PM Abbott to travel to Johannesburg

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott will travel to Johannesburg to attend a memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

Mr Abbott said in a statement on Saturday he would extend an invitation to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to accompany him on the trip to South Africa in the coming week.

It is also the last parliamentary sitting week of 2013.

"There is a long bipartisan history of Australian support for South Africa and the campaign to abolish apartheid," the prime minister said.

Australian flags will be at half mast on the day of the former South African president's official memorial.

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Pilgrim robber on journey to Vic hold-up

HE was dressed as a pilgrim but he was not on his way to a holy place.

Wearing a purple pilgrim top with a white collar and green gloves, a man entered a suburban Melbourne milkbar, demanded cash from the front counter and then produced a knife.

When the staff member refused to hand over money, the bandit jumped on the counter and pulled out the entire cash register.

He fled with a second offender, who was standing at the door of the Ringwood East milkbar.

The incident happened on Old Lilydale Road on November 28, about 9.20pm (AEDT)

The pilgrim bandit is described as 180cm tall with a solid build, an Australian accent and wearing black track suit pants and black shoes.

The second offender is described as tall and thin but it is not known it was a man or woman.

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Asthma hampers play, sex and work: study

NEARLY a third of dads with uncontrolled asthma avoid running around with their kids, according to a study that shows the condition affects almost every aspect of adult life.

It takes a toll on dating, sexual pleasure and people's careers, according to an Asthma Australia report on the study of more than 1000 people with poor asthma control.

More than one in 10 mothers in the study avoid playtime with their children and 16 per cent of parents find it difficult to carry their child. 

More than two million Australians have asthma, and the condition can be controlled with the right medication and treatment plan, says respiratory physician Dr Simon Bowler.

"There is absolutely no reason why people with asthma can't gain better control."

He said the place to start was to discuss an action plan with a GP.

Dating and socialising are a major problem, with a large proportion of people in the study saying they cannot not keep up with friends during a night out. Many say they go home early.

A third say they worry about wheezing at the theatre or movies.

One young woman said she didn't tell her boyfriend about her asthma on their first few dates. When she could not hide it any more, she pretended it wasn't important.

A third of men and about 20 per cent of women in the study say their asthma interferes with their sex life.

Asthma Australia CEO Mark Brooke says it is essential for people to ask their GP for help.

"Often simple changes like getting a treatment plan or reviewing their medication can help minimise the impact on patients' sex lives," said Dr Bowler, chair of the organisation's medical advisory committee.

More than half of the people in the AstraZeneca-sponsored study miss work every year because of their symptoms.

Almost 20 per cent take time off six times a year or more.

A large proportion say asthma has hampered their career.

Almost two thirds have had an asthma attack at work, with 40 per cent saying stress made their symptoms worse.

One senior executive said he had been embarrassed by staff who tried to keep away from him when he had an asthma cough.

Only six per cent say their colleagues are supportive and many do not feel comfortable taking medication in front of others.

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House 'cleanest in world': Lawson

Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has again denied allegations of heavy drug use in a London court. Source: AAP

NIGELLA Lawson may be a "domestic goddess" but she doesn't accept being called "the lady of the house".

In a second day of evidence on Thursday, Lawson stood in high-heeled boots for another four-and-a-half hours of answering questions in a UK court - with some of her responses sparking a few smiles and giggles.

Testifying at the trial of two former assistants accused of fraudulently using her and former husband Charles Saatchi's credit cards, the celebrity cook took issue with defence barrister Karina Arden referring to her as "the lady of the house" - a home she later joked must have been the "cleanest house ever in the world".

Repeating the term back to the barrister, Lawson said: "I don't think it is the job of a woman to run a house."

She said it was the job of both herself and Saatchi, and has already told London's Isleworth Crown Court she is an "independent woman".

When asked if the multi-millionaire Saatchi Gallery owner had an interest in the house, Lawson said: "Absolutely. He would go round and point out marks he wanted removed.

"He is a person with a tremendous eye for detail."

When Arden was asking if a property owned by Saatchi was sold for STG25 million ($A45.3 million), and Lawson said she was not aware of the exact sum, the barrister said the figure had been reported in the press, to which the TV star replied: "Then it must be correct."

Her response prompted laughter from the members of the court press bench.

The food writer said among other duties, defendant Francesca Grillo would organise Saatchi's frappuccinos and sew buttons on his suits.

Arden asked if Francesca did the food shopping, to which Lawson replied: "I do a fair amount myself."

The barrister then said: "This is no criticism of you as a domestic goddess."

At one point, Arden referred to Saatchi as Charles and quickly apologised, to which Lawson replied, as quickly: "I don't mind what you call him."

Arden told Lawson she shares her "penchant for things Italian" and added that she did not mean that as a criticism.

Lawson said: "I don't see how that could ever be interpreted by anyone as a criticism."

When asked by Arden about specialist cleaners who came to their home, Lawson said Saatchi "likes to have control over every element".

She said: "You make the wrong assumption if you think I was in control of the decisions, and I don't think for one minute your client would disagree with me."

Speaking about weekends in which she would have been happy to spend time with family and do her own washing up, Lawson said she "complied" with her ex-husband's decision to call in help.

Arden said the former couple's home had a "silver room" filled with tea services, candlesticks and trays.

The barrister said silver cleaners visited once or twice a month and charged STG400 per visit.

Lawson disputed this, saying "mostly the silver looked awful" and she was glad to see the back of it.

When Arden suggested she probably did not clean the silver very often herself, Lawson said: "I do like cleaning silver and cleaning shoes.

"I find it incredibly therapeutic."

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Australia seals FTA with South Korea

AUSTRALIA has sealed a Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Mr Abbott told parliament Trade Minister Andrew Robb had successfully concluded negotiations with Korea, which is Australia's third largest export market.

Mr Abbott said it was good news for exporters, jobs, farmers and the country at large.

"Under this agreement, tariffs will be eliminated on Australia's major exports to Korea and there will be significant new market openings in services and investment," he said.

Tariffs will be phased out over the next 15 years on products such as beef, wheat, dairy, sugar, wine, seafood and fruits.

The deal will now go to cabinet and the joint standing committee on treaties.

"The conclusion of this free trade agreement will see the delivery of a key election commitment," the prime minister said.

Mr Abbott told parliament Trade Minister Andrew Robb had successfully concluded negotiations with Korea, which is Australia's third largest export market.

Mr Abbott said it was good news for exporters, jobs, farmers and the country at large.

"Under this agreement tariffs will be eliminated on Australia's major exports to Korea and there will be significant new market openings in services and investment," he said.

Tariffs will be phased out over the next 15 years on products such as beef, wheat, dairy, sugar, wine, seafood and fruits.

The deal will now go to cabinet and the joint standing committee on treaties.

"The conclusion of this free trade agreement will see the delivery of a key election commitment," the prime minister said.

Negotiations for the South Korea deal commenced under Labor in March 2009.

It is one of three FTAs Mr Abbott has pledged to secure in his first 12 months as prime minister. He also hopes to sign agreements with Japan and China.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said Australia and Korea were strong friends during both war and peace as they shared common values and interests.

He said the FTA presented significant opportunities for Australia, including boosting economic growth, creating more competitive industries, and providing consumers with access to goods and services at lower prices.

"The pursuit of these objectives drives Labor's support for a more open, global trading system," Mr Shorten said.

He requested that senior government officials soon provide a briefing to the opposition, and that the government release details of the agreement at the earliest possible time so it can be reviewed and assessed.

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Qantas CEO says airline management 'great'

QANTAS chief executive Alan Joyce has launched a spirited defence of his management team's performance, saying they're doing a "great job in tough circumstances".

Qantas said on Thursday it would shed at least 1000 jobs as it works to save $2 billion over the next three years, after announcing it expects to post a half-year loss of up to $300 million.

Qantas' shares dropped 14.5 per cent to $1.06 as of 1235 AEDT following the announcement.

The news comes as Qantas continues to talk to the federal government about possible support for the airline.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Mr Joyce said he'd be taking at least a 38 per cent pay cut in 2013 due to the the airline's poor performance.

But he defended the work of Qantas' board and management.

"I believe the management of Qantas are doing a great job in tough circumstances," Mr Joyce told Sky News.

"The Qantas board and management are operating in tough environments and I believe are continuing to do a good job in tough circumstances."

He said there were a lot of airlines around the world that "would love to be reporting a profit nine of the last 10 years".

He said Qantas had a strong domestic franchise, a strong Jetstar business and a strong frequent flyer business.

"The value that we've created in this company and the strategic position that we've put the company in has been great," Mr Joyce added.

He said Qantas had made money in the domestic market in two out of the last three years.

But he said Qantas wasn't operating on a level playing field because its main domestic competitor Virgin was funded by three state-owned enterprises.

"That's created this unbalanced ... playing field," Mr Joyce said.

He said the airline was talking to the federal government about getting support, but refused to be drawn on what specific options were in play.

"I'm not going to give a running commentary," he said.

Trading conditions for Qantas deteriorated markedly in November with a steeper decline in passenger loads and yields.

In August, Australia's major airline swung to a $5 million full year profit, from a historic $245 million loss in the previous year.

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Branson attacks Qantas management, service

BILLIONAIRE Richard Branson has urged the federal government to resist helping Qantas, saying the airline's management and service are to blame for its financial woes.

Qantas' rival Virgin Australia on Tuesday received approval from the Takeovers Panel for its planned $350 million equity raising which will allow major foreign shareholders to increase their stake in the airline.

It comes as Prime Minister Tony Abbott this week left the door open to allow greater foreign ownership of Qantas which is subject to laws ensuring it is at least 51 per cent Australian-owned.

Mr Branson, whose Virgin Group owns a 10 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, said it seemed strange that a liberal government would consider tilting the playing field in Qantas' favour.

"It would be grossly unfair and bewilder investors in Australia and worldwide," Mr Branson tweeted on Wednesday.

"If Qantas was better managed and offered the public a decent service it would not be in the financial mess it is currently claiming it is in."

He said the government should encourage competition, not "prop up the weak" when the going gets tough.

Virgin Australia's major shareholders Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways own about 73 per cent of Virgin and plan to take up their full entitlement of new shares.

Qantas, which had been lobbying the federal government to stop Virgin's capital raising, released a statement saying the playing field was tipped in favour of Virgin whose three government-owned foreign airlines covered their losses.

"Qantas doesn't have that luxury and yet our customers have never been better served," the airline said.

"That's thanks to Qantas staff, who are the people responsible for our record customer service ratings."

The escalation of the feud between the two airlines comes after Virgin boss John Borghetti said his company was considering legal action over Qantas boss Alan Mr Joyce's claims that backing from foreign airlines allowed Virgin to run at a loss, thereby undermining competition.

In August Qantas recorded a $5 million profit as the battle for Australian airways reduced local earnings.

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Video shows Vic premier desperate: Oppn

THE release of a video by Victorian Premier Denis Napthine ruling out laws that would restrict a woman's right to choose to have an abortion was a move by a rattled and desperate premier, the opposition says.

Independent MP Geoff Shaw, who holds the balance of power in the parliament, has reportedly approached Dr Napthine wanting to overhaul the state's abortion laws.

A motion was passed at the Victorian Liberal Party state conference on Sunday backing changes to abortion laws.

Dr Napthine released a video message on Tuesday night ruling out changes.

"As premier, neither I nor my government have any intention of introducing legislation that would reduce a woman's right to choose," he said.

"This issue was vigorously debated in the community and settled in the parliament in 2008.

"Let me again be crystal-clear about this - I have no intention whatsoever of introducing or supporting legislation that would reduce a woman's right to choose."

Acting opposition leader James Merlino said the premier was rattled.

"The premier released a video yesterday which can only be described as a move by a rattled and desperate premier," he told reporters.

"The fact of the matter is the only way that this issue will be debated in the parliament next year is if Premier Napthine has made a deal with Geoff Shaw."

Mr Merlino said it was clear Mr Shaw wanted a debate on the issue and it would be up to Dr Napthine to decide whether to give it the green light.

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Two dead, 45 wounded in Thai protests

One protester has been killed after an attack on a bus carrying government's supporters in Bangkok. Source: AAP

TWO people have been killed and 45 people have been wounded during political violence in the Thai capital.

The opposition has vowed a final push to overthrow the government on Sunday.

"The confirmed toll is now two dead and 45 injured," an official at the city's Erawan emergency centre told AFP.

The circumstances were unclear but the violence broke out after a confrontation late on Saturday between opposition protesters and government supporters staging their own rally at a Bangkok stadium in support of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

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G20 to shutdown tax leaks: Abbott

Australia is the new chair of the G20, the top global forum for examining the world's economic. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIA hopes to lead a united global charge against profit shifting during its Group of 20 presidency.

The nation on Sunday assumed host rights for the 2014 forum of the world's leading economies, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott setting a clear agenda.

"We are determined to ensure that we, as far as we can, improve the world's international taxation arrangements so we don't have the kind of leakage we've had in recent times through transfer pricing," Mr Abbott told reporters in Brisbane, the host city for November's leaders summit.

"The principle here is you should pay tax in the country where you earn the revenue and we will be talking to our G20 partners to make sure this is the case."

There will be a focus on private sector-led economic economic growth with talks on trade and banking, Mr Abbott added.

"We will be demonstrating what we believe is sound economic policy," the prime minister said, championing his domestic agenda of reduced taxation and regulation to drive productivity.

"It isn't just a meeting, it is a year to show practical leadership."

Australia will extend an invitation for the upcoming G20 to "key member of the global economic system" Singapore and "closest friend" New Zealand.

And as Australia continues to heal its wounds with Indonesia over spying allegations, Mr Abbott deflected speculation that visiting G20 leaders could be subject to eavesdropping, as was allegedly the case in 2013 when Russia hosted the summit in St Petersburg.

"I can promise leaders around the world that are visiting Australia that I'm going to be absolutely candid with them," Mr Abbott said.

"I won't be saying anything in private that I don't say in public. That's my commitment to the leaders of the world and I want to build the best possible G20."

The G20 presidency will see Australia host meetings of finance ministers, trade ministers and employment ministers, culminating in the leaders' summit, with some 4000 delegates and 3000 media representatives due to visit the country.

"The cost to the commonwealth is in the order of $400 million ... but we believe that the benefits of hosting a gathering like this ... far outweigh the costs," Mr Abbott said.

But at least one group will be voicing opposition to the event.

"While the coming together of nations could be an opportunity to promote peace, social justice and ecological sustainability, the G20 is perpetuating financial and economic system that is failing the majority of the world and destroying the planet," Kim Stewart said on behalf of the Brisbane Community Action Network G20.

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