Pakistan releases senior Taliban detainee

PAKISTAN has released its most senior Afghan Taliban detainee, Abdul Ghani Baradar, a senior official of the interior ministry told AFP.

"Yes Baradar has been released," Omar Hamid, a spokesman for interior ministry told AFP, without elaborating.

The decision to release him on Saturday came after Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Islamabad, during an official visit in August, to help set up talks with rebels allegedly based in Pakistan.

The ministry has been vague as to whether Baradar would be handed over to Afghan authorities or sent to another country to revive stalled negotiations.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said this week in an interview that Baradar might be sent to either Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

There are reports that talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban might take place in one of the two countries.

Baradar is the most senior of 34 Afghan Taliban detainees Islamabad had released so far.

He was the group's second-in-command until his arrest in 2010 from the southern city of Karachi in a joint raid by Pakistani and US intelligence agencies.

Islamabad said its decision to set free Afghan Taliban officials was aimed at boosting international efforts to end the 12-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.

But there are doubts whether the move can achieve the desired goal.

A member of Afghan High Peace Council, a body Karzai set up to spearhead dialogue with the militant group, last week said Pakistan's release of Taliban leaders has so far had no impact.

Diplomatic and intelligence sources said Baradar may not have the same influence within the militia as before the arrest.

"This is how it happens in insurgencies. Once you are arrested, your loyalty is in doubt," said a Pakistani diplomat.

"This may be true about Baradar."

A spokesman for the Taliban had already announced those who were in custody either in Afghanistan or Pakistan would not have any role in negotiations.

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Firies save homes from large bushfires

LATEST:FIREFIGHTERS have brought a huge bushfire under control after residents had been advised to leave homes for their own safety.

At 5.34pm, the Department of Community and Safety advised the Watch and Act alert for Sunshine Acrews and Nikenbah near Hervey Bay had been cancelled.

There is no longer any threat to properties after the bushfire around Vanderwolf Road and Barrenjoey Road, Nikenbah and Pindari Crescent and Barrenjoey Road, Sunshine Acres was brought under control.

Authorities said fire crews will remain on scene to strengthen containment lines and will continue to patrol the blaze tomorrow.

Residents in the area are expected to be affected by a large smoke haze tonight, and are advised to close windows and doors and keep medication close by if suffering from a respiratory condition.

Motorists traveling in the area are advised to drive to conditions.

5.18PM: FIREFIGHTERS are still battling a blaze that has burned an area the size of almost 180 football fields near Hervey Bay.

The fire broke out at Nikenbah just before 3pm and was expected to affect parts of Sunshine Acres.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said about 200ha of land had been burned and residents were urged to enact their bushfire plan.

Those who decide to stay and defend their property should take precautionary measures including:

• Put on protective clothing
• Drink lots of water
• Move car/s to a safe location
• Close windows and doors and shut blinds
• Bring pets inside and restrain them (leash, cage or secure room) and provide water
• Wet down fine fuels close to buildings
• Remove garden furniture, doormats and other items
• Seal all gaps under doors and screens
• Fill containers with water - eg bath, sinks, buckets and wheelie bins
• Have ladders ready for roof space access (inside) and against roof (outside)
• Have generator or petrol pump ready
• Check and patrol outside for embers and extinguish any spot fires and seek shelter as the fire front arrives.

Residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000) if their property comes under threat.

For regular updates, switch on your local radio station or visit the Rural Fire Service Queensland website at ruralfire.qld.gov.au or at fire.qld.gov.au.

EARLIER: A LARGE, fast moving bushfire is burning near Hervey Bay with residents advised to leave their homes for their own safety.

The Rural Fire Service has told residents near Old Rifle Range Rd at Nikenbah to enact their bushfire plan and to leave now if their plan is to do so or if they don't have a plan.

They have been told that leaving is the safest option.

A Department of Community safety warning said only people who had well prepared and defended homes should stay with fire fighters making no guarantees every home can be protected.

Currently, 15 fire crews are working to contain the blaze which is burning near Booral Road and Pindari Crescent at Sunshine Acres.

"Residents should not expect a firefighter at their door," the warning read.

They have warned that property may be consumed by the fire at Nickenbah with the chance power, water and mobile phone supply may be lost in the area over the coming hours while the fire rages.

The fire broke out about 2.45pm at Vanderwolf Rd at Nikenbah and is travelling quickly in a north west direction.

It is expected to effect the areas of Old Rifle Range Rd and Barrenjoey Rd at Nikenbah.

Fire fighters are having difficulty controlling the fire and are warning that spot fires may occur ahead of the fire front and embers are being thrown from the fire.

The Department of Community Safety is warning residents it will be very hot and windy as the fire approaches and it could make breathing, hearing and seeing difficult.

Police are asking motorists to stay away from Booral Road at Sunshine Acres due to the fire.

Motorists are also being urged to not travel to the area.

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UK island swimmer going strong

AN endurance swimmer has made good progress through the night in her attempt to become the first person in nearly 30 years to swim solo, non-stop, around the Isle of Wight.

Anna Wardley is undertaking the challenge as part of her bid to complete circumnavigations of five islands.

The 37-year-old, from Gosport in Hampshire, set off yesterday at 10.31am from Ryde Sands and is expected to complete the 56.4-mile swim in about 30 hours.

Only three people have completed the feat, with the last successful attempt in 1984.

She has passed the famous Needles landmark and is making her way round to the east side of the island this morning.

Heather Ewing, spokeswoman for the challenge, said: "She's looking good this morning, although her arms are looking a bit tired and it has got to be hurting by now. That said, she's very cheerful and demanding a bacon sandwich if any are made for the support team."

Wardley said before setting off: "It's been nearly 30 years since this challenge was last successfully completed, so I'm under no illusions how tough it will be.

"There will be a time when I'll be swimming against the tide through the night, almost on the spot for hours. I'll also see the sun set and rise, and we'll be racing against the clock to reach critical points to beat the tide.

"However just knowing people are thinking of me and willing me on will definitely help when the going gets really tough, and it's a huge boost knowing that I'm raising money for such fantastic charities."

Wardley is attempting the swim under the rules of the British Long Distance Swimming Association wearing just a standard swimming costume, goggles and a swimming cap.

It is the culmination of her two-year Five Island Swim Challenge raising funds for the Samaritans, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Sail Africa, with her target set at STG50,000 ($A85,470).

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Shaw ill, not angry: Vic premier

Victoria's premier says a fever kept independent MP Geoff Shaw away from parliament on Thursday. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews says he won't apologise for behaviour which had him suspended from parliament for three days and has promised to continue to stand his ground in the chamber.

Mr Andrews says he will use his days away from parliament to talk to the people of Frankston - the electorate of controversial independent MP Geoff Shaw who is facing 24 charges.

And he says Labor is ready for a by-election in the seat should Mr Shaw be convicted and thrown out of parliament.

"I do not apologise for doing my job and I do not resile for standing my ground," he told reporters.

"I was asking serious questions about arrangements, deals, the obvious fact that Geoff Shaw props up Denis Napthine and his government."

Mr Andrews said he would head to Frankston during his suspension because the people there haven't been getting the leadership and hard work they are entitled to.

Mr Shaw was absent during the chaotic question time on Thursday that culminated in Mr Andrews' suspension.

Mr Andrews had tried to ask questions about Mr Shaw, but was prevented from doing so.

He accused the speaker of biased rulings and was ordered out of the parliament.

But Mr Andrews refused to budge and stood his ground even when the sergeant-at-arms was called in to remove him.

Mr Shaw's absence came just hours after Premier Denis Napthine ruled out a return to the Liberal Party.

Dr Napthine said on Friday that Mr Shaw had a fever.

"He's not angry with me," Dr Napthine said of Mr Shaw, who is facing charges of misconduct and fraud-related offences for misusing his taxpayer-funded car.

"He was ill yesterday. He was quite ill."

Dr Napthine said Mr Andrews lost control in parliament on Thursday and behaved like a toddler having a tantrum.

"What we saw from Daniel Andrews is a person who lost control," Dr Napthine said.

"He threw a two-year-old temper tantrum.

"I think it was appalling behaviour."

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Bangladeshi arrested over campus assault

A FOREIGN student allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the second attack of its kind this year at a university in Sydney's north.

A 21-year-old Bangladeshi man has been charged over the alleged assault at student accommodation at Macquarie University.

The girl told police she woke in a bedroom on the campus in North Ryde and found a man sexually assaulting her in the morning of August 31.

Her alleged attacker was arrested on Thursday and charged a day later with the indecent and sexual assault of the girl.

Police confirmed the Bangladeshi man is in Australia on a student visa.

He's been granted conditional bail to appear Ryde Local Court on October 16.

It is the second sexual assault at Macquarie University this year.

In February, a 20-year-old male Sri Lankan asylum seeker was charged with indecently assaulting a 20-year-old student at the same student accommodation.

The man was an asylum seeker on a bridging visa but was not living in student housing at Macquarie University at the time of the attack.

The accommodation is owned and run by Campus Living Villages (CLV), which is also responsible for security on site.

The accommodation provider said they are providing assistance to police as they investigate the latest case.

"CLV is focused on providing continued support to village residents to ensure the continued safety, security and wellbeing of all residents," a CLV spokeswoman told AAP in a statement.

"As the matter is subject to an ongoing police investigation, CLV is unable to make any further comment."

Another incident also took place this year at the Parramatta campus of Western Sydney University.

In June, a female student was indecently assaulted by a man who snuck into her room.

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Bail denied in NT prison drugs case

BAIL has been denied for a man who allegedly traded drugs with a Darwin prison guard and used her to pass messages to other prisoners, including a suspected Rebels bikie gang leader.

Phillip Noel Kaye, 35, is allegedly part of a six-person drug and corruption ring that operated out of Darwin Correctional Centre and included three prison guards, a police officer and a firefighter.

It's alleged he used prison guard Sarah Rudd to pass messages to other inmates, including organising drug deals, and gave her methamphetamines and MDMA.

At Darwin Magistrates Court on Friday, Magistrate Greg Cavanagh denied him bail, saying there was a real likelihood that he would reoffend if released.

"Given the multitude of offending and his previous record, bail must be refused," Mr Cavanagh said.

Kaye is facing more than a dozen charges, including possession of a trafficable quantity of drugs, unlawfully obtaining confidential information, attempting to pervert the course of justice and official corruption.

"Cheer up," he told an unidentified tearful female supporter as he was led from the courtroom.

His defence argued that bail should be granted because his girlfriend has recently given birth to a seven-week premature baby.

They also said a key witness had made allegations against him last year to police before saying she had lied due to mental illness.

Kaye will reappear in court at a later date.

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Perth Zoo Galapagos tortoise turns 47

Perth Zoo's Galapagos tortoise Cerro celebrated his 47th birthday munching on his favourite foods. Source: AAP

ONE of Perth Zoo's two Galapagos tortoises has turned 47 and is being treated to his favourite foods including hibiscus flowers.

Cerro and his brother Sierra were born at San Diego Zoo and arrived in Australia in 1988.

They lived for many years with the late John Roberts, founder of the Multiplex construction empire, at his Egerton Stud property in the Swan Valley.

Mr Roberts donated the pair to Perth Zoo in 2005 because he believed the public should see them.

Cerro, who weighs 204kg and is considered a youngster given the oldest Galapagos tortoise lived to 175, is particularly fond of food.

But Sierra likes nothing more than interacting with people and being given a scratch - so much so, he follows the keepers around.

"Like humans they have very strong personalities," Perth Zoo spokeswoman Debbie Read said.

While Galapagos tortoises can survive more than a year without food or water, Ms Read said "there's no chance of it with Cerro because he loves his food!"

He's particularly fond of brightly coloured nosh, especially apples, bananas and hibiscus flowers - and is able to move quite fast to get to them.

"We're going to give him special treats today and make a fuss about him," Ms Read said.

With the warmer weather, Cerro and Sierra are starting to venture out more from their heated huts, being reptiles and averse to the cold, so now is the time to see them, Ms Read said.

"They are under threat in the wild so it's great to have them here so people can see them and learn about them," she said.

Less than 20,000 remain in the wild on the Galapagos Archipelago.

There are 14 recognised species of Galapagos tortoise, three of which are now extinct.

Lonesome George, a century-old Pinta Island subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoise believed to be the last of his kind, died last year of causes unknown.

About 200,000 Galapagos tortoises were killed when they were hunted to feed sailors and pirates on long journeys.

These days, hatchlings are preyed on by introduced species such as pigs, cats and dogs, and they also have to compete with cattle and feral goats for food.

So while there's a lot of conservation effort and habitat restoration going on around the world, more needs to be done.

Ms Read said a curious sight was the "height fight" male Galapagos tortoises engage in when competing for females.

"They stand tall and stretch their necks up as far as possible, and can reach 1.5 metres," she said.

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Vic premier denies deal with charged MP

VICTORIAN Premier Denis Napthine is denying there is a deal to secure Geoff Shaw's vote, with parliament descending into chaos when the controversial MP failed to attend question time.

The government says Mr Shaw, charged this week with fraud-related offences, was apparently unable to attend because of sickness - which the opposition says is news to them.

In Shaw's absence, Speaker Ken Smith was forced to vote with the government to break the deadlock on a motion to suspend Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews for three days.

Mr Andrews had accused the speaker of bias after he prevented the opposition leader from asking pointed questions about Shaw, the former Liberal-turned-independent.

The drama came as Premier Denis Napthine denied a deal had been done to secure Shaw's vote, but said he would accept support from "all sides of politics".

"There has been no deal with Geoff Shaw," Dr Napthine said on Thursday.

"There has been no discussions on that matter. It's not on the agenda."

Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino said the drama showed the circus of a government relying on Shaw's support.

"It is a government propped up by the member for Frankston, who is facing 24 serious criminal charges and today in parliament Victorians saw how unstable and chaotic that arrangement is," he told reporters.

"Geoff Shaw was not on the floor of the chamber and Denis Napthine fails to achieve a majority.

"If you can't govern the parliament, if you do not have a majority on the floor of the parliament, how can you govern Victoria?"

Mr Merlino seemed surprised when told Shaw was apparently sick.

"Is that what they are saying it is? I haven't heard that," he said.

Mr Shaw quit the parliamentary Liberal party in March on the same day Ted Baillieu resigned as premier.

The independent, who reportedly remains a card-carrying member of the Victorian Liberal party, was this week charged after misusing his taxpayer-funded car.

Dr Napthine also said there was no chance of seeing Shaw welcomed back to parliament as a Liberal member or endorsed as a Liberal candidate in any electorate.

"The chance of him coming back into the parliamentary Liberal party are negligible, low, nil, zero," Dr Napthine said on Thursday.

If Shaw is convicted of the offences, he will be ineligible to serve as an MP, which potentially triggers a by-election in his slimly-held seat.

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WA premier braces for more school strikes

MORE than 20,000 people have come together to support an unprecedented teacher's strike across Western Australia.

And beleaguered Premier Colin Barnett has been warned it could be just the beginning of a potentially lengthy fight with unions over school funding.

Teachers, principals, education assistants, school support staff, parents and children flocked to a mass rally to protest job losses and funding reforms that unions claim will deprive schools of millions of dollars.

More than 60 schools across the state closed for the morning, with 23 rallies across WA adding their voices to the mass protest in Perth, despite teachers being threatened with having their pay docked for attending.

A defiant government continued to insist the strike was disruptive, unnecessary and unjustified - but still agreed to meet union leaders next week to listen to grievances.

"This campaign will keep running. It will keep growing. This government has to learn that it can't build stadiums at the expense of our children's education," Carolyn Smith from United Voice said.

"Colin Barnett and (education minister) Peter Collier continue to hide from the truth, but the community is determined - we're not going away."

Opposition leader Mark McGowan told the rally it was obvious the premier had a major fight on his hands to convince the public his plans to reform school funding was correct.

"I am looking at the thousands and thousands of people here today and I am thinking 'Mr Barnett, you picked the wrong people,'" Mr McGowan said.

"These are not reforms, these are cuts."

The day after WA lost its AAA credit rating from agency Standard and Poor's, Mr Barnett said there was no connection between the state's dwindling economic power and the decision to reshape education funding.

He lambasted Mr McGowan for talking down the state's schools.

"How can the Leader of the Opposition go out and talk about children suffering. What do you think this is, Bangladesh?," Premier Barnett said in parliament.

More than 5000 people attended similar stop work meetings in regional areas, including 2000 in Bunbury, 500 in Albany, 520 in Pinjarra and 200 in Port Hedland.

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Shorten hits out at Abbott govt's start

Labor MP Bill Shorten has criticised the Abbott government for sacking public service chiefs. Source: AAP

SACKING public service chiefs, not promoting women - federal Labor leadership aspirant Bill Shorten says he's seen better starts to a new government.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott's first announcement after being sworn in at Government House on Wednesday was the sacking of three department secretaries - Andrew Metcalfe at Agriculture, Blair Comley at Resources and Energy and Don Russell at Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

The sackings followed Mr Abbott's controversial decision to include just one woman - Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop - in his 19 member cabinet.

"Sacking people, not promoting women, it's not the best start I've ever seen," Mr Shorten says.

At a press conference at not-for-profit women's organisation Fitted for Work, Mr Shorten spent most of his time targeting Mr Abbott's gender imbalanced ministry.

He hit out at coalition sources who accused independent MP for Indi Cathy McGowan of being partly responsible for the lack of women in the cabinet because she toppled Sophie Mirabella in the seat of Indi.

"I know there's very talented Liberal women in that parliamentary party," Mr Shorten said.

"The Abbott government is acting a little bit like (men-only private social club) the Melbourne Club with its restriction/entry requirements."

Mr Shorten had no shortage of jibes for Mr Abbott.

But he refused to bite when asked about claims made by his rival for the job as Labor leader, Anthony Albanese, that he could oust the newly-elected Coalition government in one term.

Albanese made the statement at a boisterous campaign launch on Tuesday where he kickstarted his bid to win over Labor party members before the vote for Labor leader by rank-and-file members and caucus.

"I'm not going to be negative at all about Anthony Albanese, he's got a lot of strengths," Mr Shorten said, adding he too could win in one term.

"I believe I can win this election in one if given the privilege of representing Labor, because we are a team."

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NSW minister quizzed on caseworker numbers

FAMILY and Community Services Minister Pru Goward has again been accused of misleading parliament and spinning "a web of deceit" about caseworker numbers.

The NSW opposition repeated calls for her resignation after releasing a series of internal emails showing a drop in staff numbers at an office in Wollongong.

Following the death of two-year-old Zoran Ivanovski in August, Ms Goward told parliament not a single Wollongong worker had been cut.

Zoran was repeatedly reported to the department in the weeks before his death but the union claims staff cuts meant they didn't have the resources to follow it up.

During question time on Wednesday, the opposition again accused the minister of misleading parliament.

The emails show that while the Wollongong office had 43.9 fulltime equivalent staff in June 2011, this had decreased to 32.7 by December last year.

They also indicate staff were to be cut to 29 fulltime from January of this year.

"I think it is absolutely abhorrent that today Labor has politicised the tragic death of a child," Ms Goward fired back.

She said the office was over-staffed in the months leading up to Zoran's death.

"We funded at that time 37.7 fulltime equivalent staff at the Wollongong office," she said, adding that it was for the department to decide where positions should be filled.

Earlier on Wednesday, opposition leader John Robertson accused her of playing with the numbers.

"This minister can try and dress it up, she can mince her words.

"The fact is there has been a reduction from 44 to 33 staff in an 18-month period," he told reporters.

Ms Goward has been under siege since August budget estimates, when she denied in parliament any knowledge of a report that contradicted her claims the state has more than 2000 case workers.

The Ernst & Young report found only 1797 positions had been filled.

She has also been accused of failing to correct the parliamentary record in March after her department reportedly informed of the correct caseworker numbers.

Earlier this week, the opposition said June 11 meeting minutes showed Ms Goward was advised that millions of dollars would be required if the promised 2068 caseworkers posts were to be delivered.

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Job-seeker attacks China's 2nd-richest man

CHINESE police have detained a labourer who approached China's second-richest man to ask for a job, and then attacked and injured the company chairman when he denied the request, state media report.

Zong Qinghou, chairman of food and beverage giant Hangzhou Wahaha Group, is recovering from injuries to his left hand after Friday's attack in the eastern city of Hangzhou, the official Xinhua News Agency said on Wednesday.

Citing Hangzhou police, Xinhua identified the suspect as a 49-year-old migrant worker surnamed Yang and from the neighbouring province of Jiangsu. It said Yang borrowed 30,000 yuan (about $A5372) earlier this year and travelled to Hangzhou in search of work.

Yang sought out Zong, 67, near his home after watching a television program about the businessman's assistance to migrant workers and asked the man for a job with his company, Xinhua said.

It said Yang attacked Zong after his job request was turned down.

Zong had been China's richest man, but fell to the second place this year with total wealth of nearly $US19 billion. He founded Wahaha and built it into China's largest beverage manufacturer.

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Regis doubles full year profit

REGIS Resources has more than doubled its full year profit due to a boost in gold sales and higher prices.

The gold miner made a net profit of $145.7 million in the year to June 30, up from $68.2 million in the previous year.

Gold sales more than doubled to 253 ounces, from 107 ounces during the same period in the previous year.

That helped to boost gold sales revenue to $416.1 million.

The average sale price increased to $1,599 per ounce, up from $1,574 per ounce.

However, the cash cost of production rose 10 per cent in the full year, due to cost increases at the company's Moolart Well operation in Western Australia.

Regis said the development of its Rosemont Gold project, also in WA, would be completed in the December quarter.

"Gold production will commence in the December 2013 quarter and is expected to contribute 48,000 to 53,000 ounces of production for the 2014 financial year as the operation is ramped up," the company said.

Meanwhile, Regis forecasts gold production at WA's Garden Well for 2014 to be between 190,000 to 210,000 ounces and Moolart Well is expected to produce between 95,000 and 105,000 ounces during the same period.

Regis declared a maiden dividend of 15 cents per share, fully franked.

Regis shares dropped 30 cents, or 7.5 per cent, to $3.70.

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Further rate cut possible, but not yet

The RBA has signalled that another rate cut is possible, but says it is not going to happen soon. Source: AAP

THE Reserve Bank is inclined to make another interest rate cut, but it doesn't look like it will happen soon.

"Members agreed that the Bank should neither close off the possibility of reducing rates further nor signal an imminent intention to reduce them," the RBA said in the minutes of its September 3 board meeting.

The central bank said June quarter economic growth was a little below trend, but housing market conditions were continuing to improve in more recent months in response to low lending rates.

The RBA last reduced the cash rate in August, by quarter of a percentage point, to a new record low of 2.5 per cent.

It said the historically low lending rates and the lower Australian dollar are continuing to provide a substantial degree of stimulus to the economy.

The RBA said this would help the Australian economy negotiate its transition away from being driven by investment in resources.

JP Morgan economist Ben Jarman said the RBA did not want to declare an end to its cycle of reducing the cash rate, but stopped short of saying there was scope to cut further.

"The minutes struggled to get very excited about the progress achieved so far," he said.

"Officials are not totally defeatist, and still are putting emphasis on monetary policy's long and variable lags."

The decision to cut the cash rate again will be dependent on future economic data and how far the Australian dollar will fall, Commonwealth Bank economist Diana Mousina said.

But she added that 2.5 per cent will be the low point for the cash rate in this easing cycle.

"On balance, the economy is progressing at a pace in line with the RBA's expectations. So a rate cut is not imminent," Ms Mousina said.

"We also suspect that policy makers would prefer to see any further easing in monetary conditions to come via a lower Aussie dollar."

The release of September quarter inflation figures on October 23 - two weeks before the RBA's Melbourne Cup day board meeting - is one of the key pieces of economic data to be released in the coming months.

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Barnett bites back at striking teachers

TEACHERS in Western Australia have been accused by Premier Colin Barnett of disrupting hundreds of thousands of children and families with "a strike for the sake of having a strike".

In an unprecedented alliance, three unions have called on 10,000 angry teachers, education assistants, library staff, lab technicians, cleaners and gardeners to attend a two-hour stop work meeting on Thursday.

They are protesting the loss of 500 education jobs, a freeze on teacher numbers and reduced funding for special programs to improve literacy, numeracy, attendance and behaviour.

But in a combative retort, Mr Barnett said the strike was unnecessary and unjustified.

"This is a strike for the sake of having a strike - what are they striking over? They are the best-paid teachers in Australia," Mr Barnett told parliament.

"It will cause distress to parents, and so many parents will be angry on Thursday if they go on strike. They will be fearful for the care of their children, that is the reality."

The State School Teachers Union, United Voice and the Community and Public Sector Union have directed members to attend stop-work meetings at Gloucester Park and in country areas.

Anger has been rising since the post-budget revelation that as many as 500 education assistants and support staff will lose their jobs as a result of a funding reallocation for WA schools.

The state government insists the cuts are not happening, pointing to a $300 million increase in funding for education this year, saying the budget is higher now than before the Liberals came into power.

Sharyn O'Neill, director general of WA's Department of Education, said it was not yet clear how many schools may shut on Thursday, but she was anticipating it would be only a handful.

"It is too early to speculate on the numbers of staff involved. It is possible that I may have to endorse the closure of some schools if they cannot provide adequate supervision for students," Ms O'Neill said.

State School Teachers' Union president Anne Gisborne said she wanted the premier to acknowledge the issues his reform would present to hundreds of schools.

"We have got a belligerent premier and a belligerent minister who are holding the line that there will be no cuts and everything will be hunky dory," Ms Gisborne said.

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Australia has 160,000 toxic sites: expert

THERE are close to 160,000 toxic sites in Australia, says an environmental health expert whose main concerns include mines and old railways.

There's not much people can do about toxic dust or poison leaching into groundwater, says Professor Ravi Naidu.

However, at the very least they should keep away from old railway lines, which are poisoned with herbicides and pesticides that include arsenic.

Prof Naidu's organisation, CRC CARE, is hosting 150 delegates from 40 countries at CleanUp 2013, a Melbourne conference aimed at finding solutions for toxic sites around the world.

Topics discussed at the conference include the world's ever-growing garbage pile of electronic waste and how it is poisoning children.

Delegates are also discussing global contamination and its impact on health, economies and ecosystems.

Poisons like lead and arsenic are big problems in Australia because of past practices in the mining industry, says Prof Naidu.

Electronic waste is also a problem because it used to be disposed in landfill sites before appropriate legislation was passed.

"We have many old landfill sites that have received electronic waste but do not have appropriate barriers.

"As a consequence we have contaminants leaching from the electronic waste and there is evidence of this in ground water."

For children the biggest concern is toxic substances in the air.

These could be from domestic carpets, for example. But children living close to mining areas are at particular risk of being exposed to lead in dust particles.

"The main message for Australians is to be aware of the danger of toxic substances in the air and to be aware that contaminants are present where ever there are old railway tracks.

"Keep your children away from them. They are not always fenced off."

He says the government and industry needs to do more.

"There should be improved mine processing techniques that do not generate as much dust."

Most toxic sites in Australia are in urban environments and people living nearby are often not aware.

"We should be concerned that with so many potentially contaminated sites the pace with we are rehabilitating them is very slow," says Prof Naidu.

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Labor slams Abbott for one-woman cabinet

IT'S a sad day for the nation when the cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia, says acting Labor leader Chris Bowen.

Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott unveiled his ministerial line up on Monday, revealing the only woman in the cabinet is Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop.

The outgoing Labor government had six, Mr Bowen said.

"The cabinet of Afghanistan now has more women (three) in it," Mr Bowen said.

"It is a disappointing day when Australia goes so backwards, so backwards."

But equally worrying were the large sectors of the community that will be ignored by Mr Abbott's decision not to have a minister for disability care, seniors/ageing, tourism, resources, energy and the financial services sector, Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen also criticised the coalition for an emerging pattern of promising one thing before the election and then doing another thing after.

He highlighted reports Mr Abbott's government would not release their mid-year economic forecast until the January holidays.

He said it was a cynical breach of the promise Mr Abbott gave at his campaign launch last month to show the state of the books within 100 days of winning office.

"There will not be the normal scrutiny that you get in this building in other months of the year," Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen also slammed Mr Abbott for not visiting Indonesia within a week of winning the election to discuss key issues between the neighbouring countries.

"Now we're told (Foreign Affairs) Minister Bishop will catch up with (Indonesian Foreign) Minister Marty Natalegawa in New York for coffee," he said.

Australian Greens Senator Richard Di Natale said Mr Abbott's frontbench ignored the major challenges of the 21st century.

"Tony Abbott has made an art out of ignoring the science of climate change so it's no surprise that he has failed to include science or research," Senator Di Natale said.

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One-punch killer jailed after third trial

A MAN who killed a promising young footballer with a single punch will be eligible for parole in just over two years.

Wally James Hung was sentenced to six years and nine months' prison in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday.

Earlier in the day a jury found him guilty of the manslaughter of 23-year-old Todd Parnell.

Hung will be eligible for parole on December 31, 2015 after taking into account time served in pre-sentence custody and for another assault.

Parnell, a junior Broncos player, was "king hit" by Hung in the early hours of July 26, 2009 at a post-game celebration on Bribie Island and died in hospital the next day.

A different jury had previously found Hung guilty of the offence, but his legal team was able to secure him a retrial on appeal.

A second trial was dismissed when the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

Prosecutor Phil McCarthy told Hung's sentencing hearing that Hung had served 12 months' prison for punching another person in the head while on bail for manslaughter.

Mr Parnell's mother and sister read out victim-impact statements during the sentencing.

Mother Jenny Stirling said her son had just been beginning the next phase of his life while sister Tara Parnell lamented that she would never see her brother's cheeky grin and hear his contagious laugh.

Hung's barrister James Godbolt said his client suffered depression and anxiety and expressed regret at the outcome of the punch.

However Judge John Byrne questioned how that could be, given Hung had committed a similar crime while on bail.

"The civilised community does not tolerate such sickening, lethal violence," he said.

The judge added that Hung had attacked Mr Parnell from the side without warning but told police Mr Parnell had raised his hand first.

Outside court Mr Parnell's father Tony Parnell said the parole eligibility date did not fit the crime.

"It doesn't matter what happens, Todd will never come back," he told reporters.

Ms Stirling said she had been unable to move on from her son's death and she had not changed his bedroom or moved his shoes from the door in the four years since he'd died.

She said Hung had expressed no remorse.

"I'm a compassionate person, always have been (but) there will never be forgiveness," she told reporters.

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Comedian Simon Pegg in Perth for film

Shaun of the Dead star Simon Pegg has arrived in Perth to film Kill Me Three Times. Source: AAP

ENGLISH actor and comedian Simon Pegg has arrived in Perth to work on the Australian film, Kill Me Three Times.

The star of Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and the recently released The World's End tweeted on Friday: "G'day Perth. Let's make a film."

Pegg seemed to enjoy Perth's sunshine on Sunday too, tweeting: "Beautiful day in Perth, WA. I might even leave the hotel, if I can find the exit."

An hour later he joked: "People keep recommending a bar called The Lucky Shag. Australia, you beautiful bitch, I don't think I could love you more at this point."

The Lucky Shag is a waterfront bar in Perth's CBD.

Written by James McFarland and steered by Red Dog director Kriv Stenders, Kill Me Three Times is a crime thriller set in the Australian surfing town of Eagle's Nest.

It tells the story of a young woman linked to three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge.

Pegg will play a murderer in the film, in stark contrast to his previous good guy roles.

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Worst over in Vic baby illness mystery

More than a dozen babies in Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital have fallen ill to a mystery bug. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN Health Minister David Davis says the worst is over after more than a dozen babies in a hospital nursery came down with a mysterious infection.

Fifteen newborns being cared for in The Royal Women's Hospital's intensive and special care nursery were quarantined when the illness emerged nine days ago.

Two babies had to have surgery for an inflammatory bowel condition.

Mr Davis said the outbreak was a challenge that had been well-managed.

"An infection in neonatal has been worked through and followed up with the support of the chief health officer of Victoria," he said.

"We are now eight days since any further infection. This can happen from time-to-time but has been handled appropriately and carefully."

Mr Davis said state opposition allegations that funding cuts were to blame for stress in neonatal units were false and bed numbers were at record numbers.

He said adequate bed numbers in neonatal units was a long-term challenge for government that was separate to the infection.

"From time-to-time there are peaks in demand (of beds) and there is pressure. However the state government is working to ensure their sufficient capacity," he said.

A hospital spokeswoman said there was no danger to new arrivals and that the babies are getting better.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said she was concerned about the stress on neonatal care units across the state.

"There is continuing pressure put on those units and we know that there has been an issue this week with 20 babies still being barrier nursed," Ms Fitzpatrick said.

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London mayor Johnson backs UK fracking

London Mayor Boris Johnson says wind farms are a "disease" and the UK should embrace nuclear power. Source: AAP

WIND farms are a "disease" which have blighted Britain's countryside and the country should embrace nuclear power and fracking to meet its energy needs, London Mayor Boris Johnson says.

Johnson accused the energy companies of "ruthlessly exploiting" a shortage of supply as he insisted the UK must stop "pussy-footing around" and start exploiting shale gas reserves.

The senior Tory said turning to a new generation of nuclear plants and fracking would cut energy bills and boost the economy.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday he said he was shocked by the number of wind turbines he saw on a recent drive to Scotland.

"It is a good 20 years since I last drove all the way to Scotland, and in the interim something unbelievable has been done - in our name - to our green, pleasant and precious countryside," he said.

"I mean the windmills, the turbines - whatever they are called. I mean the things that look like some hideous Venusian invasion, marching over the moors and destroying the dales; the colossal seaside toys plonked erratically across our ancient landscape; the endless parade of waving white-armed old lunatics, gesticulating feebly at each other across the fields and the glens.

"They seemed to be everywhere, and I asked myself, when were we consulted? Was there a referendum? Did someone ever warn the British people that these moaning seagull slicers were going to be erected on some of the most sensational scenery that God ever called into being?

"The answer is that no one warned us, because no one really took the decision to do it. It just sort of happened. We have contracted these mills like a disease, because of our pathetic apology for an energy policy."

Claiming that the turbines would not meet the UK's needs he blamed the last Labour administration for failing to get to grips with the issue, leaving the UK facing an energy crisis.

"It is time to take the fight to the energy companies, who have been ruthlessly exploiting their position - and the best answer is an enormous increase in supply. We can do it, and we can do it in a way that is as clean and green as any technology on earth," he said.

"First we need to grow some collective cojones and launch the nuclear energy programme that this country has too long delayed. Do you know how much of their juice the French get from their nuclear programme? Almost 80%. They are laughing at us - us, the nation that split the atom!"

He added: "Next, we must stop pussy-footing around, and get fracking. Even if we have 100s of fracking pads, they are nothing like as ugly as windmills, and they can be dismantled as soon as the gas is extracted."

Mr Johnson said shale was "clean and green" and would help the UK secure its own energy supply without relying on gas from countries such as Russia.

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