Diggers hurt in Afghan bomb blast

Australia is to withdraw most troops from Afghanistan by year-end and shut down a major base, handing security to Afghan soldiers and police. Travis Brecher reports.

TWO Australian special forces soldiers have been wounded by a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

The Defence Department said the soldiers had been hurt when an improvised explosive device detonated during a patrol in Helmand province today.

A coalition soldier and two Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) personnel were also wounded in the explosion.

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One of the Australians and the coalition soldier were airlifted to a nearby medical facility.

The three remaining casualties returned to the base at Tarin Kowt for treatment.

Australian soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Fallen Digger's brother shares family's grief

"The patrol uncovered three additional IEDs within a compound of interest,'' Defence said in a statement.

"The commander on the ground cordoned off the compound to ensure no civilians entered the area.

"The Australian soldiers' families have been notified.''

Australia's main base in Afghanistan is due to close at the end of this year and 1000 soldiers will head home as the NATO-backed mission in the country moves to a new era of Afghan self-sufficiency.

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Forrest and Rinehart: Top End growth

Fortescue Metal's Andrew Forrest wants government tax breaks to encourage people to build homes in Australia's north. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIA'S biggest mining entrepreneurs, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Gina Rinehart, have outlined their blueprints for populating the north, with Mr Forrest urging the federal government to remove capital gains tax on people who build second homes in the north.

As powerful voices, including senior members of the Coalition and major players in private enterprise come together in a push to transform the northern frontier, the key point of common ground is that families must be encouraged to settle north.

Northern lights of north's prosperity

Andrew Forrest, whose Fortescue Metals Group has in rapid time become one of the world's leading iron ore suppliers, out of WA's Pilbara, told News Ltd the north would only grow in human terms if people were encouraged to build homes.

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Gina Rinehart prefers the idea of personal income tax breaks and creating special economic zones. She wants a mass relaxation of regulations in a model that first assists business, after which population growth will follow.

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Mr Forrest, who believes big cities will one day span the north, favours a direct bricks and mortar approach. But he said workers would not invest in northern towns because the tax department treated second homes "like a luxury property, like someone who wants to invest in a ski chalet in the mountains''.

"And so they take the Fly In, Fly Out option, whereas we should be encouraging through our taxation system everything we can to build up remote communities and we can only do that most effectively in the longer term with investment.

"Apply first home-owner benefits to people who only invest in one, two, three or four houses. These are the people who are directly for the permanence of building the communities.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart believes mass relaxation of regulations that first assists business, after which population growth will follow.. Picture: Jane Dempster

"Don't look at that like a second--home luxury, look at it as a building Australia's frontier investment. Allow them the breaks they'd get on a first home. They're not going to be able to buy a place in Thredbo; these are applied to parts of Australia where the government knows you need new investment."

Mrs Rinehart, the world's richest woman, believes special economic zones, or SEZs, where regulations relating to Customs and foreign investment are relaxed, will encourage the free market economy and bring new settlers north.

"SEZs are all over the world, thousands of them, and when these are set up to encourage investment have been of considerable benefit to their respective countries," said Mrs Rinehart.

"We have vast resources in our north, but only about five percent of our population live there," she said.

"Our north is close to our Asian neighbours with their growing needs. But we cannot sit back and think that this will automatically encourage investment and opportunities for growth and increased revenue, unless we can reduce our costs and become more cost competitive.

"The North has a great spirit. Getting the policies right is critical to the success of encouraging more wealth generation in this region, and to me that means less regulation, less taxes, which are critical to being able to be cost--competitive."

Mr Forrest said he was not privy to Coalition draft papers, which propose a dramatic rethink on populating the north with dams, public servants and permanent populations to support medical, mineral and agricultural food bowl developments.

"I've got a deep knowledge of the bush, and the isolated parts of Australia, and I can only give you a personal perspective," he said.

"I'm fairly squarely in the camp that Fly In Fly Out workers are necessary when there's precisely no other choice, but I'm more deeply convicted that you do everything you can to build up the community in which you're working from or visiting.

Gina Rinehart's daughter Hope Welker has formally withdrawn from Supreme Court action against her mother.

"And you encourage your workers to invest in those communities."

Mrs Rinehart said she was excited by the Coalition draft papers.

"There's certainly positives happening," she said. "I hope they keep developing well and I hope this will give those already living in the north and those who move there, too, a much better chance."

One of the authors of the leaked Coalition papers, the shadow minister for northern development, Ian MacDonald, expressed concern about SEZs, even though it was raised as a talking point in the papers.

"Some of the special economic zones that are spoken about could not in my view happen in that same form in Australia," said Mr MacDonald, who likes more traditional notions of governments assisting private enterprise with the streamlining regulations and supporting land releases.

"There are other ways local, state and federal governments can encourage new industries in the north."

Anthony Albanese, Minister for Regional Development, did not respond to requests for comment.

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Cattle dogs use will get farmers jailed

The iconic Aussie cattle dog - pictured is Toni Gardiner with one of her champion dogs - has been brought to heel under new animal welfare rules that could see farmers jailed for cruelty. Picture: Dave Cronin Source: The Advertiser

THE iconic Aussie cattle dog has been brought to heel, under new animal welfare rules that could see farmers jailed for cruelty.

Animal Health Australia (AHA) has told sheep and cattle farmers the use of dogs and electric prods "should be limited to the minimum necessary''.

Sheep dogs with a habit of biting must be muzzled - as well as cattle dogs rounding up calves. The AHA wants public feedback on its plans for the first national animal welfare standards for cattle and sheep.

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Farmers would be fined and possibly even jailed for deliberate cruelty, under the proposed rules to come into force next year.

Livestock must be given adequate nutrition, water, space and "social contact'' with other animals.

Cattle Council animal health and welfare adviser Justin Toohey yesterday said stressed cattle produced tougher meat.

"The drover's dogs are part of the family but there has been a trend to move away from dogs for cattle,'' he said."It's not such a big issue mustering in open paddocks, but in yards the dogs can go a bit ballistic.

"You can get dogs biting the hocks and I've seen dogs swing on the tail and bite off the brush.''

AHA spokesman Kevin de Witte said dogs biting sheep and cattle was "always an issue''.

"Essentially we're using a predatory species to herd a prey species,'' he said.

"If you've ever seen a sheep dog trial it's a beautiful thing to see, but dogs that are not under control and bite or bark constantly are no longer really acceptable.''

Sheepmeat Council chief executive Ron Cullen said a good sheepdog was "worth a couple of good men''.

"The dog uses its eye and its bark, and knows how to stand and push,'' he said.

Working Kelpie Council vice-president Barbara Cooper said few farmers used the Australian cattle dog, a mix of collie, dingo and ``a dash of dalmatian''.

"The cattle dog is a severe biter,'' she said."He was developed when the sheep were wild, and was a necessary part of the pioneering situation.

"But now the cattle are handled regularly and don't require a severe biting job, so most of the livestock management is kelpies or border collies.''

The AHA is a non-profit company set up by the federal, state and territory governments, and farming and animal welfare groups. Its proposed guidelines state that cattle and sheep must be kept safe from extreme weather, drought, fires, floods, disease, injury and predation.

Farmers must not fire metal pellets at cows during mustering, and must not use electric prodders "in an unreasonable manner''.

"A person in charge must have a dog under effective control at all times during the handling of cattle (and) ensure a dog is muzzled when moving calves less than 30 days old that are without cows,'' the guidelines state.

"A person in charge of a dog that habitually bites sheep must muzzle the dog while working sheep.''

Toni Gardiner, who has been a registered cattle dog breeder for nearly 20 years, said public feedback on the national standards will help dogs.

"Any person being cruel to an animal, whether they are farmers or not, should be jailed for animal cruelty," she said. 

"It is up to the owner/handler to ensure that they have chosen the right dog and that it is fully trained for the job intended."
 

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Ambos do their lolly over eating ban

AMBULANCE dispatchers complain of low morale at call centres. Source: The Courier-Mail

THEY are entrusted with one of the most critical jobs in society but ambulance dispatchers aren't trusted to feed themselves or drink without spilling.

Call centre workers have been banned from eating lollies at their desks and are being forced to drink only out of "sippy cups".

The "micro-managing" has sparked claims that workers fear being burnt out as the busy flu season approaches.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Saturday that communication failures and meal break issues contributed to the tardy response to a Brisbane man left to treat himself after crushing his leg under his own truck.

Documents showed the man died of a heart attack last year after waiting almost 40 minutes for the right paramedics to arrive after a hungry dispatcher wrongly coded his case as non life-threatening before going on a break. At the same time, a key clinical supervisor was also in the mealroom.

QAS Commissioner Russell Bowles acknowledged there were systemic failures in the case of the man's death, but said they had been fixed.

But workers say low morale in the communications centres was putting lives at risk.

Dispatchers in southeast Queensland communications centres are not allowed to keep lollies, fresh fruit or other food in their drawers or water bottles or cans of soft drinks on their desks.

United Voice ambulance co-ordinator Jeanette Temperley said it was harming morale for frontline staff.

"It's been a long-running issue, particularly in the Brisbane comms," she said.

"They can't even have a snack, like a muesli bar or anything. They're definitely micro-managed."

Australian Paramedics Association president Prebs Sathiaseelan said the Queensland Ambulance Service needed to "deal with real issues" and focus on boosting morale instead of crafting "trivial rules".

He said dispatchers felt over-monitored and over-scrutinised.

"They're forgetting the basic principle of what they're there for - worrying about a can of soft drink or lolly is absolutely trivial," he said.

One southeast-based dispatcher told The Courier-Mail the rules created a "ridiculous work environment".

"You can't have fresh fruit, you can't have even a lolly," he said.

"So when your break comes around, we're very anxious to get out."

He said the conditions made it harder to concentrate.

A QAS spokesman said the "carefully researched" rules ensured staff remained "focused on their task at hand and to protect vital technology".

"Staff are allowed to consume fluids during their shift in special containers supplied by the QAS," he said. "This is to minimise the risk to vital technical equipment."

Dispatchers get two 30-minute meal breaks and three 15-minute screen breaks per 12-hour shift.

A spokeswoman for Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said the minister was too busy to be interviewed on the issue.

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Abbott still says no to gay marriage

Christine Forster, the sister of politician Tony Abbott and her partner Virginia Edwards arrive at a Ellen DeGeneres Welcome Party on March 26, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

TONY Abbott is standing firm in his opposition to gay marriage despite his two youngest daughters urging for the practice to be legalised.

Mr Abbott last night said he would not allow a conscience vote on gay marriage while ever the official party position was against it.

"Coalition party policy is that marriage is between a man and a woman," the Opposition Leader told Sky News on Sunday night.

"Now, if future party rooms decide that it is no longer party policy, well then, obviously, there won't be a whipped vote, but it will be up to future party rooms to determine what the policy is.

"While it's party policy there's no question of a conscience vote. It only becomes a free vote if there is no policy on the subject."

Frances Abbott and Bridget Abbott, two of the Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott's three daughters. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Mr Abbott's daughters Bridget, 20, and Frances, 21, gave an interview to News Limited last week and said they hoped and prayed the issue of gay marriage would be legalised.

They said their view was cemented by seeing their aunt, Mr Abbott's youngest sister, Christine Forster fall in love with her partner Virginia Edwards.

Frances said being in the design community "where there is quite a large gay population" had illustrated "at the end of the day it is love...love is equal."

"Dad and I have had a few discussions about it," Frances said.

The Abbott Family Christmas Card. Pictured left to right: Margie, Tony, Frances, Louise and Bridget.

"I believe it is inevitable, I believe by the time our generation gets into power I hope and pray something is done about marriage equality and gay rights."

Bridget added: "I just think being gay is a lot more accepted and open for our generation. Chris and Virginia are a completely normal couple. They're exactly the same as Mum and Dad except they happen to both be women."

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said the issue of gay marriage could be a breakthrough election issue this year.

"It certainly was in the US election," Mr Croome told ABC News 24 this morning.

The lesbian widow taxed $363,000 after her wife's death says she's optimistic the Supreme Court will strike down a statute defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Deborah Gembara reports.

"It will be the same in Australia. If either of our national leaders were to move forward on this issue it would be a big plus for them electorally. It would appeal to younger voters and it would certainly, for Julia Gillard, galvanise the Labor party in support of her.

"So I can't see why they wouldn't support this issue."
 

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Crean will fight any tax on super

Simon Crean has reportedly vowed to oppose any move by the govt to tax earnings on superannuation accounts.

Simon Crean is against changes to superannuation. File  picture: John Feder Source: News Limited

DUMPED cabinet minister Simon Crean says there is widespread discontent in the Labor caucus over a potential plan to raid superannuation contributions and earnings in the May budget.

Mr Crean, who was integral in bringing on last month's leadership showdown between Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, said this morning he would oppose any moves by his own party to tax superannuation retrospectively.

"I don't have a problem if we are going to improve adequacy going forward," Mr Crean told ABC News 24.

"But we have got to draw the line if there is any attempt to tax retrospectively what people have accumulated because that is tantamount to taxing people surpluses – your surpluses – to fund our surplus.

"That's not on."

Asked if a lot of people within the Labor caucus shared his concern over potential changes to superannuation by Wayne Swan in the May 14 budget, Mr Crean responded: "They do".

"I am not too sure at this stage what it is that is being proposed by those in the cabinet that are speaking about this, what I urge them to do is frame this debate sensibly," he said.

Speculation has mounted that Labor plans to raid the superannuation contributions and earnings of wealthy Australians in order to help pay for some of its key policies like the Gonski education reforms and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Two weeks ago Mr Crean sat in cabinet as Regional Australia minister. He was sacked by Ms Gillard after publicly calling for a leadership spill between her and Mr Rudd.

Last night Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he couldn't guarantee an incoming Coalition government would repeal any changes to superannuation.

He said his party would oppose such changes but if passed they may not be able to be repealed immediately.

"What we can't do is solve all the problems that this bad government has created overnight," Mr Abbott told Sky News.

"There are many things that this government has done that we don't like but it will take time to repair the damage that this government has done."

Asked by News Limited this morning if he would consider crossing the floor if the superannuation changes came to a vote in parliament, Mr Crean said he was not getting ahead of himself.

"I have never threatened to cross the floor on any issue and I am not going to start now," he said.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's frame the argument on the debate."

Mr Crean wouldn't say if he had received any feedback from Julia Gillard or Wayne Swan over his comments on superannuation.

"I've said what I have so say, so let's just leave it at that," he said.

The government has been accused of engaging in class warfare over retirement savings, with the opposition warning Labor is planning a "sneak attack" on super funds in the May budget, The Australian reports.

Trade Minister Craig Emerson on Sunday said his party had no plans to lift taxes on the superannuation of ordinary Australians but that super savings of the "fabulously wealthy" should be debated.

"People who are fabulously wealthy gaining effectively an advantage by putting their money into superannuation and being taxed at 15 per cent, where the everyday Australian may be facing a tax of 30 per cent, I think does enliven a debate," he told Sky News on Sunday.

"We are not seeking to impose new taxes on the superannuation accounts of ordinary Australians.

"But there is a legitimate debate about the very top end."

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'It all happened so quickly'

Momentos left at the scene of Thursday's freak wall collapse which claimed the lives of Bridget and Alexander Jones. Main picture: Andrew Brownbill Source: Herald Sun

A WOMAN who held the hand of a teenager critically injured in a freak city wall collapse, begging her to "hang in there", is devastated the girl has died.

Bridget Jones, 18, became the third victim of last week's tragedy, losing her fight for life three days after her brother, Alexander, was killed.

Brielle Chapman confirmed that in his last moments, a heroic Alexander had tried to save his sister.

"It all happened so quickly," she said.

"Alex yelled out 'watch out' and shielded his sister - and then the whole wall just collapsed, and they were gone."

Ms Chapman, 27, fought back tears as she told of the next "horrific" minutes as she and her four sisters dug through the rubble in a desperate bid to find the pair.

"Nothing could prepare us for what we were going to find," she said.

Friends leave flowers for Bridget Jones after hearing of her death. Picture: Andrew Brownbill

"(Alex) had taken the full extent of the collapse. Bridget was underneath him.

"We knew Alex had already gone. I grabbed Bridget's hand and I was saying to her 'Hang in there. You'll be OK'.

"She wasn't conscious, but I know she knew I was there, as she clung to my hand."

Ms Chapman was on holiday from NSW with sisters Bianca, 24, Olivia, 21, Jessica, 20, and Shayla, 15.

"We were following not even a metre behind them. It could've been us," she said.

"It's a complete tragedy."

Eighteen-year-old Bridget Jones has died, becoming the third person killed by a Melbourne wall collapse.

Tributes flowed for the siblings - both arts students from Melbourne University - as it emerged that Bridget had succumbed to severe head injuries in Royal Melbourne Hospital at 6.30am yesterday.

Devastated parents Ian and Sue Jones, both 57, from Montmorency, released a statement about their "kind-hearted and respectful" children.

"We were so very proud of both of our children," the couple said.

"They were always kind-hearted and respectful. They had a wide network of friends and yet were both very close to each other."

Mr and Mrs Jones said Alexander, who was nicknamed Zander by his friends and was school captain, had been planning to study law and aspired to go into politics.

Bridget had been considering a teaching career.

Friends of Alexander and Bridget Jones chalked tributes on the footpath and left flowers and momentos at a makeshift shrine on Swanston St. Picture: Andrew Brownbill

"They loved sport - particularly tennis, which they played since they were five - and all different genres of music," the grief-stricken parents said.

They said Alexander and Bridget were keen Blues supporters who had been on their way to meet their father for the first Carlton game of the season.

The former high school of the Jones siblings is planning a service to honour their lives.

Principal Allan Robinson of Montmorency Secondary College, where the siblings excelled in their VCE studies, said Alexander and Bridget were high-achieving students who were widely admired.

"Zander and Bridget were devoted to each other as brother and sister and the bond between them was incredible," Mr Robinson said.

"They were both quality young people, thoroughly admired, respected and loved by every student and member of staff.

"In the coming days we will be working on a plan of action to appropriately remember and honour Bridget and Zander."

Melbourne University has also offered to host a memorial service.

Mr Robinson paid tribute to their parents, Ian and Sue Jones.

"They are wonderful parents and nobody can imagine how difficult and incredibly sad this is for them at this time," he said.

"The college is offering its heartfelt support to the Jones family and friends and this includes many members of our college community."

Friends gathered at the scene of the tragedy at the former CUB brewery in Swanston St yesterday, chalking tributes to their lost mates on the footpath.

Fresh flowers, pictures and other mementos, including a Carlton teddy bear, were left at a makeshift shrine.

Friend Maddie inscribed in a card: "Two amazing people have been taken from us far too soon. You were both going to change the world! You are both going to be missed more than ever."

Monika Vulevu Cushe posted on a Facebook tribute page: "R.I.P Bridget Jones - heaven has a new angel, together with your loving brother."

Bridget and Alexander with parents Ian and Susan.

Another woman killed in the wall collapse remains unidentified.

Police said they were awaiting formal identification of the victim, believed to be a Mount Waverley woman aged in her 30s.

Royal Melbourne Hospital intensive care specialist Dr Thomas Rechnitzer has expressed "heartfelt sympathy" to the Jones family.

"Despite every effort by multiple teams of dedicated doctors and nurses, who did all they could for Bridget over the past three days, Bridget has died as a result of severe head injuries," he said.

Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine sent his condolences.

"This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family," he said.

Friends of Alexander and Bridget Jones and the unnamed woman who died in the Carlton wall collapse pay their respects at the site. Picture: Chris Scott

"This incident will be fully investigated by the coroner and other relevant authorities."

WorkSafe, the State Coroner, Victoria Police and Grocon, which owns the site, have all launched investigations.

Touchingly, a neighbour saw Bridget kiss her mother goodbye the day before the tragic event: "Sue and Ian were just totally devoted to their children. Not so long ago Ian was here speaking for an hour about how well they were both doing at uni - he was so proud of them."

Alexander had aspirations to become prime minister of Australia.

One friend called Alexander, known as "Prime Minister Giggles", "a prince among men".

Many said they would miss the arts student's cheeky grin and "that laugh".

"I can't describe my pain in words," a friend, Riley, wrote in a tribute.

"You were our light and glue that held us together."

Gillian Goldsworthy wrote on a Facebook tribute page: "Absolutely devastated to hear that Bridget lost her fight for life. Words cannot express my sadness at Ian and Sue's loss. Our thoughts are with you."

Monika Vulevu Cushe posted: "R.I.P Bridget Jones - heaven has a new angel. Together with your loving brother."

Friend Eric Goon called Alex an "amazing man". "He and Bridget were really close. It was typical Zander to be walking her to class."

Former teacher George Ghobrial said the "gifted" student was destined for great things.

"I taught him science and he was just perfect. He did very well academically; but not only that, he was a wonderful person with lots of friends.

"I taught Bridget the year after and she was the same - a lovely person.

"It is so sad."

rebekah.cavanagh@news.com.au

- with James Dowling, Jon Kaila

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Labor saves $50m on travel expenses

Labor saving on air travel. Source: Supplied

HIGH-flying federal bureaucrats have had their wings clipped with the government saving more than $50 million in six months by using many of the methods utilised every day by travellers.

Finance Minister Penny Wong yesterday said the savings were achieved by booking travel further in advance, selecting lower-priced, but less flexible, fares, and using online bookings rather than travel consultants.

New half-year results for government air travel show the total bill came in at $193 million for the first half of the 2012-13 financial year.

It was down 22 per cent, or $54 million, on the previous year. The volume of air travel also decreased 17 per cent.

"The Gillard Government is committed improving efficiencies in the public service and these figures are evidence of the real savings being made,'' Senator Wong said.

"The reduction in volume of air travel also shows that agencies are using other methods of conducting their work without requiring travel, such as through telepresence facilities.''

Labor claims it has saved $13 billion since coming to power, including in travel, hospitality and IT.

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