Swan spruiks Labor till the end

Former treasurer Wayne Swan isn't overly confident of holding onto his north Brisbane seat. Source: AAP

WAYNE Swan isn't overly confident of holding onto his north Brisbane seat.

The former federal treasurer says he's energised but realistic that the electorate of Lilley can swing.

Mr Swan lost Lilley in 1996, only to regain it in the 1998 election.

At noon, he strolled across the road from his Kedron home of 30 years to vote at the local school.

In tow were his children Lab and Matt, the latter a first time voter.

Politicking to the end, Mr Swan talked up the Labor's disability care scheme and the NBN before pointing out the school hall they would vote in was built by the Labor government during the global financial crisis.

"We're really proud, he works really hard for Lilley," daughter Lab said.

Mr Swan believes voters made up their minds long ago and thinks Lilley, which he holds by a marginal 3.2 per cent, could go down to preferences.

"Elections aren't won or lost on the last day, the last week or the last month: in many ways they are decided much earlier than that," he said.

"What you've done in the previous three years is more important."

A voter calling herself Lauren said that she appreciates what Mr Swan has done for the school, where her children are educated, and the local community.

"And I like his persona," she said.

"I am disappointed in the Labor party, but he is one member that I would still be committed to."

Small business owner Ken said he was voting for change.

"I don't think we'll survive without it," he told AAP.

"We need to see money going back into small business. It's really suffering and everyone I talk to is the same."

Local man Michael wanted to see Mr Swan pay for broken budget promises.

"He's done his dash, it's been a long dash," he told AAP.

11.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Voting late backfires on Rudd

Kevin Rudd faced a hostile reception from refugee advocates as he cast his vote in Brisbane. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd faced a hostile reception from refugee advocates as he arrived to cast his vote in east Brisbane.

Mr Rudd got out of his car at St Paul's Anglican Church with wife Therese Rein and, holding up one of his own how-to-vote cards, joked about getting her to vote for the man in the picture - him.

The prime minister, who if the polls are right is set to be removed from government on Saturday night, was set to vote early in the morning but changed his mind in order to do last-minute interviews and campaigning.

But the move backfired when protesters upset about the federal government's so-called Papua New Guinea Solution on asylum seekers hurled abuse at Mr Rudd as he walked to the booths.

Then an Australian Electoral Commission official told the media they weren't allowed to enter the booth to film the prime minister casting his vote because they weren't accredited.

After a brief delay while officials made inquiries, reporters were allowed to enter.

11.27 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hugh Jackman to pick up top film awards

HUGH Jackman is set to be honoured with two top awards at film festivals in Switzerland and Spain next month.

The X-Men star will receive the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival, where he will also present his new film Prisoners in the gala premieres section.

Jackman will be presented with the award at a ceremony on September 28.

He will also be feted with the San Sebastian Film Festival's Donostia Award for lifetime achievement on September 27.

Zurich Film Festival director Karl Spoerri said Jackman was in a class by himself as a multi-talented entertainer with a global following.

"There is nothing he can't do and he proves this time and time again with every project he's involved in," Spoerri said in a statement.

11.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rudd reiterates: get out of Syria

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has reiterated his warning for Australians to get the hell out of Syria.

the situation in Syria is continuing to evolve and Australia, which is to chair the UN Security Council from Sunday, remains in close consultation with allies around the world, Mr Rudd says.

The United States has released an intelligence report expressing "high confidence" the Syrian regime launched a chemical onslaught in the suburbs of Damascus last week, killing 1429 people, including at least 426 children.

Work in New York on the preparation of a security resolution "is increasingly problematic" because there are a range of views on the council on the best way forward, Mr Rudd told reporters in Darwin on Saturday.

Australia believes there is overwhelming evidence that chemical weapons were used, and that the Syrian regime was responsible, the prime minister said.

"I emphasise again. If there are any Australians currently in Syria just to get the hell out of there. It is not the time to be fooling around," he said.

Mr Rudd said it was critical for Australians in the middle east to pay attention to Australian government travel advisories.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne told reporters in Sydney she did not support the idea of Australia taking presidency of the security council "and then trying to go around the security council to back a pre-emptive strike by the United States".

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has accused Kevin Rudd of exaggerating Australia's role in the Syrian crisis.

The Labor leader hit back, accusing his opponent of a lack of foreign policy experience.

Senator Milne said whoever becomes prime minister of Australia next weekend is going to have an added level of responsibility with the Security Council and presidency of the G20.

"That means Australia has an unprecedented level of involvement and influence," she told reporters in Sydney.

"We've not seen Tony Abbott's capacity in that regard but I'm not going to condemn either of them in that regard because I think everybody knows Australia has to step up."

11.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aust 'nastier than Taliban' on refugees

A PROMINENT human rights lawyer has compared the major political parties to the Taliban as he endorsed the re-election of Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young as an alternative voice on refugees.

Speaking to reporters alongside Senator Hanson-Young in Adelaide on Sunday, Julian Burnside QC said it was the first time in his life he had publicly supported a political party.

"I'm doing it because this is the first time in Australia's history that we've seen both major parties promising to outdo each other in cruelty to one group of human beings," he said.

His comments came as Senator Hanson-Young launched the Greens' refugee policy.

She said analysis from the parliamentary budget office showed taxpayers could save $3.2 billion if all offshore detentions centres were shut down, as well as some onshore centres.

The money could instead be used to give asylum seekers work rights so they could contribute to the economy and the community, she said.

"Many Australians want a new way, a more human way, and what we've shown today is that (this) is cost-effective as well as being the right thing to do."

Mr Burnside said Australia's asylum seeker policy had hurt the country in the eyes of civilised nations and it was now regarded as selfish and cruel overseas.

More than half the boat refugees who had arrived in the last 15 years were ethnic Hazara fleeing the Taliban, he said.

"We make ourselves look even nastier than the Taliban so that people won't try to come here," he said.

"Is that the Australia you want to live in?"

The Greens would also put a 30-day limit on the length of time asylum seekers could be kept in detention for health and security checks before being released into the community on bridging visas.

They would also increase Australia's humanitarian intake from 20,000 a year to 30,000.

11.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man taken by croc at Top End party

A BIRTHDAY celebration in the Top End has ended in tragedy as a man was attacked by a crocodile and is believed dead.

Police say a 26-year-old Darwin man was celebrating a friend's 30th birthday on Saturday at the Mary River Wilderness Retreat, about halfway between Darwin and Kakadu National Park.

At around 3pm (CST), two male partygoers were swimming across the muddy river when one was grabbed by a five-metre long saltwater crocodile.

"The Mary River is known worldwide to have the greatest saturation of adult saltwater crocodiles in the world. You don't swim in the Mary River," watch commander Geoff Bahnert told AAP.

He said alcohol may have played a part in the decision to take a dip.

"Several of the group in the party witnessed the male being taken in the jaws of the croc for a period of time, and then he was out of sight," he said.

Police and the NT Crocodile Management Team arrived at the lodge and caravan park before last light on Saturday, and an officer shot one of the largest crocs found in the area.

It's not yet known whether it was the attacking crocodile.

"That was to make sure that it wouldn't hamper any rescue attempts - large crocodiles are territorial," Sen Sgt Bahnert said.

The victim's parents and sister drove to the site from Katherine to be briefed by police on what is now most likely a recovery operation.

Police are still taking statements from traumatised witnesses, and dragging the river in search of the body.

"The Mary River is a tidal river, with lots of water movement," Sen Sgt Bahnert said.

"It's 20 hours since he's been missing and he hasn't been located yet.

"We hold the gravest of fears."

The advice to tourists is to come, look, take photographs and stay out of the water.

"We advise people check the water before entering swimming pools - that's how seriously we take water safety in relation to crocodiles," Sen Sgt Bahnert said.

"Any body of water you're going into in the NT, there's the potential for a croc to be in there."

11.28 | 0 komentar | Read More

IOOF lifts annual profit

WEALTH manager IOOF has lifted its full year profit to almost $80 million and says new superannuation laws will increase its funds and benefit its business.

The value of funds the company manages or supervises rose by 11 per cent in the 2012/13 financial year to $120.2 billion.

Managing director Christopher Kelaher forecast further growth in those funds in the current financial year.

"With superannuation legislated for continuing growth, we will be well-positioned to continue to gain greater market share," he said.

IOOF's full year net profit of $79.8 million was up from $19.3 million in the previous year, a result that was impacted by a $63 million deferred tax liability.

The company declared a fully-franked final dividend of 22.5 cents.

11.28 | 0 komentar | Read More