First-year P-platers banned from night driving

FIRST-YEAR P-plate drivers will be banned from driving between midnight and 5am and prohibited from carrying more than one passenger aged 16-20.

New State Government laws will extend the amount of time drivers spend on P-plates from two to three years, increasing the minimum full-licence age from 19 to 20.

The changes will soon be put to State Parliament in a bid to cut the youth road toll. Forty young P-platers have died on the state's roads since 2009.

"Young people make up 5 per cent of our population, but account for 12 per cent of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads," Road Safety Minister Michael O'Brien said.

The curfew and the single-passenger rule will apply only to the first year on P-plates. Other measures will include:

A FINE of $317 and three demerit points for breaching the curfew.

AN EXEMPTION on the one-passenger rule for family members.

EXEMPTIONS on the curfew and one-passenger rule if an adult full-licence driver with a clean driving record is a passenger.

WORK exemptions for people who have to drive after midnight, or transport people to work, and for police and emergency workers and volunteers.

DISQUALIFIED P-platers will no longer regress to a previous licence stage when they get their licence back, because it was found to be ineffective.

Drivers who have already partially completed their P-plate period will not have it extended to three years, but will be penalised if they break the curfew or one-passenger rule.

The proposed laws are expected to pass Parliament.

Alanna Sherrah, 23, of Mt Compass, whose brother was killed by the dangerous driving of a P-plate driver, has supported the laws.

Jake McMillan and two other passengers were killed when their car hit a tree near Mt Compass in 2010.

"Jake would still be here if the laws they are proposing (restricting passengers) were in place," Mrs Sherrah said.

Director of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide, Professor Mary Lydon, said research showed if passenger restrictions were introduced in South Australia, there would be an estimated reduction of 12-17 fatal and serious injuries per year.

"For a night-driving restriction, there would be an estimated saving of 8-12 fatal and serious injuries per year," she said.

Changes to the Graduated Licensing Scheme have undergone several drafts since they were announced in October 2011, and have been the subject of more than 1000 public submissions to the State Government.

The most unpopular measure - and one which has now been rejected - was increasing the P-plate starting age from 17 to 18.

RAA senior manager of road safety Charles Mountain said a similar effect would be achieved by increasing the P-plate system from two to three years.

"The night driving and peer influence of passengers are seen as the big issues," he said.

"It is also a big change (from two to three years) that they are subjected to another year (P3) of restricted driving in terms of blood alcohol and drug use, one passenger and the night restriction, for another 12 months.

Despite not increasing the age by law, Mr O'Brien urged parents to consider delaying the age that they approved their children seeking a licence.

"It is important to recognise that delaying the age of obtaining a provisional licence has significant safety benefits, and I ask young drivers and their parents or caregivers to consider this," he said.

Executive Director of the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia Anne Bainbridge welcomed the backdown on raising the age of eligibility for a P-plate licence, because of the effect it would have had on young workers.

But she said the changes which had been made were still unfair.

"Decreases in road injury and fatality rates are much more likely to be achieved through whole-of-community attitudinal and behavioural change, not approaches that target young people in isolation," she said.

Motor Accident Commission chief executive Jerome Maguire said he was a passionate supporter of reducing youth road trauma and death. "There is enormous scope for improvement in this area," he said.

23.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Anguish as breast implant suit dropped

French Doctor Denis Boucq shows a breast implant produced by PIP (Poly Implant Prothese) company. AFP PHOTO SEBASTIEN NOGIER Source: adelaidenow

Rayner says she is disappointed hundreds of Australian women had been let down after the class action against breast implant distributor Medical Vision Australia was dropped. Picture: Dean Martin

Broke: A broken PIP implant removed a woman. Around 200 Venezuelan women with French-made PIP breast implants, suspected of causing cancer, will march on Friday to the court to present a lawsuit against the company Picture: AFP/Leo Ramirez Source: AFP

A picture taken on December 30, 2011 shows material and boxes on the floor of a building of the former breast implant manufacturer Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) in La Seyne-sur-Mer, after France's state health insurance fund has filed a fraud complaint against a firm that sold hundreds of thousands of allegedly faulty breast implants around the world. Source: AFP

RAYNER underwent surgery for breast implants six years ago to make her feel more confident.

Two years ago, the Adelaide woman - who did not want her surname published - started to feel ill and discovered one of her PIP implants had ruptured.

Yesterday, Rayner said hundreds of women were let down when it was announced that their class action against distributors Medical Vision Australia would not go ahead. It had involved about 1300 women with PIP implants.

"I feel uneasy and uncomfortable just generally about all this and I'm disappointed that all the Australian women are just let down," Rayner said.

Law firm Tindall Gask Bentley announced it would not proceed with the class action because Medical Vision Australia did not have product liability insurance for five of the eight years that it was Australia's sole distributor of PIP implants.

"I'm upset that the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) who is supposed to be the government watchdog for these devices has failed to protect us women. I want to know why they allowed the distributor to sell these devices without any insurance," Rayner said.

Class action over faulty breast implants withdrawn

Rayner was 21 when she had the implants surgery, an act she described as "the best thing that ever happened to me".

"I had no idea back then that what I was putting into my body was something that would make me so sick just a few years later," she said.

"As a result of having PIP implants, I will need numerous replacement surgeries throughout my life until I feel comfortable enough to live with the scars and disfigurement."

Rayner now has ongoing problems with her lymphatic system.

"I have concerns about my health in the long run from having this rupture and what the outcome of my future surgeries will be," she said.

Senator Nick Xenophon said the lack of insurance showed some basic loopholes and failures in the regulatory framework.

"It's completely unacceptable that Rayner and thousands of other Australian women have been left without any cover, any compensation, for their ordeal and their considerable out-of-pocket expenses," he said, adding the government should look at providing compensation to the women affected.

The Advertiser contacted Medical Vision Australia Plastic and Cosmetic but they declined to comment. 

23.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Motor show's future is now in doubt

Falling attendance figures mean the Melbourne Motor Show has been axed and Sydney may follow. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA'S last remaining motor show faces a massive makeover to help it survive beyond the cancellation of this year's event, scheduled for Melbourne in June.

Falling attendances and dwindling car company support for the Australian International Motor Show triggered the cancellation, following the demise of motor shows in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth over the past five years and the amalgamation of the standalone shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

Punch Breaking Views: AIMS organisers to blame for demise

The joint-venture Australian show is in its infancy and was badly affected by a poor attendance and a lack of manufacturer backing for the inaugural running in Sydney last year at the outdated and undersized exhibition centre in Darling Harbour.

Now the organisers - the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce - intend to bring the show into the 21st century with a reinvention that could lead to a rolling roadshow similar to the successful Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain.

"We're ruling nothing in and nothing out on the future structure of the motor show," the AIMS organiser, Russ Tyrie, told News Ltd.

"We really want to start again. We're exploring all the opportunities. We have a lot of research to help us and we intend to re-engage with our exhibitors."

It is believed that the tipping point for the 2013 show was the withdrawal of the giant Volkswagen Group, with its Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen brands, and the uncertainty of support from the Korean giant, Hyundai.

Less than 20 brands had committed to displaying their cars at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, even though there are close to 60 now in showrooms and car sales are heading towards another record result this year.

Carmakers report a minimum investment of $1 million in the show, with many spending more than $2 million for the week-long event.

Tyrie admitted that changing trends in car buying and entertainment choice had hurt the motor show, and has not ruled out resorting to government funding to support the AIMS.

"The show has never been involved in funding from governments but, in future, all opportunities will be investigated. Our research shows the last Melbourne show generated in excess of $20 million in benefits to the state of Victoria," he said.

He also denied that running the show twice in the same financial year, even with one event in Sydney and the other planned for Melbourne, had contributed to the cancellation.

"That had already been canvassed and there was nothing to suggest it was an impediment, from the point of view of the car companies."

But the traditional motor show is already facing a growing threat from a new rival, the GreenZone Drive.

It is a hands-on event that allows people to test drive the growing number of environmentally friendly cars in Australian showrooms and has drawn growing attendances to locations including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

"This could be an opportunity for us. We have an event that has run successfully for the past four years and is attracting a growing number of people," GreenZone organiser, John Kananghinis, told News Ltd.

Melbourne motor show attendance numbers:

• Peak: 257,000 (2004)
• 2008: 240,000 (last time Sydney and Melbourne shows are held the same year)
• 2009: 193,755
• 2010: (no event, joint venture with Sydney)
• 2011: 160,000
• 2012: (no event, joint venture with Sydney)

Sydney motor show attendance numbers:

• Peak: 320,000 (2001)
• 2008: 137,000 (the last time Sydney and Melbourne shows were held the same year)
• 2009: (no event, joint venture with Melbourne)
• 2010: 124,000
• 2011: (no event, joint venture with Melbourne)
• 2012: 135,050

23.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rodwell's family tell of botched rescue

Almost $94,000 was paid to secure the release of former Australian hostage Warren Rodwell in the Philippines.

FAMILY of former Australian hostage Warren Rodwell have revealed a separate plan to secure his release was hatched three weeks ago but failed when one of his captors died of a heart attack.

The botched attempt saw Australian Government officials fly Mr Rodwell's sister, Denise Cappello, to the southern Philippines earlier this month after securing a large bank loan to hand off to his captors.

She was to assist with the exchange of money to the Abu Sayyaf extremist group, which had been holding him captive for 15 months.

Australian hostage freed after $94,000 ransom paid

Freed Aussie hostage Warren Rodwell gives a statement as he arrives at Manila International Airport.  Picture: AFP

News Ltd has been told Ms Cappello deposited the money in a Philippines bank account in anticipation of the transaction.

She was escorted to the region by officers with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade but the plan turned to disaster, her Tamworth-based cousin Susan revealed, due to forces outside their control.

"They escorted her over there but that was a bit disastrous. It happened about three weeks ago but it all fell through," Susan - who asked that her surname not to be used - said.

Warren Rodwell appeared to require some help after 15 months in captivity. Picture: AFP

"Somebody on the other side had a heart attack and so everything just went 'kaput'.

"Her money was in the bank ready to go.

"She hasn't bee able to say a lot either because they want it all kept secret."

Former soldier and Australian citizen Warren Rodwell has been released by al-Qaida-linked captors who held him hostage in the Philippines for over one year.

Mr Rodwell, 54, who was released last Friday for a sum of $AUD93,600, who was treated at a military hospital on the island of Mindanao but was due to arrive at the Australian Embassy in Manila last night.

Plans for his return to Australia are under way and expected to take place within the next fortnight.

Along with his sister's bank loan, Mr Rodwell's wife Miraflor Gutang, 28, sold a substantial amount of family assets, including a car, property, and a water filling station, to raise the ransom money demanded by the terror group, said to have been $2 million.

Wayne Rodwell, right, the brother of released Australian hostage Warren Richard Rodwell, answers a reporter's question while his sister Denise Capello, left, listens in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

She has now gone to ground in the days since his release and is understood to be remaining in Mindanao, despite his transfer to the country's capital.

Mr Rodwell's ordeal ended on Saturday when he was marched down a mountainside of Basilan island, ordered into a boat and told to "paddle for his life', he told police.

With one of this extremist captors travelling with him, a gaunt and exhausted Mr Rodwell arrived after 1am (4am AEST) in a fisheries area of Pagadian city, where he was spotted by a supervisor and asked whether he was a tourist.

Ms Cappello and her brother, Wayne, yesterday expressed their joy and relief over his release, saying their brother was "delighted" to be free.

"He has, however, lost a lot of weight and is exhausted. He will need medical support, as well as time and space to recover," they said, before paying tribute to the Philippines police, Australian government, and the Basilan Vice-Governor Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul, who was pivotal in the success of his return.

"Without his help, Warren would not be free from captivity."

Businessman and philanthropist Dick Smith, who was instrumental in the release of another Australian hostage, Nigel Brennan, confirmed he played no role in Mr Rodwell's ordeal.

23.21 | 1 komentar | Read More

Microsoft hands over Aussie data

Microsoft received requests for subscriber information for at least 1899 Australians from law enforcement agencies. Source: The Courier-Mail

MICROSOFT last year released the identification details of at least 1900 Australians to law enforcement officials.

The revelation is contained in the software company's first Law Enforcement Requests report which shows that Australian authorities were the seventh most frequent requester of Microsoft user information.

The Microsoft report said 2238 requests were made by Australian authorities involving 3081 accounts.

In response to those demands, the software company said it did not disclose any Australian user's content (such as photographs or emails, for example).

But it did disclose "subscriber data" for 1899 requests, which involved at least that many people and potentially many more.

The report said subscriber data typically included name, e-mail address, credit card details, date of birth and IP address.

Microsoft General Counsel and Executive Legal & Corporate Affairs Vice President Brad Smith said internationally Microsoft received 75,378 law enforcement requests for customer information and those requests involved 137,424 accounts.

Only 2.1 percent, or 1558 requests, resulted in the disclosure of customer content.

More than 99 percent of requests were made by US authorities but there was also 14 disclosures of customer content to authorities in Brazil, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand.

Microsoft plans to release a Law Enforcement Requests Report every six months. Google has been publishing similar reports for three years.
 

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China eyes off Aussie mining

PwC mining leader Jock O'Callaghan says China needs to find ways to meets its urbanisation targets. Picture: AFP Source: PerthNow

CASHED-UP Chinese state owned companies are tipped to be the big winners in a year of consolidation within the mining industry after last year's disastrous procession of billion dollar write-downs by some of the mining giants, a new report warns.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers mining report said there will be no repeat of last year's mega-mergers as the mining giants instead focus on delivering shareholder value by developing existing assets.

Commodity prices are expected to stabilise in 2013 but with Chinese demand strengthening as its economy continues to urbanise and meet its 7.5 per cent growth targets iron-ore, copper, coal and nickel are tipped to be among the big winners over the coming years.

PwC mining leader Jock O'Callaghan said commodity prices will continue to be volatile over the short term but remain on an upward trajectory over the medium to long term.

"China still needs the raw materials to meet its urbanisation targets of putting 12 million people a year into new cities that haven't even been built," he said.

"As a result there will be no slowdown in the in the appetite from off-shore to buy-up Australian mining companies or even take minority stakes. This is driven from China but Indian and Japanese companies are also looking for deals."

Almost $US110 billion was spent on mergers and acquisitions last year, but excluding the $54 billion blockbuster merger of Glencore and Xstrata this was the lowest value since 2009 and the volume of deals was down to its lowest level in eight years.

Chinese companies were responsible for only 9 per cent of the deals in 2012 but a greater risk appetite and the countries relentless drive for urbanisation is expected to see Chinese M&A activity rise sharply in the coming five years.

Mr O'Callaghan said the next 12 months will also likely see the majors such Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton sell-out of some of their non-core assets following a series of billion dollar writedowns last year.

"The main game will continue to be the need to reduce transaction risk, boost shareholder value and demonstrate discipline about where and how capital is allocated," he said.

"Miners across the world are operating in a global market where risk factors such as cost and resource nationalism are on the rise and where buying and selling specific assets have political consequences. But good deals find a way to get done."

23.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boy dies as asylum boat hit by waves

Footage from Nine shows asylum seekers arriving at Christmas Island after a boat carrying 95 capsized, killing two.

A YOUNG boy was among two asylum seekers killed yesterday after a terrifying series of waves smashed a dangerously overcrowded asylum boat, with the latest tragedy coming as three more boats arrived.

Traumatised Customs staff plucked 93 survivors from waters 14NM north of Christmas Island, including a seriously ill pregnant woman, aged in her 20s, and a boy, aged six to seven.

The pair ingested water and diesel from the surface of the water and were in a serious condition with breathing difficulties.

Children and their parents who survived the tragedy arrived at Christmas Island around 2pm, three hours after the disaster.

Customs staff are caring for two traumatised officers who had boarded the overcrowded 12-15m Indonesian fishing boat moments before two waves slammed into it in swells of between 1-2.5 metres.

Rescued passengers receive medical care after a suspected asylum seeker boat carrying 95 people capsized off Christmas Island killing two. (AAP Image/Sharon Tisdale)

The vessel, carrying mostly Afghans, was the latest in a string of arrivals, including another vessel with 128 on board which was found on the weekend, with the government bracing for more boats as monsoonal conditions ease.

Last night it was revealed another three boats, carrying almost 150 people, had arrived over the previous 24 hours.

Since Saturday seven vessels have arrived, carrying more than 430 people, taking March's total to 1583.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard last night said: "I worry every time we hear that a boat is out on the water, too many people have lost their lives getting on these very dangerous boats, paying people smugglers to do so and what a dreadful tragedy this is."

A passenger on the stricken vessel had made a distress call to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Rescue Coordination Centre at 9.30pm Sunday night, almost six hours after it was first spotted by a Customs Dash 8 surveillance plane.

Customs vessel the Ocean Protector was sent from Christmas Island at 10.13pm Sunday and spotted the asylum boat 33NM north of Christmas Island.

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said the vessel was underway and "did not appear to be in distress" and Customs staff waited until first light at 7am (11am AEST) to board.

The vessel stopped to allow Customs staff on board, making it more vulnerable to the two unexpected waves which slammed into it, swamping the hull with water, he said.

"Two officers from Customs and Border Protection Command boarded the vessel, about that time two large waves hit the vessel, the vessel rolled and a number of people entered the water," Mr Clare said.

"The two Customs and Border Protection officers were recovered and are safe. The men and women of protection command acted quickly to rescue the people from the water.

"The men and women of border protection command have experienced another tragic event, two of our men and women have been on board that vessel when it foundered, they went into the water, it is very important we provide them with support services and counselling."

Counsellors were being flown from WA.

Survivors still face being sent to Nauru or Manus Island to have refugee claims processed, Mr Clare said.

Border Protection Command Commander Rear Admiral David Johnston said the Customs officers had approached the vessel in a small rib boat, leaving the larger Ocean Protector 300m away.

He said it was safer to wait until the sun rose to attempt a boarding.

"We are confident we rescued all those we saw in the water," he said.

HMAS Maitland was patrolling the surround area yesterday but it was not expected any more asylum seekers had drowned.

23.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Voters dump Labor over Rudd farce

June 24, 2010

Gillard becomes Australia's first female Prime Minister after challenging Kevin Rudd. The incident becomes known as the 'knifing' of Rudd.

August 2, 2010

The PM says it's time voters had a chance to see the "real Julia". The move backfires when people ask: if it's now time to see the real Julia, who was she before?

December 15, 2010

At least 30 asylum seekers die when their ramshackle boat breaks up after being tossed against cliffs in rough seas off Christmas Island. The incident reignites debate about boat arrivals in Australia.

January 2011

Gillard visits flood-ravaged Queensland, and is criticised by some commentators for lack of warmth. Her one-off flood levy to help Queenslanders recover is highly controversial.

February 24, 2011

Gillard breaks an election promise in announcing a carbon tax. Tony Abbott slams the announcement as "an utter betrayal of the Australian people".

March 21, 2011

Gillard cops flack when she reveals she is opposed to gay marriage and, despite being an atheist, that she thinks it's important for people to understand the Bible.

March 23, 2011

A carbon tax protest rally led by Tony Abbott in Canberra turns personal when anti-government demonstrators start chanting "ditch the bitch". Placards at the rally read "Ju-Liar" and "Bob Brown's bitch".

May 7, 2011

The Gillard Government announces it is close to signing the "Malaysia Solution". Issues surrounding human rights and unaccompanied children then dog the government.

May 18, 2011

The Prime Minister flicks the switch on the National Broadband Network on mainland Australia. Many commentators and the Opposition call it waste of money but Gillard says naysayers are out of touch.

May 30, 2011

The government suspends live exports after Four Corners exposes brutal mistreatment of Australian cattle in Indonesian slaughterhouses. Pastoralists' livelihoods suffer as their cattle remain in limbo.

June 15, 2011

Newspoll shows support for Julia Gillard has crashed to a record low of just 30 per cent. The figure is lower than Kevin Rudd's was when she replaced him.

September 27, 2011

Kevin Rudd adds fuel to leadership speculation when he makes a gaffe on ABC Radio: "I'm a very happy little vegemite being prime minister ... being foreign minister of Australia."

November 23, 2011

The mining tax is passed after parliament sits late into the night. The Opposition vows to repeal the tax if elected and accuses the Government of secretive "backdoor deals".

November 24, 2011

Canberra is stunned by a deal installing Peter Slipper, a member of the Queensland Liberals, as Speaker of the House of Representatives. It shores up the government's numbers but the ousting of Harry Jenkins, a popular and effective Speaker, is seen has harsh.

December 2, 2011

Gillard is widely criticised for "airbrushing" Kevin Rudd from ALP history at the party's National Conference in Sydney.

January 22, 2012

Gillard reneges on a deal with key independent Andrew Wilkie to introduce measures to tackle problem gambling. Wilkie pulls his support from the government in retaliation. The move puts a new complexion on the installation of Slipper as Speaker.

January 26, 2012

One of Gillard's key advisors is forced to resign after admitting he tipped off Aboriginal activists to incorrect reports that Tony Abbott wanted to close the tent embassy.

February 24, 2012

Kevin Rudd announces he will contest the leadership, saying Gillard has lost the confidence of the Australian people.

February 27, 2012

Gillard retains the top job after winning the challenge 71-31, but it comes at a cost as Mark Arbib resigns.

March 26, 2012

Queensland Labor is stunned with a landslide state election reducing the party to a rump in the parliament. Gillard says she respects the "shouted" message from voters, but rejects claims it serves as a warning to her own Government.

April 23, 2012

The PM is forced to defend her decision to appoint Peter Slipper as Speaker after allegations he abused his Cabcharge account and sexually harassed a former adviser.

April 29, 2012

Gillard accepts Craig Thompson's resignation and stands Peter Slipper aside indefinitely. She says the scandals have "crossed a line", but some commentators see it as another complete U-turn.

May 8, 2012

Voters were unconvinced by Gillard's 2012 Federal Budget offering $5 billion in cost-of-living offset measures to counteract the impact of the Carbon Tax.

May 9, 2012

Gillard said she was "deeply disturbed" that a three-year investigation by Fair Work Australia found suspended Labor MP Craig Thomson had spent almost $500,000 of union members' funds on prostitutes, fine dining, hotels, cash withdrawals, air travel and electioneering.

May 10, 2012

Gillard declared that US President Barak Obama's support for same-sex marriage would not change her own view on the issue.

June 21, 2012

About 90 asylum seekers were lost at sea after a boat capsized north-west of Christmas Island. Rescue attempts successfully pulled 109  out of the water.

June 28, 2012

A second asylum-seeking vessel sank, claiming the lives of at least four people. Merchant and naval vessels rescued 125.

August 12, 2012

Gillard was forced into a major back-down by announcing the Government would nominate Nauru and Manus Island to be reopened as offshore processing facilities for asylum seekers.

August 18, 2012

It was revealed Julia Gillard had been under investigation when she resigned from her law firm Slater and Gordon in 1995. Questions had been raised about work she had done for her then boyfriend,  a union boss accused of corruption.

August 23, 2012

The Australian reveals that Gillard admitted that the entity she set up for Wilson was a slush fund to raise cash for the re-election of union officials. Gillard breaks her silence, denying any wrongdoing and declaring the story is part of a sexist internet smear campaign.

October 9, 2012

A fiery speech by Prime Minister Julia Gillard slamming Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for being a misogynist gains global attention.

November 11, 2012

Wayne Hem swears in a statutory declaration that he made the Gillard payment and other payments after being instructed to do so by Bruce Wilson.

November 15, 2012

The Australian reveals that former AWU official Helmut Gries, who first raised concerns that union money may have been spent on Gillard's renovations, now doubts that version of events.

January 28, 2013

First bloke Tim Mathieson attracts the wrong sort of attention for the following comment: "We can get a blood test for (prostate cancer), but the digital examination is the only true way to get a correct reading on your prostate, so make sure you go and do that, and perhaps look for a small Asian female doctor is probably the best way."

January 30, 2013

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces a September 14 election date, initiating one of the longest campaigns in Australian history.

January 31, 2103

Former Labor MP Craig Thomson is arrested at his electoral office on the NSW Central Coast and is charged with 150 offences relating to allegedly fraudulent use of union funds at the Health Services Union.

February 2, 2013

Ministers Nicola Roxon and Chris Evans announce their resignations ahead of the election.

February 19, 2013

Greens leader Christine Milne announces the end of her party's minority government agreement with Labor over its failed mining tax. The Greens will continue to offer supply until the September election.

February 26, 2013

A Newspoll published in The Australian shows a five-point drop in support for Julia Gillard as preferred Prime Minister, giving Opposition Leader Tony Abbott a four point lead of 40 to 36 per cent. Last November, Ms Gillard enjoyed a 14-point lead in the preferred PM stakes.

March 3, 2013

Julia Gillard begins a five-day stay in western Sydney where she tries to increase her appeal with a disillusioned electorate through promises to tighten the rules around the 457 Visas, giving $1 billion for the WestConnex road project for the M4 and a $50 million promise of federal funds for the Warragamba Dam.

March 9, 2013

Stephen Smith's comments about federal Labor's woes having an impact on Liberal Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett's landslide victory reportedly leave the PM fuming. Similar comments made by ex- Labor Minister, Alannah MacTiernan about the electoral massacre Labor faced with Julia Gillard as leader days later, further inflamed the situation and sparked a fresh round of leadership speculation.

March 11, 2013

A Newspoll published in The Australian shows that Labor's overall approval support rose three points to 34 per cent while the Coalition fell three points to 44 per cent. Ms Gillard regained her lead over Tony Abbott as preferred Prime Minister 42 to 38 per cent. Later that day, several members of the public were booted out of the federal parliament during question for heckling the prime minister and calling her a "moll" and "Ju-liar".

March 12, 2013

Bill Shorten rules out taking over from Julia Gillard as Labor MPs meet to find a circuit breaker to the crisis around the party leadership. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announces a raft of controversial new media reforms which the government wants to pass parliament by the end of the following week.

March 16, 2013

Labor MPs warn controversial media laws should be scrapped if they fail to pass parliament because they would be a dead weight ahead of an election.

March 18, 2013

Kevin Rudd surges ahead of Julia Gillard as preferred Labor leader according to a Nielsen poll. 62 per cent of voters named Mr Rudd as preferred Labor leader, over Ms Gillard (31 per cent). Labor's primary vote also drops back to 31 per cent.

March 19, 2013

Julia Gillard's key backers challenge Kevin Rudd's numbers men to "reveal names" after disputing their claims the former PM was close to having the numbers in caucus behind him to take back the leadership. Mr Rudd ruled out that he would run for the leadership by Friday.

March 21, 2013

Simon Crean calls on the PM to call a spill of all leadership positions to ''end the stalemate'', and Julia Gillard calls a ballot for 4.30 that day. Kevin Rudd announced he would not challenge for the leadership, and Ms Gillard was re-elected unopposed.

March 22, 2013

Cabinet ministers Chris Bowen and Martin Ferguson, senior minister Kim Carr, parliamentary secretary Richard Marles and three whips - Joel Fitzgibbon, Ed Husic and Janelle Saffin - all resigned in the wake of the botched attempt to roll the Prime Minister. Simon Crean was also sacked by Ms Gillard for his role in the attempted spill.

23.20 | 0 komentar | Read More