Elation as epic Antarctic trek ends

Tim Jarvis and Barry Gray after arriving at Stromness whaling station on South Georgia. Picture: Jo Stewart Source: adelaidenow

EXHAUSTED and weather-beaten, Adelaide adventurer Tim Jarvis and British mountaineer Barry Gray yesterday completed their epic re-creation of Sir Ernest Shackleton's desperate 1916 Antarctic boat voyage and cross-country trek.

Mr Jarvis yesterday spoke to his wife, Elizabeth, after completing a gruelling, three-day ice-mountain climb.

"He is elated to have got through to the end - very, very tired as well," Ms Jarvis said. "It was hard."

Mr Jarvis, who set out from Chile on January 3 on a replica of the 6.9m whaler in which Shackleton made his 1300km journey 97 years ago, said he and Mr Gray arrived against the odds.

Intrepid explorere Ernest Shackleton in 1909

"Shackleton didn't exaggerate it," he said. "With ice at 50 degrees, with one wrong foot we could have careened down a crevasse."

The team left icebound Elephant Island, off the coast of Antarctica, on January 23 for South Georgia, following the path of Shackleton, who had become stranded with his crew and made the open-boat journey to South Georgia to find help for himself and his men.

Once at South Georgia, Mr Jarvis led part of his team on a harrowing three-day mountain climb to the Stromness whaling station, where both he and Shackleton found warmth, food and safety.

Expedition leader Tim Jarvis and mountaineer Barry Gray, as they departed on the final leg of journey at Peggotty Bluff in South Georgia two days ago. Picture: Jo Stewart

Adding to the difficulty, Mr Jarvis and most of his team wore the same period clothes - woollen gloves and hats - worn by Shackleton.

At South Georgia, three of the crew were diagnosed with "trench foot", a painful condition suffered by World War I soldiers brought on by prolonged cold-water immersion in the trenches.

Mr Jarvis and Mr Gray were accompanied to Stromness by their navigator Paul Larsen. While they were suffering extreme exhaustion and frostbite, Mr Larsen - who wore modern weather-proof clothes - was in relatively good health.

Shackleton Epic expedition leader Tim Jarvis (hooded) steers the Alexandra Shackleton. Also on deck is a sleeping Baz Gray and Seb Coulthard in the cockpit. Picture: Jo Stewart

"They had a shocking, shocking climb but they're safe and relieved," an expedition spokesman said.

"Tim is exhausted. His right foot's gone ivory-white but he said it was epic, epic."

After arriving they were given medical attention.

The great climber, Sir Edmund Hillary, called Shackleton's journey "the greatest survival story of all  time".

Mr Jarvis spent four years preparing for the $2.5 million expedition, which involved the Discovery Channel, the Public Broadcasting Service and book company HarperCollins.

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Put your money where your mouth is

Joe Hockey is holding on to his policy costings. Source: News Limited

TREASURER Wayne Swan has challenged the Coalition to "come clean" over its financial priorities for voters, as an election-year brawl over policy costings begins.

Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey confirmed that he would not release a fully costed set of polices until the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Outlook, which is usually released ten days into the formal election campaign.

Mr Swan - who in December announced he was scrapping a previous pledge to deliver a budget surplus in May - said Mr Hockey had "let the cat out of the bag" by announcing the Opposition will hold on to its full policy costings "for at least 183 days".

"Australians should be very concerned that the party whose 2010 election auditors were exposed for professional misconduct is continuing to hide the truth," Mr Swan said.

But Mr Hockey lashed out at the Treasurer, describing him as the "class clown when it comes to getting the numbers right".

Wayne Swan is under pressure over revenue from the mining tax.

Mining tax close to 'idiot territory'

The Coalition got into trouble after the last election when it was discovered the accounting firm it used to cost its policies were exposed for professional misconduct.

"This is a deeply deceptive ruse from the Coalition to hide the impact of their policy proposals from the Australian people," Mr Swan said.

"The idea that the Coalition can refuse to release what any of their policies cost until deep into the campaign is unprecedented."

Mr Hockey said the Treasurer was being a "complete hypocrite" in calling for the early release of policy costings.

"He only released his costings on the Friday afternoon before the last election, as he did in 2007," Mr Hockey said.

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This crocodile won't be beaten

One seriously big boy ... Cassius the crocodile / Pic: Brendan Francis Source: The Daily Telegraph

George Craig with Cassius the crocodile / Pic: Brendan Francis Source: The Daily Telegraph

LIKE the boxing legend he is named after, who never knew when he was beaten, Cassius has regained the title of the biggest saltwater crocodile in captivity.

The previous record holder, who measured 6.17m, died on Sunday in the tiny Malaysian village where he had become a major tourist attraction.

A vet rushed to the Agusan del Sur province after the one-tonne beast flipped over with a bloated stomach in its cage in an eco-tourism park.

The croc, blamed for deadly attacks before it was captured in 2011, died a few hours later.

That meant Cassius, a 5.5m saltie who lives in a Queensland croc park, reclaimed his place in the record books.

George Craig, who runs Marineland Melanesia crocodile park on Green Island, off the far north Queensland coast, said of Cassius's rival: "It was a magnificent croc."

Cassius, which Mr Craig believes is about 100 years old, was caught by Northern Territory officers in the Finniss River then sent to a crocodile farm south of Darwin before being taken by truck and ferry by Mr Craig to Green Island 26 years ago.

Mr Craig has no doubt about the giant's grisly past:"He was in the wild for 70 years. For sure he'd have killed someone."

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Shock at death of an angel

A woman has been charged with murder after police discovered a badly beaten woman in a Sydney apartment.

THE family of stabbing victim Susan Sarkis gathered together in grief yesterday as tributes poured in on a Facebook page honouring the 21-year-old.

One of two businesses owned by the family was shut yesterday and the other was operating with only one staff member.

Nearby business owners said the family were quiet people and news of the young woman's death was a "great tragedy".

At least half a dozen cars were parked outside the family home in Chipping Norton.

"We're going through a time of grieving at the moment," a family member said.

Police at the apartment at Brighton Le Sands. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

"We don't have anything to say to anyone right now. We didn't ask for any of this."

Friends and other family members remembered a young woman who was "always laughing, smiling and cracking jokes".

A man who said he was Ms Sarkis' cousin said on Facebook he was in tears at the news of her death: "RIP little cousin. When I received that phone call on New Year's Day and u were wishing me a happy birthday I was almost in tears seeing as you always remembered my birthday.

"Well now I'm in tears remembering you. We miss you. Your life was cut too short, but your in a better place. Love you cuz and we will definitely see you later."

Police at the apartment at Brighton Le Sands. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Another man wrote: "Sweetie, habibi susie my little sister. I'm shattered you're a beautiful sweet angel sweetness. You've left this life and entered eternal life and gone to a better place, I'm sure my mother was there and took u under her wings. You'll be well looked after with your grandfather and all the saints."

Ms Sarkis was discovered on the floor of her Brighton-Le-Sands unit at 6.15pm on Saturday night.

She was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at St George Hospital a short time later.

Police have charged her 31-year-old flatmate, Katherine Abdullah, with her murder.

Sadly missed: Susan Sarkis

It's alleged Abdullah stabbed Ms Sarkis several times in the chest following a violent argument in the near-new Moete Ave unit.

Ms Abdullah did not apply for bail in Parramatta Court on Sunday when she appeared on a video-link from the cells at the Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills. She will remain in custody until she appears before Central Local Court on April 2.

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Union funds blown on Bradman and Bono

Don Bradman during the 1948 "Invincibles" tour. A bat signed by members of his famous team was among items purchased with union funds. Source: Supplied

DISGRACED former Health Services Union boss Michael Williamson spent thousands of dollars on extravagant memorabilia, including paintings of Donald Bradman and rock star Bono, helping to wipe $7 million from members' value.

A damning report reveals years of mismanagement left the HSU's flagship NSW branch almost insolvent, with just $191,000 in equity by December and surviving on "borrowed money".

More than $21 million in property assets has beenwiped out by debts totalling $17.17 million - and other liabilities including "outstanding" payrolland superannuation debts.

The internal minute, from the December 2012 meeting of the "branch committee of management", also reveals a series of "very high, one-off costs" hit union finances.

These include $395,000 for the corruption report delivered by Ian Temby QC and $1.6 million to cover the costs of the HSU going into administration last June.

Mr Williamson, who is facing criminal charges following a NSW police investigation, spent tens of thousands of dollars of union funds on sporting and other memorabilia, the report finds.

These included various cricket bats, including one signed by the 1948 "Invincibles", sports jerseys, watches, luggage scales and a painting of Sir Donald Bradman and another of U2 frontman Bono.

These are being "liquidated" by the union's new management team - headed by NSW branch secretary Gerard Hayes - to help fund the "fight against Barry O'Farrell's cuts to health".

The once powerful HSU has been plunged into crisis after revelations that its former national secretary and ex-Labor MP Craig Thomson allegedly misused up to $500,000 between 2002 and 2007. Mr Thomson is facing criminal charges in Victoria and is also subject to civil proceedings after a three-year Fair Work Australia investigation.

His one-time mentor, Mr Williamson, is alleged to have employed family members in key union roles and is facing criminal charges.

The internal minute says Mr Hayes' team found finances were "worse than previously expected", the NSW branch holding equity of just $191,000.

"As a result of the mismanagement of the union prior to the period of administration, and also the costs associated with the amalgamation between NSW and Victorian branches of the HSU, it is estimated that the union has lost about $7m in equity," the minute says.

Mr Hayes says Mr Williamson is taking steps to improve finances, including cutting his salary from $395,000 to $140,000 a year.

"Obviously, we were left with a challenging financial situation, but our austerity program of selling company cars, auctioning off memorabilia and slashing salaries will put us back in the black within six to nine months," Mr Hayes told News Limited.

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Mexican cocaine flown to Australia

A FEARED Mexican crime gang has been using private jets to fly tonnes of cocaine into Australia.

Authorities in the United States say the same aircraft have then shipped millions of dollars back to a drug lord working for the ruthless Sinaloa cartel.

Big cash paydays of up to 10 per cent of the profits were allegedly offered to pilots prepared to make the round trip.

The allegations are outlined in a criminal complaint lodged by the US Drug Enforcement Agency in the US District Court in Illinois against Jose "Juanito" Mares-Barragan, a 31-year-old accused of being the co-head of a Chicago drug trafficking gang working for Sinaloa.

"If he wants to go big, we can go big," Mares-Barragan allegedly told an informant, codenamed CS1, during a recorded meeting to discuss enticing a pilot to fly cocaine from South America to Central America.

The pilot would make $US500,000 ($514,750) for each South America-Central America flight and CS1 would earn between $US30,000 and $US50,000 for introducing the pilot to Mares-Barragan, documents filed in court allege.

Mares-Barragan also allegedly told the informant "$US1500 per brick" would be earned for transporting 20 to 25 bricks of cocaine from California to Chicago. Mares-Barragan's former co-head of the Chicago drug operation has become a "reliable" key informant for authorities, in the hope of receiving a reduced sentence, and is referred to as "Individual A" in court documents.

According to the complaint against Mares-Barragan, CS1 and Individual A met on January 13, 2012 and the movement of cocaine from the US to Australia was discussed.

"Individual A advised that his/her associates were moving millions of dollars per month from Australia to the United States, and that the money was being used to purchase cocaine to be sold in Australia," special agent for the DEA Christopher O'Reilly wrote in the criminal complaint lodged against Mares-Barragan.

"In prior meetings between CS1 and Individual A, CS1 had pretended to be a pilot.

"Individual A asked CS1 whether he/she was interested in moving millions of dollars from Australia to the United States."

Mares-Barragan was arrested on January 22 and charged with conspiracy to attempt to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.

He has been refused bail and is being held at Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Centre.

The Australian Federal Police last night congratulated US authorities on the breakthrough.

A spokeswoman said it would not comment on whether Sinaloa had come to its attention before or whether Australian elements of the operation were under investigation.

"It is not appropriate to comment further on matters which may relate to intelligence holdings," she said.

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Aussies get a rotten deal from Apple

AUSSIE consumers pay up to four times more than Americans for the same IT software, devices, games and downloads and a parliamentary inquiry is demanding to know why.

The world's biggest tech companies, Apple, Microsoft and Adobe, have been summonsed to appear before a public hearing of the House Committee on Infrastructure and Communications in Canberra on March 22 to explain their pricing discrepancies.

Aussie music lovers regularly pay around $2.19 for new release singles through Apple's iTunes store, where as US listeners pay the equivalent of $1.31, according to a submission to the inquiry by consumer group Choice last June.

The popular 16GB Apple iPad retails for around $679 in Australia, but costs only $640 in the US.

A 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop costs $1349 for Aussies but just $1220 for Americans.

Australian gamers are forced to pay more than four times their US counterparts for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game, which costs $89.99 in Australia and $20.34 in the US.

Microsoft also slugs Aussies $751 for its Windows Vista Ultimate software package, versus $436 for US customers.

Labor MP, Ed Husic, who is leading the charge against unfair IT pricing, said the tech giants had refused multiple requests to appear voluntarily before the committee.

"This is an important move but one we shouldn't have to take," Mr Husic said. "These firms should have cooperated and been prepared to be more open and transparent about their pricing approaches.

"In what's probably the first time anywhere in the world, these IT firms are now being called by the Australian Parliament to explain why they price their products so much higher in Australia compared to the US."

"Given the widespread use of IT across businesses and the community, the prices paid for hardware and software can have a major commercial and economic impact."

The CEO of Choice, Alan Kirkland, welcomed the move to get the tech giants to please explain.

"Australians are waking up to the fact that we are being ripped off. We believe it's time that these companies realise this and start pricing fairly in the Australian market," Mr Kirkland said.

A Choice investigation found that one Microsoft software development product Visual Studio 2012 Ultimate was so overpriced in Australia than an Aussie shopper could pay for return flights to Los Angeles, buy the software there and still come home thousands of dollars better off than buying it here.

"With price differences this stark, the same old excuses just won't cut it anymore," Mr Kirkland said.

A spokeswoman for Apple Australia refused to comment on the summons.

"We're not commenting on the IT pricing inquiry," she told News Limited.

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Poor students 'can be great teachers'

Educators point out that high-school exam results don't reveal the human qualities that make a good teacher. Source: News Limited

STUDENTS who struggle through high school should still be allowed to train as teachers, the nation's biggest teaching university says.

The Australian Catholic University said restricting teaching degrees to the brightest students would be like selecting a cricket team based on hair color.

ACU vice-chancellor Greg Craven said a low Australian Tertiary Admission Rank did not mean a mediocre high school student could not train to be an excellent teacher.

"ATAR rankings don't test the most important qualities of what makes an excellent teacher, which go to character and ethos," Professor Craven said.

"It doesn't show if they like people, can engage with people, have a passion for teaching and want students to learn.

"Without that, you could have an ATAR of 98 and be a rotten teacher.

"It's a bit like selecting the Australian cricket team on the basis of hair colour. It just doesn't go to the fundamental character."

But School Education Minister Peter Garrett yesterday insisted universities would soon have to ensure that all teaching graduates excel at literacy and numeracy.

New teachers would need to rank in the "top 30 per cent of the country" for literacy and numeracy, under a National Plan for School Improvement being developed with state and territory education ministers.

"If people starting their university courses aren't meeting that requirement but can demonstrate potential, universities will have to work with them to ensure they reach these standards before they graduate," Mr Garrett said.

Professor Craven said teachers must be paid more, to attract the most talented Year 12 graduates.

`The truth is, unless we pay teachers a great deal more, the bulk of people will come in (with ATAR) somewhere between 60 and 80," he said.

The ATAR ranks Year 12 graduates on their academic performance, relative to other students.

The top score of 99.95 means the student is in the top 0.5 per cent of Year 12 graduates, while a ranking of 40 means the student's academic results are worse than 60 per cent of graduates.

Queensland, however, has retained its Overall Position system, which ranks students from the highest performance of 1, to the lowest of 25.

The Group of Eight universities - a lobby group for Australia's most elite unis - has called for a minimum ATAR of 70 for entry to teaching courses.

The NSW Government has revealed that a fifth of Year 12 graduates are getting into teaching courses with an ATAR below 60.

Professor Craven said universities that set the bar too high risked locking out Aboriginal students and those from disadvantaged families.

The ACU's ATAR for teaching courses ranges from 59 to 86 for teaching, depending on the campus.

The university has told a Senate inquiry into teaching that ATAR fails to take "human factors" into account.

"It does not measure passion, commitment, communication skills, compassion, enthusiasm, ethics or social disadvantage to name a few attributes which could help or hinder a student or a teacher succeeding in the wider world," its submission states.

"... it is not how a student enters the university, but how he or she leaves the university that is important."

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