He said over the years there would be ''literally thousands of ambassadors'' for Australia spread through Asia.

Dr Emerson also said he would release a guide to help Australians doing business in China after recent concern about some business people being jailed and caught up in scandals.

He said while there were great rewards in China, there were also risks.

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