Qld man killed by falling tree branch

A man has been killed by a falling tree branch while fishing with three children south of Brisbane. Source: AAP

A MAN has been killed by a falling tree branch while fishing from a riverbank with three children south of Brisbane.

The 39-year-old was fishing on Teviot Brook near the Logan River at Jimboomba when he was hit by the large tree branch at 5.45pm (AEST) on Friday, a police spokesman told AAP.

Paramedics attempted to revive the man but he died at the scene.

Three children that were with the man were not hurt.

Police could not say whether the man was the children's father.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

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Family heartache over Arctic 30 detention

The family of "Arctic 30" crew detained in Russia have spoken of their anguish over their detention. Source: AAP

RELATIVES of two Greenpeace activists detained with 28 others in Russia over an Arctic oil drilling protest have told of their heartbreak over their extended detention.

Tasmanian Colin Russell, 59, and Sydney resident Alex Harris, 27, are among the so-called Arctic 30 charged with piracy and hooliganism over a protest against the oil drilling in September.

Russian authorities announced on Friday they would apply for a three-month extension to their detention.

Mr Russell's daughter Maddy broke down on Saturday morning as she spoke about not having her father back by Christmas during a support rally near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

"We've had only one call in the whole 60 days since this happened," Ms Russell, 24, said.

"I had a hope in the back of my mind that he would be home in time for Christmas and I don't know what to make of it now."

Ms Harris, who is a UK citizen living in Manly in Sydney's north, has been writing letters to her cousin and housemate Gemma.

"As she writes each letter, each time I read them she becomes stronger and stronger," Gemma said.

As part of a global day of solidarity, about a hundred people gathered in Hickson Road Reserve holding up big white letters that spelled out "Free the Arctic 30".

They also released 30 doves, one for each person detained.

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Sydney bikie associate charged over arms

A Hells Angels associate has been charged with weapons offences after a raid in southwestern Sydney. Source: AAP

A HELLS Angels associate has been charged after police seized a stun gun, ammunition and steroids from a house at southwestern Sydney.

The items were seized by police from Strike Force Raptor as they undertook a raid at a house in Ambarvale.

Police arrested a 20-year-old man at the house and he was charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing an androgenic steroidal agent, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition.

He was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.

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Two-time shark victim feels he was spared

An abalone diver who survived two separate shark attacks nine years apart feels God saved his life. Source: AAP

THE abalone diver who incredibly survived a second shark attack has revealed he did not see the great white that tried to bite his head off - but instead recognised the sound of teeth on bone.

Greg Pickering, 55, was diving for abalone off a remote part of Western Australia's southern coast last month when he was attacked by a suspected great white shark.

It was the second time Mr Pickering had lived through a shark attack, after being bitten by a 1.5 metre bronze whaler while in waters near Cervantes, north of Perth, in 2004 as he was trying to help a friend.

Speaking about his ordeal for the first time, Mr Pickering told the Seven Network's Sunday Night program about the circumstances of the attack, which left him needing 10 hours of surgery on facial and other wounds.

"I heard the sound, the thrashing sound, of teeth on bone - and I remembered the sound from the last time I was bitten," Mr Pickering said.

"I thought 'that is probably a shark', but I didn't see it - I heard the attack."

The show claims Mr Pickering is now the only man in the world to be attacked by sharks in separate incidents and live to tell the tale.

And the interview will also detail how Mr Pickering used his 40-year diving experience to hold his breath and rise to the surface slowly after the attack, despite the water turning red around him from the blood pouring from his horrific injuries.

A roll of duct tape and a towel was then used to hold Mr Pickering's shredded face together, as his eight-hour journey to hospital began.

Mr Pickering told reporter Mark Ferguson how he felt he had been spared his life.

"It (the shark) suddenly stopped and let me go - so I have definitely been given another chance," Mr Pickering said.

"I do believe I have been given a second chance. God has given me a second chance there is no doubt about that."

Soon after the attack, Mr Pickering's family expressed their thanks to paramedics, surgeons, doctors and nurses who helped save his life, while Fisheries Department director-general Stuart Smith slapped a kill order on the shark.

But the order was then called off because the shark was not sighted again and was no longer considered a threat to school-holiday campers in the area.

Mr Pickering returned to the area where he was attacked, Poison Creek at Cape Arid National Park, about 180km east of Esperance, to tell his story.

*The interview with Mr Pickering will air on the Seven Network's Sunday Night at 6.30pm AEDT on Sunday November 17

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Second round of severe storms closes Schoolies

Steve Ots catches massive hailstones falling in the water of the Sunshine Coast.

ANOTHER day, another storm in the southeast. Follow all the weather action here.

7.15pm: ACCESS to the schoolies beach party has been closed temporarily while emergency services evaluate the storm threat.

Thousands of schoolies are assembling on the streets around Cavill Mall.

Gold Coast Schoolies spokesman Wayne Hickson said emergency services are keeping an eye on a developing storm front but organiser have no plans to close off the beach party at this stage.

"It would have to be cyclonic weather to stop these guys from partying," Mr Hickson said.

"At the moment the worst of the storm looks like it will go around us but we have plenty of systems in place in case we need to evacuate the beach quickly."

Messages broadcast on large television screens, SMS warnings and audio warnings are on hand to alert schoolies if required.

If the party is shut off, Red Frogs volunteers will do the rounds at hotel room parties to keep the estimated 30,0000 school leavers entertained and out of trouble.

Mr Hickson said schoolies week is off to a slow start but is sure to pick up as the night wears on.
 

6.50pm: THE Bruce Highway has been reopened at two sections following separate incidents earlier this evening.

Motorists can now use one lane of the highway after a minor car crash 40km north of Gin Gin.

Emergency services are still removing the damaged vehicle from the road.

The highway is also open near Marlborough, north of Rockhampton, after a tree-related incident about 3pm.

A 'very dangerous' thunderstorm on the Sunshine Coast brings hailstones the size of tennis balls.

6.30pm: THUNDERSTORMS may rain on the parade of school leavers with another round of severe weather warnings issued for southeast Queensland.

The weather bureau has warned residents near the NSW border to expect storms near the McPherson Range by 6.25pm and Springbrook and Little Nerang Dam by 6.55pm.

The storms are moving northeast and forecasters have advised locals near the Gold Coast to prepare to batten down the hatches.

Further north, similar warnings have been given to residents near Mackay, Prosperine, Moranbah, Collinsville, Hamilton Island and Sarina on the central Queensland coast.
 

PICTURES: Readers capture southeast storms

3pm: DOUBLE Island Point, Rainbow Beach and Wide Bay are now being warned to brace for thunderstorms with the Bureau predicting impact at around 3.05pm.

At 2.35pm severe storms were detected near Beenleigh and Russell Island, they are forecast to affect Mount Cotton, Macleay Island and Victoria Point by 3.05pm.

Hail hits the water at Maroochydore and leaves huge splashes. Picture: Steve Ots

Police are advising motorists that the Bruce Highway is closed near Marlborough, north of Rockhampton, after trees fell onto the road.

PICTURES: Readers capture southeast storms

2.50pm: Steve Ots is visiting the Sunshine Coast from the Gold Coast and witnessed the hail storm from his twelfth storey apartment on the Maroochydore esplanade.

Got a storm pic?  MMS 0428 258 117

"I started hearing really loud noises - like a construction site," he said. 

"When I looked in the distance I could see all this splashing up the river and I realised it was hail. 

PICTURES: Readers capture southeast storms

A resident of Mooloolah Valley holds up a massive hailstone from a storm that sounded like explosions on the roof.

"Originally I thought someone was throwing things from the apartment above us.

"The hail was orange-sized and it looked like a war zone…it was crazy, I've never seen hail like it before."

Taking shelter on his balcony Mr Ots said the hail caused considerable damage on the ground below.

"I wonder about the damage that it must have done," he said, 

"You wouldn't want to be on the ground when these things were coming down…the speed was pretty phenomenal."

2.45pm: Double Island Point, Rainbow Beach and Wide Bay are now being warned to brace for thunderstorms with the Bureau predicting impact at around 3.05pm.

At 2.35pm severe storms were detected near Beenleigh and Russell Island, they are forecast to affect Mount Cotton, Macleay Island and Victoria Point by 3.05pm.

Police are advising motorists that the Bruce Highway is closed near Marlborough, north of Rockhampton, after trees fell onto the road.

2.40pm: The Bureau of Meteorology has updated weather warnings with very dangerous thunder storms detected near Maroochydore and Beenleigh, both cells are moving east.

Hail at Novotel Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

Got a storm pic?  MMS 0428 258 117

Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Jacobs Well and Russell Island by 2:45 pm.

Thunderstorms were also located north of Noosa and at Lake Cooloola.

2pm: The Bureau of Meteorology has added to the list of southeast Queensland towns warned to brace for oncoming storms.

Dangerous storm cells have been detected on radars near Jimboomba, Logan Village, Greenbank and Conondale.

PICTURES: Readers capture southeast storms

Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Beenleigh, Logan City, Nambour and Mapleton by 2:20 pm.

Cleveland, Manly, Wynnum and Yandina may be affected by 2:50 pm.

Massive hailstones pounded the Mooloolah Valley. Picture: Higgins Storm Chasing/Rebecca Shepperson

1.35pm: The Bureau of Meteorology has updated its storm warnings, with two storms cells centred around Maroochydore and the area between Boonah and Beaudesert.

The storms are moving towards the east to northeast.

The storms are classed as "very dangerous" and are forecast to affect Tamborine, Jimboomba, Logan Village and waters off Coolum Beach by 1:55 pm.

Beenleigh, Coomera, Hope Island and Jacobs Well will be hit by 2:25 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near the NSW border and the area south of the NSW border.

They are forecast to affect the area southwest of Noosa Heads, the area west of Noosa Heads, Tewantin and Pomona by 1:55 pm.

Coolangatta, Caboolture, Noosa Heads and waters off Noosa Heads are predicted to be affected by 2:25 pm.

Residents are warned to brace for large hailstones and damaging winds.

The water funnel as seen from a dive boat off Wynnum. Picture: Josh Keen

1.15pm: Tennis ball-sized hail has fallen at Buderim as a large storm cell sweeps over the Sunshine Coast.

Got a storm pic?  MMS 0428 258 117

The Bureau of Meteorology has reported "very dangerous thunderstorms" detected on weather radar near Maroochydore, Boonah, Caloundra and the area between Boonah and Beaudesert.

PICTURES: Readers capture southeast storms

They are forecast to affect Beaudesert, waters off Caloundra and waters off Maroochydore by 1:25 pm and Canungra, Mount Tamborine, Tamborine and Jimboomba by 1:55 pm.

Marburg, Lowood, northern Lake Wivenhoe and Mount Kilcoy will receive falls at around 1:25 pm.

Ipswich, Crohamhurst, Maleny and Conondale will receive further falls by 1:55 pm.

12.55pm: Residents are reporting a blanket of hail, some the size of large marbles, after more than 20 minutes of solid falls.

The storm cell is moving east to northeast and are forecast to hit Maroochydore by 12.55pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has also detected severe thunderstorms near Esk and to the west of the town.

The storms are forecast to affect Boondah, Esk and the northwest of Esk by 12.55pm, and the area between Boonah and Beaudesert, northern Wivenhoe and Toogoolawah by 1.25pm.

Got a storm pic?  MMS 0428 258 117

Damaging winds and very large hailstones are likely.

Capricornia, parts of the Central Coast, the Whitsundays, the Central Highlands and the Coalfields districts are being warned to brace for damaging winds and large hail stones in the next two hours.

Emerald, Rockhampton, Clermont, Blackwater, Yeppoon, Baralaba, Marlborough, St Lawrence and Dysart may be affected.

Earlier, walkers on the Wynnum foreshore got a shock this morning when a large water funnel was spotted just off the coast.

Reader Janet Rough snapped a picture about 6.45am, with the odd formation dominating the skyline.

Commonly referred to as a water spout, Bureau of Meteorology Duty Forecaster Gordon Banks said the formation was more likely to be a small tornado over water.

Meet the one man weather bureau

Readers capture southeast storms

"In this instance being as it was associated with a thunderstorm it's most likely a tornado over water," he said.

"It would actually pick up water as it moved; it's hard to see if they don't have water or dirt wrapped around them."

Also spotted from the airport, if the formation is a tornado Brisbane could be on the receiving end of a weather phenomenon.

"If it was a tornado, and I suspect it was but it's hard to prove, then it's very unusual and very rare," Mr Banks said.

"Statistically we're unlikely to get another one, but if the environments produced one there remains a chance of another.

"It's just another part of the danger associated with thunderstorms and why it's always best to take cover."

Southeast Queensland's wet weather is expected to continue, with the bureau predicting significant rain over Sunday and Monday with thunderstorms also predicted.

- reporting by Caitlin Drysdale, Naomi Lim, Jacinda Tutty and Kathleen Donaghey

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Ex-Thai PM's children cause online uproar

THE daughters of Thailand's self-exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra have criticised an online leak of flight details showing they flew first-class to London with eight suitcases.

But they denied they were following their father's footsteps and fleeing the country.

Thai Airways said it was investigating if one of its employees committed the ethical breach, which came during Thailand's latest round of mass street protests against Thaksin. The former prime minister was ousted in a 2006 military coup but remains at the centre of a long-running political crisis.

A photograph posted online of a computer check-in terminal shows the names, seats and ample baggage allowance of Thaksin's two daughters, Pintongta, 31, and Paetongtarn, 27. It was posted late Thursday, shortly after their flight left Bangkok.

By Friday, the photo was the buzz of Thai-language web forums, with some commentators criticising the ethics of posting private flight details and others questioning if the Shinawatra sisters were fleeing the political heat at home.

Both sisters posted messages Friday saying they were in London and would return soon.

"(I'm) not seeking asylum," Paetongtarn said on Instagram. "(I'm) here for six days to work." She added, "Haters will always make up stories to accuse us."

A Thai Airways official said the pair had checked more than 150 kilograms of luggage and were seated in first class. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the airline's policy of not disclosing passenger information.

"I'm here with my sister to work and will be back within a week," Pintongta said. "I guess there will be no more stories for the protesters to talk about? Give yourselves a break."

The recent protests were triggered by a proposed political amnesty bill that critics said was designed to bring Thaksin home. He fled the country in 2008 to escape a corruption conviction and is now based in Dubai but regularly travels in Europe and Asia.

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Caroline Kennedy arrives in Japan

CAROLINE Kennedy, the lone surviving child of slain US president John F. Kennedy, has arrived in Tokyo to take up the post of US ambassador to Japan, pledging to boost ties.

The 55-year-old Kennedy's arrival comes a week before the 50th anniversary of her father's assassination in Dallas.

"Hajime-mashite ('Nice to meet you')," a smiling Kennedy told reporters in Japanese at Narita airport on Friday before moving to the US embassy in downtown Tokyo.

"It is a special honour for me to be able to work to strengthen the close ties between our two great countries ... Our alliance is critical to a prosperous and peaceful world," she added in a brief speech, accompanied by her husband, Edwin Schlossberg.

Kennedy is the first female US ambassador to the Asian giant, which consistently ranks lower than other wealthy nations on women's empowerment in politics and business.

Kennedy's appointment has been hailed in Japan, although some critics have voiced concern at having a diplomatic novice in the important post at a time of high tensions between the close US ally and a rising China.

A scion of political royalty, Kennedy has largely shunned the limelight though she has publicly championed her family's brand of progressive politics.

She played a pivotal role in the Democratic Party's primary in 2008 where she was an early and vocal backer of Barack Obama against perceived front-runner Hillary Clinton.

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NSW man dies after crashing into tree

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has died after crashing his car into a tree in central west NSW.

Emergency services were called to a rural road at Butlers Falls, near Dubbo, early on Friday afternoon on reports a Holden Commodore had smashed into a tree, police say.

The driver and only occupant of the car died at the scene.

A crime scene has been established and investigation is underway.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward.

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Cleo brings back the centrefold

Sydney model Jordan Stenmark is gracing Cleo's pages for the return of the centrefold. Source: AAP

ALL the single ladies, all the single ladies, gather round. The Cleo centrefold is back.

And the man who has dared to bare for the spread is Sydney model Jordan Stenmark.

You may have heard your mothers, aunties or big sisters talking about the spread which showcased good looking men wearing very little.

The Cleo centrefold was first introduced in November 1972 by then editor, Ita Buttrose, and actor Jack Thompson was the man brave enough to disrobe for the spread - and disrobe he did with just his hand strategically placed to barely protect his modesty.

The subject of the centrefold also formed part of the plotline for the recent drama Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo.

In 1985, then Cleo editor Lisa Wilkinson replaced the centrefold with the Cleo Bachelor of the Year.

Outgoing Cleo editor, Sharri Markson, said bringing back the centrefold was something she wanted to do for her readers.

"I noticed how much our readers loved Bachelor and it's only once a year, and I think girls want to see gorgeous men every month instead of just once a year," she told AAP on Friday.

The editor said the centrefold has come back over the years from time to time, although mostly with a playful element.

"You know, sometimes they might feature a banana," she said.

Stenmark, 21, has modelled for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein alongside his identical twin brother, Zac.

"I chose to feature Jordan over Zac as Jordan is single which I prefer because it gives the reader hope," Markson said.

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Two-time shark victim feels he was spared

An abalone diver who survived two separate shark attacks nine years apart feels God saved his life. Source: AAP

THE abalone diver who incredibly survived a second shark attack has revealed he did not see the great white that tried to bite his head off - but instead recognised the sound of teeth on bone.

Greg Pickering, 55, was diving for abalone off a remote part of Western Australia's southern coast last month when he was attacked by a suspected great white shark.

It was the second time Mr Pickering had lived through a shark attack, after being bitten by a 1.5 metre bronze whaler while in waters near Cervantes, north of Perth, in 2004 as he was trying to help a friend.

Speaking about his ordeal for the first time, Mr Pickering told the Seven Network's Sunday Night program about the circumstances of the attack, which left him needing 10 hours of surgery on facial and other wounds.

"I heard the sound, the thrashing sound, of teeth on bone - and I remembered the sound from the last time I was bitten," Mr Pickering said.

"I thought 'that is probably a shark', but I didn't see it - I heard the attack."

The show claims Mr Pickering is now the only man in the world to be attacked by sharks in separate incidents and live to tell the tale.

And the interview will also detail how Mr Pickering used his 40-year diving experience to hold his breath and rise to the surface slowly after the attack, despite the water turning red around him from the blood pouring from his horrific injuries.

A roll of duct tape and a towel was then used to hold Mr Pickering's shredded face together, as his eight-hour journey to hospital began.

Mr Pickering told reporter Mark Ferguson how he felt he had been spared his life.

"It (the shark) suddenly stopped and let me go - so I have definitely been given another chance," Mr Pickering said.

"I do believe I have been given a second chance. God has given me a second chance there is no doubt about that."

Soon after the attack, Mr Pickering's family expressed their thanks to paramedics, surgeons, doctors and nurses who helped save his life, while Fisheries Department director-general Stuart Smith slapped a kill order on the shark.

But the order was then called off because the shark was not sighted again and was no longer considered a threat to school-holiday campers in the area.

Mr Pickering returned to the area where he was attacked, Poison Creek at Cape Arid National Park, about 180km east of Esperance, to tell his story.

*The interview with Mr Pickering will air on the Seven Network's Sunday Night at 7.30pm AEDT on Sunday November 17

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More help for NSW bushifre victims

New funding has been announced to help clean up homes destroyed by the Blue Mountains bushfires. Source: AAP

BUSHFIRE-AFFECTED residents in the Blue Mountains are a step closer to getting debris and asbestos removed from their properties with extra funds announced for the work.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says the clean-up will be free for people in Winmalee and Springwood where fires destroyed more than 200 homes and damaged another 120 properties.

"The scale of the bushfire damage in the Springwood and Winmalee areas is immense ... and the NSW Government is committed to supporting the area," he said on Thursday.

"To assist, the NSW Government will work with insurers and fund the clean-up and removal of all bushfire debris, including the disposal of asbestos-contaminated material from destroyed homes."

It comes after Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill criticised the government on Wednesday, saying that the clean-up of the region was taking too long.

But Mr O'Farrell dismissed the claims saying in his two-and-a-half years as premier, he had never seen such a rapid response and that the fire that devastated Winmalee and Springwood was only declared officially out on Wednesday.

The assistance is being provided under the Commonwealth-NSW Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, and follows other funding for the region.

While the clean-up continues, Mr O'Farrell urged others in NSW to travel to the Blue Mountains for a weekend or meal to support the local economy.

Senator Doug Cameron, who has been scathing of both state and federal government responses to the bushfires, welcomed the assistance as a "victory for common sense".

The federal coalition government should now take a similar step by restoring the eligibility criteria for disaster recovery payments to aid Blue Mountains residents, he added.

"The Abbott government should also deliver on the prime minister's promise to provide concessional loans of up to $100,000 to Blue Mountains small businesses that have been devastated by the fires," the NSW Labor senator said.

Senate government leader Eric Abetz justified the decision to change eligibility for bushfire victims to receive emergency funds during Senate question time.

Federal government payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child are now available to people who are injured or whose homes are destroyed or damaged in the fires.

People who had to flee the fires then return to find their homes still standing but in need of serious clean-up efforts would miss out.

Senator Abetz said the previous Labor government had used the same eligibility on five occasions in the past including during floods and storms in Queensland in 2008, 2009 and storms in Victoria in 2010.

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Six soldiers booted for demeaning women

DEFENCE has booted out six soldiers for their part in the so-called "Jedi Council", an informal ring that shared offensive material including vision of secretly filmed sex acts.

Another seven may be sacked.

Army chief Lieutenant General David Morrison said their services had been terminated for production or distribution of highly inappropriate material demeaning women - and the message was clear.

"If you engage in misconduct, or you fail to uphold the army's standards, then you will be held to account," he said in a statement.

The "Jedi Council" scandal emerged in June when it was revealed a group of about 100 people, mostly soldiers, had been exchanging offensive material on the Defence computer system and the internet.

The group was allegedly co-founded by a former commando reservist officer who emailed video of himself having sex with a woman to associates on the network.

Up to 60 Defence personnel viewed the imagery, commenting on her appearance and performance.

Police identified several female victims of the "Jedi Council", variously referred to as "married moll number five" or "virgin moll". The group made references to gang-bangs and demands for more images.

Group members also allegedly exchanged images of women accompanied by offensive commentary, digitally altered images and images of naked women.

Of the six now discharged - ranging in rank from sergeant to major and from regular army and reserve units - NSW police are still investigating three who might face civil charges.

Another 11 have been implicated and Defence is considering whether to sack seven. The other four have faced, or will face, internal action.

General Morrison said Defence had concluded investigations into another 172 mostly army members identified as peripheral to the group's email exchanges. They too may face internal action.

"The Australian Army is overwhelmingly an organisation of 44,000 talented and professional men and women, who serve their country with pride and distinction," he said on Thursday.

"The standard of behaviour we expect of our serving members is clear."

He revealed on Thursday that 122 army members had been sacked this year.

That includes 15 officers and 35 soldiers for misconduct or unacceptable behaviour, one officer and 52 soldiers in relation to drugs and 19 soldiers for civilian offences.

"Where any serious case of misconduct or unacceptable behaviour is proven, the Chief of Army is resolved to take every step available to remove the individual responsible from the army," Defence said in a statement.

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Yoko Ono is no longer misunderstood

Yoko Ono says her work is like the Sydney Opera House: once misunderstood, but eventually accepted. Source: AAP

YOKO Ono says her work is a bit like the Sydney Opera House: once misunderstood, but eventually accepted.

The same could be said for the avant-garde artist and widow of John Lennon herself.

The woman who for years was blamed for breaking up the Beatles has come to terms with people, well, not liking her work very much.

Speaking at the War Is Over! (if you want it) exhibition's media launch on Thursday at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Ono said she often had often come up with ideas she thought were brilliant, only to confront the criticism of others.

"They thought, 'What is she doing?'," she told reporters.

In that respect, Ono compared her work to another, once polarising artwork: the Sydney Opera House.

"Because most people don't understand it and they attack it, but one day they might go, 'Oh, it's not so bad'."

Ono said she had never been concerned about what people think of her, or her work.

"I don't at all think, 'Will I fit or not?'" she said.

"There is so much to art that (artists) don't have to be concerned about how people think about it."

As she approaches her 81st birthday, Ono shows no signs of stopping. Her first major Australian exhibition opens on Friday at the MCA. Ono posed for photographs with a backdrop of the Opera House, wearing her signature sunglasses and a white hat that echoes Utzon's sails.

The works in the exhibition showcase everything the eccentric artist, activist and musician is about and represent the culmination of five decades of her artistic pursuits.

With War Is Over, Ono wants to give up the right of judgment - in true postmodernist style - to the visitor: you make the meaning.

There are eight "participatory" works in which Ono invites people to immerse themselves.

The most hyped is called Play It By Trust. Visitors play a game of chess with only white pieces, the eventual confusion of whose-piece-is-where leading to a sense of "peace" between players, as competitiveness founders.

Another is Wish Tree For Sydney, which allows visitors to write private messages of hope and peace in letters tied to eucalyptus saplings.

But potentially the most popular piece is My Mommy Is Beautiful, a poignant work that invites people to write Post-it messages of love and thanks or anger and sadness, to their mothers, and attach them to a wall.

"It was inspired by my mother," Ono explained.

"I could not say anything to her now. I wanted to say, 'I'm sorry I didn't understand what you were going through'."

Ono says there's a very important reason for the exhibition's title - because it's up to us if we want to create change.

"Recently, I said, 'By 2050 we will create a heaven on earth'."

"Somebody asked me...'How?'"

"Well, by us doing it, not asking anyone else. We have to do it," Ono explained.

"This show is like the beginning of that - for you to work in certain physical creativity."

That's a lot of pressure, Sydney.

* The War is Over! (if you want it): Yoko Ono exhibition opens at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday.

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Bird flu strain infects human for 1st time

A STRAIN of bird flu that scientists thought could not infect people has shown up in a Taiwanese woman, a nasty surprise that shows scientists must do more to spot worrisome flu strains before they ignite a global outbreak, doctors say.

On a more hopeful front, a company on Wednesday reported encouraging results from its first human tests of a possible vaccine against a different type of bird flu that has been spreading through Asia since first appearing in China last spring that is feared to have pandemic potential.

The woman, 20, was hospitalised in May with a lung infection. After being treated with Tamiflu and antibiotics, she was released. One of her throat swabs was sent to the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control. Experts there identified it as the H6N1 bird flu, widely circulating in chickens on the island.

The patient, who was not identified, worked in a deli and had no known connection to live birds. Investigators couldn't figure out how she was infected. But they noted several of her close family and friends also developed flu-like symptoms after spending time with her, though none tested positive for H6N1.

The research was published online on Thursday in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Since the H5N1 bird flu strain first broke out in southern China in 1996, public health officials have been nervously monitoring its progress - it has so far killed more than 600 people, mostly in Asia. Several other bird flu strains, including H7N9, which was first identified in China in April, have also caused concern but none has so far mutated into a form able to spread easily among people.

"The question again is what would it take for these viruses to evolve into a pandemic strain?" wrote Marion Koopmans, a virologist at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands, in a commentary accompanying the new report.

She said it was worrying that scientists had no early warning signals that such new bird flus could be a problem until humans fell ill. Scientists often monitor birds to see which viruses are killing them, in an attempt to guess which flu strains might be troublesome for humans - but neither H6N1 nor H7N9 make birds very sick.

Koopmans called for increased surveillance of animal flu viruses and more research into predicting which viruses might cause a global crisis.

"We can surely do better than to have human beings as sentinels," she wrote.

The vaccine news is on the H7N9 bird flu that has infected at least 137 people and killed at least 45 since last spring. Scientists from Novavax Inc, a US company, say tests on 284 people suggest that after two shots of the vaccine, most made antibodies at a level that usually confers protection.

"They gave a third of the usual dose and yet had antibodies in over 80 per cent," said an expert not connected with the work, Dr Greg Poland of the Mayo Clinic. "This is encouraging news. We've struggled to make vaccines quickly enough against novel viruses," he said.

Results were published online by the New England Journal of Medicine.

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NSW same-sex bill defeated, tears in parly

A BILL to legalise same-sex marriage in NSW has been defeated by the narrowest possible margin, with its supporters crushed they couldn't win just one more vote.

The bill was voted down on Thursday by 21 votes to 19.

While a disappointment for some, it was a common-sense decision for others.

Premier Barry O'Farrell said on the eve of the bill's introduction to parliament last month that he wanted to see a national law rather than "patchwork" state legislation.

Under the bill, couples would have inferior rights on matters such as the custody of children and property settlement, Mr O'Farrell argued.

Christian Democrat Fred Nile credited the premier's statement as the decisive factor in the vote.

"He finally agreed to make that public statement and it did have the effect that I was hoping it would have on some of the wavering members of the coalition," Mr Nile told reporters.

He said he would be "celebrating the victory" at his own marriage in December.

Nationals MP Trevor Khan said he found the vote "very difficult to accept".

Mr Khan was part of a cross-party group that worked on the private members bill introduced to the upper house in October by Labor MP Penny Sharpe.

Ms Sharpe says the introduction of gay marriage is just a matter of time.

"We know communities are ahead of our parliaments on this," she said.

One major concern was the validity of the bill in the face of a possible High Court challenge.

Independent MP Alex Greenwich was also heartened.

"Today people were looking for excuses (to vote against the bill) outside of the moral questions around being gay," he said.

But strong community opposition to same-sex marriage was exposed during the debate when Labor MP Helen Westwood read out a "hate letter" she received.

The gay MP cried as she read the correspondence that stated: "the majority (of people) would rather see all queers burnt at the stake".

Australian Christian Lobby spokesman Lyle Shelton said it was time for people to "move on", saying that "each time parliament spends time debating this issue is a lost opportunity to debate policies at the heart of government".

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Christine Campbell quits Vic parliament

LABOR'S member for Pascoe Vale, Christine Campbell has announced she will quit state parliament at the next election.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Ms Campbell announced her retirement after 17 years of service.

"It remains my honour to represent the Pascoe Vale electorate in the Victorian Parliament and I have decided that on 28 November, 2014 I will conclude my time as a member of parliament," Ms Campbell said.

"Until the election, my magnificent electorate officers and I will continue to give the party and electorate our total service."

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

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New MPs look to history for inspiration

NEW MPs in Australia's 44th parliament have taken inspiration from history as they made their first speeches in the House of Representatives.

New Liberal MP Sarah Henderson, a former ABC television journalist, pointed to lessons from the first women in the House of Representatives, Dame Enid Lyons, while Labor's Jim Chalmers, who was an adviser to former treasurer Wayne Swan, said he was inspired by former prime minister Paul Keating.

A total of 42 new MPs will make their first speeches in the House of Representatives over the coming months.

Ms Henderson, the new Liberal member for the Victorian seat of Corangamite, pledged to be a strong, local voice for her constituents.

She was inspired to study law and eventually enter politics by Lyons, who won a seat in parliament in 1943 and after the death of her husband, former prime minister Joseph Lyons.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

The first female member of the House of Representatives might have made history but she never made an issue of her gender, Ms Henderson said.

That example should inspire the government and parliament to fight discrimination everywhere.

"Let us ensure that we are a country where equality knows no bounds," she said.

Mr Chalmers was inspired to join the Labor Party when the Keating government was thrown out of office in 1996.

The new Labor MP for the Queensland seat of Rankin said he turned 18 the day Keating lost power.

"I won't claim to remember much about the late evening of 2 March 1996. But I do recall that election being a formative experience," Mr Chalmers said.

"It helped me decide I wanted to be part of a vision like Keating's: bold, progressive and exciting.

"He championed the economic vision, Asian integration, and republicanism that I admired."

Former Senator and now MP for the Sydney seat of Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite, used his first speech in the lower house to focus on history, the arrival of the First Fleet and French explorers, and World War One veterans who settled in his beachside electorate.

He then went on to urge Australians to change the constitution to recognise the contribution of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, and to become a republic.

"I despair that my two daughters, or any other Australian child, cannot aspire to one day be our nation's head of state," Mr Thistlethwaite said.

"As a parliament and a nation, we must begin to again discuss our identity and our constitutional arrangements.

"I hope that in my time in this place, we see our nation fully recognise our maturity and become a republic."

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Debt laws pass, but face Senate changes

The Australian Greens will side with Labor to stymie a plan to increase the debt ceiling by $200b. Source: AAP

THE federal government has succeeded in rushing through laws to increase Australia's national debt ceiling by $200 billion, with the government ignoring Labor's push for a smaller increase.

However, Treasurer Joe Hockey faces a more difficult task in getting his laws through the Senate, where Labor and the Greens have the numbers to force amendments to halve the increase.

The laws that cleared the lower house on Wednesday allow the government to increase the debt ceiling, or allowable value of government bonds on issue, to $500 billion, up from the old $300 billion limit.

Treasury's pre-election budget update said the $300 limit would be reached by December this year, and would rise to around $370 billion by July 2016.

The higher debt ceiling laws were the first bill passed by the new parliament, with Mr Hockey blaming the previous Labor government for running up massive debt and for forcing parliament to extend Australia's national credit card limit.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

"It is Labor's debt, there is no excuse," Mr Hockey said.

"The previous government recognised that ultimately whoever was elected after the election would have to deal with this issue."

The treasurer noted the debt ceiling was never increased under the former Howard coalition government because "we paid off the debt".

The Commonwealth Inscribed Stock Amendment Bill 2013 passed, a win for the federal government that wanted them passed by the lower house by the end of the day.

The Senate will start debate the debt limit on Thursday in what is shaping up as the first test of the new government's ability to pass its legislative program.

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen said the opposition was happy to increase the limit to $400 billion, but the government had come "nowhere near close" to justifying the amount it wanted.

He accused Mr Hockey of hypocrisy, and said the coalition in the Senate had voted against similar moves when Labor increased the debt limit to $300 billion in May 2012.

"We will not tolerate for one second the member for North Sydney (Mr Hockey) lecturing us about why we must vote to increases in the debt cap when he did not vote for one, instructing his senators not to vote for one just a little over 12 months ago," Mr Bowen said.

Shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh noted the lower house had allowed just 70 minutes of debate for a $200 billion measure - or $47 million per second.

"Every second of this debate that elapses, the debt limit will rise $2 for every single Australian," he said.

But Prime Minister Tony Abbott told ABC television Labor's proposed amendments would not provide enough of a buffer to cover the existing debt forecasts, adding that former treasurer Wayne Swan had previously urged parliament to provide a buffer of up to $60 billion.

"This is Labor's debt. We have always been critical of Labor's addiction to debt and deficit," he said, adding the government wanted to make sure it never had to ask for another increase," he said.

Mr Abbott offered a confidential briefing for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten with Treasury Secretary Martin Parkinson, but said update budget figures would not be released until the mid-year budget review, due in mid December.

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CSR lifts profit, expects further growth

Building supplier CSR says people are again starting to buy new homes now the election is over. Source: AAP

PEOPLE are again starting to buy new homes now the election is over, building supplier CSR says.

Managing director Rob Sindel says uncertainty over the election outcome had discouraged people from buying a new home despite historically low interest rates.

But that was changing as consumer confidence also improved.

"The anecdotal evidence from builders is ... they've seen a number of contracts signed increase significantly after the election," Mr Sindel told reporters on Wednesday.

"You're seeing people go out and make that big decision to purchase a home ... build a new home or buy a piece of land."

CSR is hopeful the demand for new residential construction will continue to improve, even it building approval numbers are still showing only a modest improvement.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

"The early indicators - finance approvals and land sales - you're seeing those strengthen," Mr Sindel said.

CSR raised its forecast for Australian housing starts in the year to the end of March 2014 by five per cent, to 155,000.

"Our outlook for the next few years is a lot more positive than it's been," Mr Sindel said.

New multi-unit developments in Sydney are expected to fuel much of that growth.

But Brisbane's new housing market recovery would lag six months behind Sydney and Melbourne, the company said.

CSR's net profit more than doubled to $46.1 million in the six months to September 30, up from $16 million in the previous corresponding period, mainly because of restructuring and cost savings.

When one-off financial items related to the company's restructuring are excluded, profit was $36.2 million, up from $18.9 million in the previous corresponding period.

Earnings improved in CSR's building products, Viridian glass, aluminium and property divisions.

A weaker Australian dollar was expected to help CSR's aluminium sector.

The company is expecting a full year profit, before one-off items, of up to $70 million.

CSR shares gained 20 cents, or 8.3 per cent, to $2.61.

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Kevin Rudd quits parliament

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has announced he is quitting parliament at the end of this week. Source: AAP

FORMER prime minister Kevin Rudd has quit parliament, ending a bitter and divisive three-year chapter in the history of the Labor Party, declaring he bears no malice towards rivals on both sides of the parliamentary chamber.

Mr Rudd was given a standing ovation by MPs as he announced his decision late on Tuesday, at the end of the first business day of the new parliament.

He choked back tears and stopped to compose himself several times as he spoke of the heavy toll of politics on his family.

"My family have given their all for me and public life, and for our nation," an emotional Mr Rudd said, adding it was now time to give something back to them.

"I will not be continuing as a member of parliament beyond this week."

"It really is time for me to zip," he said, concluding with one of his key catch phrases.

Mr Rudd led Labor to a sweeping victory over conservative prime minister John Howard in December 2007, but later became embroiled in a damaging leadership feud with his former deputy Julia Gillard, which overwhelmed the party for the past three years.

Mandurah students in 'fight club'

WATCH: A new Facebook page of videos allegedly of Mandurah boys fighting has been created hours after one was removed from the site.

Mum 'driving slowly' when killed

SHARON D'Ercole was 'driving about 25km/h' when a police car crashed into her, while a suppression order over the officer charged has been lifted.

Ms Gillard defeated Rudd in a leadership showdown in June 2010, and then went on to retain power with minority government in the 2010 election.

But with the Gillard government facing dwindling support in opinion polls, Labor MPs restored Rudd to power in June this year in the hope of heading off an electoral wipeout. Ms Gillard resigned and did not contest the 2013 election.

Rudd cited keeping Australia out of recession following the 2008 global downturn as one of his greatest achievements, saying his government helped Australia avoid mass unemployment while maintaining a AAA credit rating.

His government had introduced a national school curriculum, the first ever paid parental leave scheme and a pension increase.

But it was the official apology to indigenous Australians in 2008 that remained the highlight of his political career.

"Nothing has brought me greater joy in political life than the smiles I have seen on the faces of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, young and old, country and city, as a result of the apology," he said.

"I hope though that what we've achieved through some healing of the soul will be the first step, the second of course is closing the gap to achieve a healing of broken bodies as well."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott agreed. He said ancient wrongs were addressed on the day of the National Apology.

"It was a great moment in our country's history and it happened because of him," Mr Abbott said.

Despite the infighting which saw many of his Labor colleagues openly criticise his style and personality, Rudd said he had no ongoing grudges.

"I bear no-one in this place any malice. Life is far too short for that. It is time however, for the baton to be passed to others."

He thanked his family and wife of 32 years, Therese Rein, and asked for privacy once he's no longer a public figure.

"I'm not planning on any interviews any time soon," he said.

Mr Abbott, who defeated Rudd at the September 7 election, praised the former prime minister for his contribution to national affairs.

"As a political opponent, but as someone who has known the member for Griffith quite well for a long time, I salute him and I wish him and his family all the best for the future," Mr Abbott said, adding his 2007 election win was a major moment in Australian history.

"It takes extraordinary ability, insight, guts and focus to win such a contest. He didn't just win that contest in 2007, he triumphed.

"We must pay tribute to someone of such stature who was able to vanquish in fair political fight someone of at least equal stature."

Opposition leader Bill Shorten, whose decision to back Rudd ensured his brief return to the prime ministership, said Rudd could leave parliament with his head held high.

Mr Shorten attributed Australia's success in winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council largely to his distinction on the world stage.

He said Rudd led Labor during a difficult time, and his return to the prime ministership before the September election had improved the ALP's fortunes.

"This is a tumultuous era in Labor, and with the member for Griffith's resignation tonight, part of it comes to a close," Mr Shorten said.

"I do not believe that we will see his like again in the Australian parliament."

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Bikie cops monitor Qld funerals

POLICE enforcing Queensland's anti-bikie clampdown have turned up at the funerals of recreational motorcyclists, including one who died from cancer.

Both services in Townsville were targeted after motorcyclists gave police prior warning of the ride routes and timings, mourners said.

Patrol cars attended anyway, sparking outrage from the Australian Motorcycle Council (AMC), which said it was completely unjustified.

"It is beyond ridiculous that law-abiding members of the community cannot see their family and friends off without the police making a nuisance of themselves," AMC executive member Eva Cripps told AAP.

At the male cancer-victim's funeral officers captured number plate details while riders who provided an honour guard to his coffin were in the crematorium service, witnesses say.

They also followed a group of riders attending the funeral of a woman motorcyclist.

Mum-of-three Nic Emmins, 34, was a motorcyclist at the man's funeral and said police followed riders who arrived late for the procession.

"The funeral was taking place when they rocked up, so they did a loop and took note of the bikes," she told AAP.

"We had gone through all the appropriate channels and done everything that was asked of us."

The only badged bike group represented at the funeral last month was the Patriots, a legal group made up of former service personnel, she said.

Townsville Custom Cycles' owner Leeroy Donovan, 48, attended the funeral of the woman, a customer's wife, at the end of October along with other riders.

They had told police about the ride several days earlier, he said, and were just setting off for the crematorium when local officers arrived.

"We are doing all the things they are asking and we are still getting smashed," he said.

Recreational motorcyclists have previously criticised the Newman administration's new laws, saying riders with no criminal gang affiliation are unjustly getting stopped by police.

Police say they have no record of being contacted by motorcyclists planning funeral rides.

"Townsville Police regularly conduct traffic enforcement operations across the city and district," a spokeswoman said.

"Inquiries made reveal there has been no recorded contact with Townsville District Police advising of any motorcyclists providing a guard of honour for any funeral in the last three weeks."

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Bank bailouts remain possible: EU official

THE vice-president of the European Commission says taxpayer-funded bank bailouts remain a possibility if the latest stress test of Europe's biggest banks reveals significant capital shortfalls - or if the debt crisis were to really flare up again.

However, Joaquin Almunia repeated the governments' preferred method remains to force investors such as shareholders, bondholders and ultimately depositors, to pay first.

Speaking at a conference in London, Almunia said on Tuesday that Europe's new approach to dealing with troubled banks "has created some debate".

"Logically, investors want clarity on the backstops that will be used," he said. "Let me clarify our position."

He said that troubled banks in need of new capital will have to seek it from private external sources, and then internally, via their own shareholders or junior bondholders. In unusual or dire cases - such as occurred in Cyprus - a bank restructuring could involve imposing losses on senior creditors, including depositors.

"Of course, if financial stability were at risk, the new rules provide for an exception clause," he said. "In this exceptional case, public backstops can intervene before the 'bail-in' takes place."

He that in an emergency situation, the commission would approve the use of public money to save a big bank. However, bank investors would still suffer losses in the end. In addition, under the new rules, executive pay would automatically be capped at any bailed-out bank.

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Retailers look to improved Christmas spend

RETAILERS are forecasting an improvement in spending in the weeks before Christmas, which will at least make up for another tough year.

But business confidence has lost some of its post-election gusto, undermined by continuing weak trading conditions.

A new survey on Tuesday found retailers expecting shoppers to spend about $42.1 billion during the peak Christmas shopping period starting from November 14.

By Roy Morgan Research for the Australian Retailers Association, the survey said this would be 3.3 per cent higher than during the 2012 Christmas period.

The association's executive director, Russell Zimmerman, said this growth may reflect shoppers starting the festive season early.

"The ARA is pushing for an interest rate cut in December as retailers are counting on the lead up to Christmas as an opportunity to catch up on past slower retail sales and get back on track financially," Mr Zimmerman said in a statement.

Financial markets suggest retailers will be disappointed.

Only a minimal chance of a cut in the 2.5 per cent cash rate is seen at this stage.

National Australia Bank's monthly business survey showed confidence in October wound back from a three and a half year high, albeit still in line with its long term trend going back to 1989.

Confidence jumped in the immediate aftermath of the September 7 election, which brought a majority coalition government to power after three years of fragile Labor minority rule.

Macquarie Research economist Gabby Hajj said the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) had questioned whether this boost in confidence would be sustained, especially given the underperformance of actual trading conditions.

"It appears that businesses are becoming increasingly aware that a change in government does not necessarily eliminate structural problems," he said in a note to clients.

This includes the changed behaviour of households, the imperative to reduce costs and improve productivity and also the need to cope with a strong Australian dollar.

"This result should provide a timely reminder for the RBA that more will need to be done in order to restore and sustain healthy confidence among businesses," Mr Hajj said.

NAB's business confidence index retreated to five points in October from 12 points in the previous month. Its conditions index was unchanged at minus four.

NAB's group chief economist Alan Oster said forward indicators in the survey do not paint a favourable picture for the outlook, and while employment conditions lifted to a one-year high, its index at minus three implied further job shedding ahead.

The bank expects the unemployment rate to nudge six per cent by the end of 2013, and reach 6.5 per cent by the end of 2014.

This compares with a jobless rate of 5.7 per cent in October.

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Bombing shows Syrian war risks: Dreyfus

A SUICIDE bombing in Syria by a man thought to be Australian highlights the risk posed by Australians taking part in the conflict, a former Labor minister says.

Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus says it is a concern that Australians were participating in a "truly dreadful" conflict where barbarities were perpetrated by all sides.

"Australians who are exposed to that kind of activity, who become radicalised, who become trained in that kind of military activity, it is of course a concern that they might bring back to Australia that kind of knowledge," he told ABC television's 730 program.

During the program a bomber, identified by the ABC as a 27-year-old man from Brisbane, is shown in an online video posted by al-Qaeda-linked group Jabhat al Nusra.

The man, his face pixelated but identified as "Abu Asma al Australi", stands on the back of an explosives laden dump truck reciting passages from the Koran, urging others to participate in jihad.

The truck is then pictured driving away and exploding in the distance.

This occurred in September. Jabhat al Nusra claimed it was driven by the man and said he died in the blast that also killed 30 Assad government soldiers.

However, the man's brother told the ABC it was not true. He said his brother was alive in Turkey, doesn't agree with the war and could not speak fluent Arabic like the man in the video.

A number of Australians have died in the Syrian conflict, all apparently fighting with rebel groups.

In its annual report, ASIO warned of an increasing number of Australian Muslims travelling to Syria to fight - with the risk they could return radicalised and with skills to mount terrorist attacks.

Mr Dreyfus said this was why he proscribed Jabhat al Nusra as a terrorist organisation earlier this year.

That prohibits Australians from joining or participating in any of its activities in Australia or overseas.

Where the government knows a person is intending to participate in the Syrian conflict, it can cancel a passport.

"But of course it's not always possible to determine in advance that someone is intending to participate. They might, for example, state their destination as Turkey," he said.

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Only target to cut CO2 is 5%: Abbott

A bipartisan agreement to reduce Australian emissions by more than 5% appears to be on shaky ground. Source: AAP

THE Abbott government appears to be walking away from a long-standing bipartisan agreement to lift Australia's target for cutting carbon emissions if global action on climate change is strengthened.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday said the federal government had made "one commitment and one commitment only" to reduce Australia's emissions by five per cent by 2020.

But both Labor and the coalition have since 2009 pledged to increase Australia's emissions reduction target to 25 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020 if there's genuine global resolve.

The government's Direct Action plan, released in 2010, also reaffirms their support, stating "the coalition remains committed to its previously announced target range".

The policy shift comes as global delegates meet in Warsaw for the latest round of UN climate talks, which are laying the groundwork for a new binding agreement in 2015 to slash greenhouse gas output.

Mr Abbott said Australia's position at the Warsaw discussions would be "absolutely" the same message as the government's back home.

"We will meet our five per cent emissions reduction target, but this government has made no commitments to go further than that," he told reporters on Monday.

Mr Abbott said the government was "in no way looking" to make further binding commitments in the absence of similar action from other countries, and there was "no evidence of that".

The Climate Institute's Erwin Jackson said this was a shift in a long-standing position, as the target range of five to 25 per cent had enjoyed solid bipartisan support for many years.

"The coalition has supported emission reductions of up to 25 per cent since 2009," he told AAP on Tuesday.

"It is damaging for our credibility internationally to be signalling the walking away from action that is consistent with avoiding dangerous climate impacts on Australia and around the world."

He said the coalition had restated its commitment to the target range many times both domestically and internationally, even if it had a different approach to Labor in cutting emissions.

Last month, Environment Minister Greg Hunt said the government had a "commitment to the current targets", after the Climate Change Authority called the unconditional five per cent target inadequate.

The Direct Action plan states it can "be changed to meet the obligations of any global agreements to which Australia may become a signatory, or amended to reflect the approaches taken by our major trading partners and big global emitters".

Mr Hunt said the government's commitment had always been to a five per cent reduction and to considering further action in 2015 in light of global efforts.

"This has always been our policy and this position remains unchanged," Mr Hunt told AAP in a statement.

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Major powers agree on Iran nuclear deal

US Secretary of State John Kerry says the major powers were unified on an Iran nuclear deal during weekend talks in Geneva but the Iranians were unable to accept it.

He also said critics of the plan should withhold their comments until a deal is reached.

Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Kerry said the United States and its negotiating partners were unified on Saturday when the proposal was presented to the Iranians.

"The French signed off on it, we signed off on it," Kerry said.

Earlier reports said that the talks came apart because France refused to accept the deal with Iran. But on Monday, Kerry said that the major powers reached an agreement after a marathon bargaining session but Iran wasn't able to accept the deal "at that particular moment."

"There was unity but Iran couldn't take it," he said.

Kerry also said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of a deal to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions was premature.

"The time to oppose it is when you see what it is, not to oppose the effort to find out what is possible," Kerry said.

He said the US has "been meeting constantly" with the Israelis to understand the progress Iran has made in its nuclear program. "We are confident that what we are doing can actually protect Israel more effectively and provide greater security," he said.

Kerry said there is no "end game" in motion and the Geneva talks were a first step in longer process of possible give and take.

Tehran has been eager to reach an agreement to ease international sanctions that have halted most oil exports and crippled the county's economy.

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Labor aims to limit debt ceiling to $400b

LABOR will only let the government increase the debt ceiling to $400 billion, $100 billion less than the sum Treasurer Joe Hockey wants.

Mr Hockey will on Wednesday introduce a bill to raise the national debt ceiling to $500 billion, from $300 billion.

But shadow treasurer Chris Bowen told Labor's Monday caucus meeting that while there was clearly a need to extend the debt ceiling, there was no justification in any publicly available information for putting it up as high as $500 billion.

Caucus agreed to his proposal to try to amend the legislation to only allow a $400 billion limit.

In announcing the planning increase, Mr Hockey said he's been advised the existing debt limit of $300 billion would be reached on December 12 and was projected to exceed $400 billion by 2015/16.

He wanted to put the limit beyond doubt so it didn't need to be revisited.

Caucus on Monday also decided to vote against the repeal of the mining tax and endorsed shadow cabinet's position to move amendments to the carbon tax repeal legislation that would see the tax scrapped but replaced with an emissions trading scheme.

However it didn't approve the exact wording of any amendments, since the legislation is yet to be seen.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told the caucus meeting the party would be stronger for being united.

"There is too much at stake for Australia to lose under this government," he said.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd did not attend the caucus meeting and it's unknown whether he will be in Canberra for the first sitting week of the new parliament.

New Labor MP Tim Watts, who won Nicola Roxon's former seat of Gellibrand, was chosen to be caucus secretary.

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Man charged with Perth park sex assault

A 31-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman who was walking through an East Perth park.

The 43-year-old woman was walking through Wellington Square park just after 7.30pm (WST) on Friday when she was approached by the man.

He allegedly pushed her to the ground before sexually assaulting her.

The woman sought help from patrolling police officers and the man was apprehended a short time later.

He has been charged with sexual penetration without consent and will next appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on December 2.

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Sydney's second casino one step closer

SYDNEY'S second casino is one step closer to opening its doors after the NSW government entered into a binding agreement for James Packer's $1.5 billion development.

The third stage of the approval process for Mr Packer's Crown Group project was signed off on Monday.

The restricted gaming development will include a luxury six-star hotel and VIP-only casino at Barangaroo.

Premier Barry O'Farrell said legislation would be introduced into parliament this week to enable the casino's approval.

"What we have agreed is to introduce legislation for a restricted gaming facility to be allowed to operate at Barangaroo south from November 2019," he said.

Mr Packer, Crown Resorts chairman, said in a statement he was going to do everything he could to make Crown Sydney the best hotel in the world.

"I am humbled that we have reached formal agreement with the New South Wales government," he said.

"We believe that Crown Sydney will help attract Asian high net worth travellers to Sydney, in particular from China, creating economic growth, extra taxes and over 1200 jobs for the people of New South Wales."

A independent assessment committee assessed earlier this year Crown's bid as well as plans Echo Entertainment, owner of Sydney's existing casino The Star, put forward.

The committee - chaired by former banking chief David Murray - found Crown's contribution to gross state product and tax was 26 per cent and 31 per cent larger than Echo's respectively.

Mr O'Farrell said on Monday minimum bet standards would apply to Crown's casino.

For baccarat, the minimum bet would be $30 but that equated to an hourly betting minimum of more than $2000, Mr O'Farrell said.

"This is as we said when approving stage two about the Asian-based high-range gaming market," he said.

"It's about high worth individuals. It's about that tourism which Australia catches a very small part of and NSW is determined to be a bigger part."

The government says at least $1 billion will be gained in the first 15 years from licence fees and gaming taxes.

Mr O'Farrell said statutory approvals were still needed from liquor and gaming authority and planning consent for construction, which would include public consultation.

But NSW Greens MP John Kaye said the approval process to date had been anything but independent and accountable.

"It is not surprising NSW is a step closer to another casino with all of the corruption risks, all of the gaming risks and all of the economic risks it brings with it," he told AAP.

Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe welcomed the announcement.

She said if the state was not attracting the high rollers there were plenty of other locations for them to go.

"It's restricting the casino to the so-called high rollers, so it's restricting the gambling to a very narrow group," she told AAP.

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Sea Shepherd seeks no-arrest guarantee

NEWLY landed Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson wants assurances he won't be handed over to Japanese authorities before considering a visit to Australia.

Mr Watson, who is in the US after 15 months on the run at sea, has been granted an Australian business visa.

But Sea Shepherd Australia chairman Bob Brown says Mr Watson isn't yet intending to use the visa.

"I don't think he's going to come here until he gets an assurance that he won't be captured by a Japanese arrest warrant," Dr Brown told reporters in Hobart.

Mr Watson is wanted by the Japanese over the militant anti-whaling campaign he led in Antarctic waters over the past decade.

He made landfall to give evidence in a civil action by Japanese whaling interests against Sea Shepherd's US arm in a Seattle court.

The action prevents him from direct involvement in the conservation group's actions in the Southern Ocean but a visit to Australia would provide a massive publicity boost as the group seeks to raise $4 million for what it is dubbing Operation Relentless.

Dr Brown said Mr Watson, who holds joint Canadian-US citizenship, felt safe in America.

"The US is very protective of its citizens and I couldn't see a US administration handing Paul Watson over to Japan," the former Greens leader said.

"There'd be a big furore in the United States if that were to happen."

Attorney-General George Brandis's office has been contacted for comment.

Dr Brown has also given evidence in Seattle, where whalers are seeking penalties for alleged breaches by Sea Shepherd US of a restraining order.

He said the case would not affect the three-ship protest planned for this summer because Sea Shepherd Australia has separated from the US arm.

"They're trying a back door way of trying to stop Sea Shepherd and they'll fail," Dr Brown said.

Japan insists its annual whaling program is legal under allowances for a scientific catch.

In a separate action, Australia is challenging the legality of the whale hunt at the International Court of Justice, with the court deliberating and a ruling expected between now and March.

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Man shot three times in Melbourne's west

A man shot in the chest in Melbourne's west is in hospital with life-threatening injuries. Source: AAP

A MAN who was shot three times at Deer Park in Melbourne's west is known to police.

Police were called to the suburb on Saturday night after the injured man approached a resident for help at around 11.45pm (AEDT).

The 42-year-old Richmond man was taken to The Alfred Hospital with life-threatening chest injuries, police said.

Detective Inspector Adrian Dalzotto from the armed crime taskforce says the injured man is known to police and they hope to interview him once he has had surgery.

Det Insp Dalzotto said police are unsure where the shooting occurred.

"We can't say with certainty it actually happened in this street," he told reporters.

Det Insp Dalzotto says police have no suspects yet and want anyone with information to contact them.

Typhoon death toll could be 10,000

THE death toll from the typhoon that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said on Sunday.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

The man's car was found parked in the street and has been impounded for forensic examination.

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Aussie cleared by Dubai court on fraud

AN Australian businessman's five-year legal nightmare in the Middle East appears over, with a Dubai court upholding his acquittal.

Marcus Lee, 44, was cleared on fraud-related charges in Dubai in May but the Dubai Public Prosecutor appealed his acquittal, dashing his and his wife Julie's hopes of returning home soon after.

But on Sunday, after more than 50 court hearings over almost five years, the Dubai Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

After the verdict, Mr Lee and Mrs Lee said the outcome was all they could ever have hoped for.

"This is the correct result and we thank the Dubai Appeal Court judges for their verdict," they said in a statement.

"We simply hope that we will now be allowed to return to our families in Australia and resume our lives after almost five years of constant anxiety, stress and hardship.

Typhoon death toll could be 10,000

THE death toll from the typhoon that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said on Sunday.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

"Julie and I desperately want to be able to see our families again."

The Lees feared that the lodging of the appeal meant they were likely to be trapped in the UAE for another year.

Mr Lee said he hopes Australian officials will now lobby on his behalf to ensure no further appeals are lodged.

Mr Lee and fellow Australian businessman Matthew Joyce were arrested in January 2009 over fraud allegations brought by Gold Coast property developer Sunland, after a land deal collapsed during the global financial crisis.

They spent nine months in prison, followed by more than three-and-a-half years under effective house arrest.

The court in May this year sentenced Mr Joyce to ten years in prison and a $25 million fine. It also convicted Melbourne businessman Angus Reed in absentia.

They were found guilty of duping Sunland into giving them $12 million, but both maintain their innocence.

But the court cleared Mr Lee of wrongdoing, and even Sunland itself believed Mr Lee did nothing wrong.

Mr Lee's Brisbane-based lawyer, John Sneddon, said any further appeals would be devastating and urged Dubai authorities to allow the Lees to come home.

"They are sick, they are tired and they have lost everything they ever owned," he said.

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Four die in SA in weekend crashes

A SWISS national and a pedestrian are among four people killed in crashes on South Australia's roads this weekend.

A Victorian woman has been charged over one of the crashes which killed a Swiss woman and injured two others on Saturday.

A sedan and four-wheel drive crashed head-on at Langhorne Creek, south of Adelaide just after 4pm (CDT).

The sedan driver, a 56-year-old woman from Switzerland, died at the scene.

Another passenger and the driver of the other vehicle were airlifted to the Flinders Medical Centre with serious injuries.

Both are in a stable condition.

Police arrested and charged a 61-year-old woman from Victoria with aggravated careless driving.

Meanwhile, a young man died when a car veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a taxi and then a tree at Clearview, north of Adelaide, just before 6am (CDT) on Sunday.

Typhoon death toll could be 10,000

THE death toll from the typhoon that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said on Sunday.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

Police said a passenger of the car, believed to be a 23-year-old male, was killed while six others from both cars were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Another young man was killed in a separate hit-and-run collision south of Adelaide.

Police say the 21-year-old was struck by a car as he walked along Hermitage Drive, Angle Vale, early Sunday morning.

Police have arrested an 18-year-old man from Angle Vale after he presented himself to police following reports of a fatal hit-and-run.

He is being interviewed.

In a separate collision, one person was killed and five others hospitalised after a head-on crash between two cars at Northfield, in Adelaide's northern suburbs.

The cause of the crash is yet to be determined.

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No Iran nuclear deal in Geneva

Diplomats in Geneva say world powers have failed to agree on an initial nuclear deal with Iran. Source: AAP

IRAN and world powers have failed to clinch a long-sought deal on Tehran's nuclear program despite marathon talks in Geneva but kept hopes alive by agreeing to meet here again on November 20.

In Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani pleaded for parliament's backing in the negotiations while insisting that Iran would not abandon its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment.

Diplomats said significant progress had been made in three days of intense negotiations aimed at reaching agreement in the decade-long standoff.

Hopes had soared for an impending deal after top world diplomats rushed to Geneva to join the talks, but faded after cracks began to show among world powers when France raised concerns.

Emerging in the early hours of Sunday from a last-ditch negotiating session, EU diplomatic chief Catherine Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the two sides had not been able to come together on a deal.

Typhoon death toll could be 10,000

THE death toll from the typhoon that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said on Sunday.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

"A lot of concrete progress has been achieved but some issues remain," Ashton said.

"Our objective is to reach a conclusion and that's what we'll come back to try to do."

Zarif said he was not discouraged by the failure of the talks, saying the meetings had taken place in a positive atmosphere and that he hoped to reach an agreement at the next talks.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was the first to reveal that the deal had failed, pre-empting the official announcement after the talks broke up.

Fabius had earlier raised concerns that the proposal did not go far enough to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

He insisted that France wanted an agreement, despite claims from some officials that Paris had stymied efforts to reach a deal.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who had cut short a Middle East tour to join the talks, said "significant progress" had been made.

"There's no question in my mind that we are closer now as we leave Geneva," he said, adding that Washington remained intent on ensuring that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

"We came to Geneva determined to make certain that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. That remains our goal," Kerry said.

The talks involved the P5+1 group, which includes the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany.

The draft deal said to be on the table could have seen Iran freeze parts of its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of some of the sanctions that have battered its economy.

The world powers in the talks suspect Iran's program is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, despite Tehran's repeated denials.

Rouhani - whose election is widely credited with kick-starting the nuclear talks - earlier urged world powers to seize what he called "an exceptional opportunity" for a deal.

Reports said the proposed deal could have seen Iran stop enriching uranium to 20 per cent, which is just a few technical steps from weapons-grade, reduce existing stockpiles and agree not to activate its plutonium reactor at Arak.

Global powers would have in exchange taken limited and "reversible" measures to ease sanctions, such as unfreezing some Iranian funds in foreign accounts.

Iran is anxious for relief from crippling US and European Union economic sanctions that have cut oil revenues by more than half, caused the value of its currency to plunge and pushed inflation above 40 per cent.

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Ex-Sydney priest among Philippines dead

An Australian man, believed to be a former priest, has been killed by a typhoon in the Philippines. Source: AAP

A FORMER Sydney priest who secretly married a woman he met in the Philippines is among the hundreds killed in the typhoon that has devastated the archipelago nation.

Kevin Lee, a whistleblower on child sex abuse in the Catholic church, was defrocked last year after he went public about his 2011 marriage and admitted to having had girlfriends during his 20 years as a priest.

Mr Lee founded the Padre Pio parish in Glenmore Park, in western Sydney, but moved to the Philippines after leaving the ministry.

It's been reported he went swimming as part of a religious ritual, as Super Typhoon Haiyan lashed the Philippines with winds of around 315km/h.

On Sunday the Bishop of Parramatta, Anthony Fisher, paid tribute to the late father and husband.

"I extend my deepest sympathy to his widow Josefina and her children during this time of personal tragedy for them and devastation for the people of the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan," he said.

Typhoon death toll could be 10,000

THE death toll from the typhoon that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban could reach 10,000 people, officials said on Sunday.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

He also expressed his condolences to Mr Lee's parents and family in Australia and paid tribute to the work Mr Lee did for his parish.

"Last year, Kevin left his ministry as a Catholic priest in very public circumstances and was recently 'laicised' at his request," Bishop Fisher said.

"He had made a new life with Josefina and they recently celebrated the birth of a daughter.

"Difficult as was the mode of his departure, we honour the work Kevin did as the founding parish priest of Padre Pio Parish, Glenmore Park, and his ministry as a chaplain with NSW Police."

Ray King, who as a former Fairfield police commander was once a colleague of Mr Lee's and, more recently, beat him to a Liberal party pre-selection for a tilt at federal MP Chris Bowen's seat of McMahon, has described his death as a shock.

But he said it was "fairly reckless" for Mr Lee to go swimming during the storm, ABC Radio reports.

"Kevin had a choice when he went into the surf," he told the broadcaster.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed the death of a 50-year-old NSW man in the typhoon but declined to name him.

"Consular officials are providing assistance to his family," a DFAT spokesperson said.

Officials fear the death toll in the Philippines could reach 10,000 people after Haiyan tore into the eastern islands of Leyte and Samar on Friday.

The Abbott government has pledged nearly $400,000 worth of emergency aid to devastated communities and says it stands ready to do more.

DFAT says Australians concerned for the welfare of family and friends in the region should first attempt to contact them directly.

If unsuccessful, they should call DFAT's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 or +612 6261 3305.

Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek extended "deepest sympathies" to the family and friends of the late Mr Lee.

"Our thoughts are also with other nations, including Vietnam and Laos, who authorities report remain in the path of the devastating typhoon," she said on Sunday.

"The opposition stands ready to assist the Abbott government, in any way we can, to facilitate Australia's contribution to relief efforts."

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