Liberal National Party embarrassed as MPs go missing in Parliament

• by: Koren Helbig
• From: The Courier-Mail
• November 30, 2011 12:00AM

The LNP has suffered its greatest embarrassment since Campbell Newman became leader after none of the party's MPs showed up to do the job they are paid to do - consider proposed laws on behalf of their constituents.

The 31 Opposition seats in Parliament sat empty for at least 15 minutes yesterday in extraordinary scenes seen only once before over the past two decades. Premier Anna Bligh seized on the no-show to pass three new laws in nine minutes without debate, while accusing the LNP of one of the most "embarrassing parliamentary performances" in Westminster history.

Several LNP MPs eventually filed back into the House, but still they did not contribute to the debate or attempt to slow the passage of the legislation while the missing MPs returned.

But he later admitted he was "disturbed" by the empty chamber while joking that "maybe" his team had sneaked off for an early lunch.

The Gold Coast's Jann Stuckey was the last listed LNP MP to speak in the chamber before the mass exodus, but insisted she "could not recall" if she was the last to leave. The furore came after the passing of a criminal organisation amendment Bill, Commonwealth Games legislation and laws to change public holidays in Queensland.

As MPs yesterday scrambled to explain their unorthodox absence, Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney blamed the Government for the bungle, insisting the ALP had deceitfully told the LNP there would be an hour of other business before debating began.

Commonwealth Games spokesman John-Paul Langbroek and shadow attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie insisted they were caught unawares upstairs in their offices. Bruce Flegg, who as education spokesman had carriage of the public holiday Bill for the Opposition, said he was busy at Mr Newman's press conference in Milton. "This is a matter that's going to have to be dealt with in the party room," he said. Ted Malone, whose shadow industrial relations portfolio would also have been affected by the public holidays Bill, was not even in Brisbane.

Mr Malone said he had headed out of the city for a policy meeting but declined to give further detail. Opposition Whip Ian Rickuss is paid an extra $16,000 a year - and has the option of a car - to ensure members are present for important votes.

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Leahy-Arnold inquest: Sister breaks silence on 'affair' with murdered woman's husband

Melanie Petrinec

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

© The Cairns Post

The sister of murdered Tableland woman Julie-Anne Leahy has hit back at claims she instigated an affair with her brother-in-law and tearfully told a court she was instead the victim of his abuse.

Vanessa Stewart was just 16 when the bodies of Mrs Leahy and Mrs Leahy’s best friend Vicki Arnold were discovered with gunshot wounds south of Atherton on August 9, 1991, after they had been missing for two weeks.  Ms Stewart gave evidence on day seven of a third inquest into the women’s deaths yesterday and detailed for the first time in open court the extent of her involvement with her sister’s husband, Alan Leahy.

Ms Stewart also said she believed Mr Leahy had a hand in the women’s deaths, and slammed two previous inquests that "rubber-stamped" the police theory that Ms Arnold killed her best friend before turning the gun on herself.  She held up a photograph taken by The Cairns Post 20 years ago of her, Mr Leahy and her sister’s four children as proof of just how young she was when she began having sexual intercourse with the man a week after the women disappeared.

"It’s been hard enough dealing with everything I’ve had to deal with, without being branded as some little tart," she told the court. "I was innocent, I was naive and I was vulnerable and I was abused by someone who had my trust." Ms Stewart said she felt "trapped" and "controlled" by Mr Leahy, who she allegedly coached her on what to tell police.

Ms Stewart said Mr Leahy also told her to lie about how long she saw him for on the night the women went missing, and not to mention he woke her to engage in sexual
activity. She said after 20 years of "fear, guilt and embarrassment", she was telling the truth now in the interest of justice. "I am a person who is out to get justice and some kind of truth for my family, and my sister that I can’t get back," she said.  "I know you don’t know me, so I understand why you might question my integrity… but I can give you an assurance that I am here today to tell the truth."

She said after living with Mr Leahy and the children in Western Australia in 1993 and 1994, she began to realise that he had "perhaps killed Julie-Anne and Vicki". When asked earlier if she believed Mr Leahy was involved in the women’s deaths, she replied "Yes, I believe he was". Ms Stewart’s assertion that the two previous inquests in 1992 and 1999 were a "complete systematic failure" was met with applause from the public gallery.

Family, friends and onlookers in the gallery clapped again as Ms Stewart was excused from giving further evidence at the inquiry and walked from the witness box. Mr Leahy is scheduled to give evidence today.

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Gotye- Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)- official film clip (HD)

Expert tells Leahy-Arnold inquest of 'highly unusual case

Melanie Petrinec

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

© The Cairns Post

Expert opinion: Pathologist Dr Tony Ansford leaves Cairns courthouse after giving evidence at the inquest into the deaths of Julie-Anne Leahy and Vicki Arnold

THE husband and sister of murder victim Julie-Anne Leahy are due to give evidence today at a third coronial inquiry into one of the Far North's most infamous mysteries.

Their evidence comes after the inquest into the deaths of Mrs Leahy and best friend Vicki Arnold resumed in Cairns Coroner’s Court yesterday, where a pathologist claimed he believed double-murder was the most likely scenario.

Mrs Leahy, 26, and Ms Arnold, 27, were missing for two weeks when their bodies were discovered with gunshot wounds south of Atherton on August 9, 1991. Police and two previous inquests branded the shooting deaths a murder-suicide, but both women’s families have long disputed the theory and lobbied the State Government for a third inquest, which began earlier this month.

Dr Tony Ansford, a pathologist with almost 40 years experience in the field, was the first to examine the women’s bodies and told the inquest yesterday he too doubted the murder-suicide theory. "I’ve always held the view that this was a highly unusual case… and my view has always been there was likely a third party involved," he said.

However, Dr Ansford said he had never been able to "scientifically exclude" murder-suicide.

Dr Ansford also said he believed the site of the fatal wound behind Ms Arnold’s ear was "unusual" for a suicide, but it could not be excluded.

Mrs Leahy’s younger sister, Vanessa Stewart, is scheduled to appear in court this morning.

The court has previously heard evidence of Ms Stewart’s relationship with her sister’s husband, Alan Leahy, after the women were reported missing.  Mr Leahy is due to give evidence at the inquiry this afternoon.  Representatives of the women’s families have been present in court each day since the inquest began before State Coroner Michael Barnes on November 1

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Cr Cochrane has refused to act.... Its now time for the Mayor to show leadership

The below article featured on this Blog on the 23rd October 2011 and is the most popular local article so far posted since the launch of Ross Parisi - Blog.

The site is still littered with loose sheets of iron and cladding and nothing seems to have been done to clean up the site. The region is expected to be hit by another volatile monsoon and Smithfield Heights is in the firing line of flying debris.

My challenge is now directed to the Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier to act where the Deputy Mayor Cr Margaret Cochrane and Council officers have failed so far and order that this site is cleaned up forthwith.

Ross Parisi

28th November 2011

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A planning permit, a litany of broken promises, a derelict building and a community taken for granted. 

While Cairns waits patiently for the much vaunted employment surge caused by the construction of Cairns Adventure Water Park the site continues to be a blot on the landscape. Located adjacent to the Captain Cook Highway it is not a pleasant and inspiring visage to the passing tourist let alone the Marlin Coast residents that travel this road daily.

The above are not the only problems that arise from a litany of broken promises.  The state of the derelict condition of the building located on the site is of greater concern in particular to the school children of Caravonica School, the residents of Smithfield Heights and to the nearby adjoining residents.

The community is constantly reminded by the authorities nonetheless, the Cairns Weather Bureau and the Cairns Post, of the impending more intense than normal monsoonal wet season and the potential extra cyclonic activity. The region is already experiencing the consequences of such increased activity.

The loose iron roof cladding, the general disrepair of the building is a disaster waiting to happen. Mr Paul Freebody has had ownership of the site for in excess of 3 years and no maintenance/removal to the vandalised and graffiti ridden structure has taken place.

I understand that Mr Paul Freebody is having difficulty putting together the finance to make his Water Park happen. The much publicised starting date as reported in the Cairns Post has come and gone.  All the promised jobs have not eventuated. The principal reason for approval has proved to be a false premise.

This does not surprise me due to the fact that the proposed facility is located within the Barron River Delta and bisected by an old river bed. Any Financier would be reluctant to fund a potential non performing loan. While the community might be sympathetic with his bad investment predicament the community nevertheless should not be burden with a derelict site.

Therefore, I find it incredulous that Cairns Regional Council can condone a $ 35 million development approved site to remain a cyclonic borne threat to the surrounding community. What I find more disturbing is that Mr Paul Freebody and his development company are showing contempt for the community by their arrogant demeanour. His action or lack thereof is synonymous with an errant corporate citizen.

My challenge to Mr Paul Freebody is to rectify this situation forthwith and to show the Cairns community that he is indeed interested in the well being of the local community. Perhaps, Mr Paul Freebody could begin to create the promised employment opportunities by hiring unemployed people to clean up the site.

As a resident of the Cairns area for over 50 years and a keen advocate of positive community action, I find it abhorrent that Mr Paul Freebody allows such a situation to exist and continue unattended. Using the excuse that construction work is imminent will not wash with the community. It is unlikely that the project will go ahead and even if it did go ahead it will not happen before this years’ monsoon.

On behalf of the community, I hereby call on Mr Paul Freebody to clean up the site of all loose material that is a potential threat to the well being of the Smithfield Heights residents. Bring back the old Excavator and put it to work. Furthermore, if the site is not remedied satisfactorily by the end of November then Cairns Regional Council serve Mr Paul Freebody with the appropriate notice/s to make the site safe from potential aerial debris.

The Cairns Regional Council representative for Division 8 is Cr M. Cochrane. It is imperative of her to take a personal interest in this matter until it is satisfactorily resolved. The time has come for action, not more promises.

Ross Parisi

23.10.2011
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Paul Freebody, this is a montage of disgrace. Your rants of victinisation are a veil for your lack of respect for the community you were prepared to represent. My suggestion to you is that you put your own house in order before you want others to do the same and treat you with respect. Now go too it and clean up this mess!

These photos show you the internal perspective of Freebody's building of shame. Alcoholic containers, bongs and herion shooting aides are shrewing all over the ground.  

Cr Cochrane this is in the heart of your electorate and you seem to close your eyes to it while the children you represent are up to no good. Are you waiting for a fatality to occur before you choose to intervene and have the Council you control take action?  

Rowan Silva nominated for human rights award

Nick Dalton

Monday, November 28, 2011

© The Cairns Post

Cairns solicitor Rowan Silva, who successfully sued the Defence Department in a landmark Federal Court civil judgment in which a Cairns rape victim was awarded $400,000 compensation, is a finalist for the prestigious Australian Human Rights Commission Law Award.

The 50-year-old is one of only four finalists nationwide with the award being announced in Sydney on December 9. Mr Silva, of Wettenhall Silva Solicitors, has been recognised for his long standing commitment to promoting and advancing human rights in Australia. "I am both delighted and humbled to be chosen as a finalist for this year’s Human Rights Law Award," he said. "Human rights work has been intrinsic to my whole career as a lawyer. "While this work has at times been extremely demanding, it has also been exceptionally satisfying, providing career highlights that have entrenched my faith in our legal system to recognise injustice and provide redress when fundamental rights have been breached."

In the landmark court case, the woman was awarded $400,000 compensation while the department was found to be liable for Able Seaman Austin Smith’s conduct and his two superior officers were found liable for her victimisation by the sailor. During the court hearing she told of being subjected to pornographic images, lewd messages and sexual harassment at a navy logistics office in Kenny St in 2001 in the months leading up to the rape.

Other human rights work, which has been recognised by the Human Rights Commission, includes discrimination complaints made on behalf of two Aboriginal women who had been refused service in a hotel in Townsville in 1991, action on behalf of an indigenous prison officer who was a victim of entrenched discriminatory attitudes and behaviour at the Townsville Correctional Centre as well as numerous cases involving sex discrimination, sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination.

Most recently, Mr Silva represented a complainant in an action against the Cairns Regional Council which concerned unlawful discrimination on the basis of political belief or activity. The complaint was upheld after a four-day trial with Mr Silva’s client being awarded $368,000 in compensation, a record amount for any case decided under Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.

Far North Queensland Law Association president Julian Brown said Mr Silva was a long standing member of the FNQLA and a well respected member of the legal profession. "He has long been known as a champion of the disadvantaged in Cairns and the Far North and for advocating on behalf of those who have difficulty advocating on behalf of themselves," he said.

Mandy Shircore, a senior lecturer at James Cook University, nominated Mr Silva for the award.
 
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Rudd open to direct election of ALP leader

By Adam Gartrell, Updated November 27,
2011, 12:23 pm

AAP ©

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says he has an open mind about the idea of giving Labor's ordinary members a say in the election of the party's parliamentary leader.

Mr Rudd has issued a fresh call for reform of the ALP in the lead-up to this week's national conference.Mr Rudd has warned that unless Labor undergoes serious organisational surgery it is at risk of fading away and becoming a third party in Australian politics.

He wants rank and file branch members to be given the power to directly elect the party's national secretary, national executive and delegates to the national conference."There is a structural problem that needs to be dealt with," the foreign minister told Sky News on Sunday."How do you take control of the Australia Labor Party back from the factions and deliver it to 35,000 members of the Australian Labor Party?"Because those members have been leaving in droves."

Mr Rudd says he also wants a "conversation" about ALP NSW General Secretary Sam Dastyari's radical proposal to give the rank and file a say on who becomes the party's parliamentary leader."I have an open mind on the question and the need to have such a debate," he said."Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend.
"Do I have a defined position on it? No. Do I think we should have a conversation about it? Yes."

The parliamentary caucus should have its own conversation about the proposal, Mr Rudd said."It would be interesting to see what the attitude of caucus members might be. I don't know." Mr Rudd said the party had nothing to fear from its members. "Because I believe they are actually much closer to the Australian people themselves," he said. "They represent the diversity of the nation. The factions do not."

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said Mr Rudd's proposals should be seen in the context of his own wish to return to the party's leadership. "This is a direct challenge to the prime minister," Ms Bishop told Sky News. "His attack on the factions is a reminder of how Julia Gillard took his job from him. "I think that Kevin Rudd's reform suggestions have to be put in the context of a leadership challenge."

Ms Bishop said the Liberal Party was "working through" its own reform proposals.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who is also the federal president of the ALP, said Mr Rudd's comments should resonate with the party's members.She said factions would always evolve within political parties but they should not exist to the detriment of others.

"There's nothing unusual of people of a like mind coming together within organisations, you'll see it all the time, whether it's a P and C at school or a political party," Ms Bligh told reporters on Sunday. "What's not acceptable is when those organisations, within organisations, call them factions or anything else, become so entrenched and so removed from other members of the group it becomes unhealthy and we are bordering on that. "It's time to bite the bullet, modernise and democratise the party."
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Key claims victory in NZ election

By New Zealand correspondent Dominque Schwartz, wires

Updated November 27, 2011 01:00:26

New Zealand prime minister John Key and his wife Bronagh Key  wave as they celebrate the National Party's victory. New Zealand prime minister John Key has declared victory in the country's general election.

A beaming Mr Key addressed the party faithful in Auckland on Saturday night after his National Party returned to office for a second term with an increased vote of 48 per cent. Mr Key says he will govern with the support of at least two minor parties after being left one seat short of governing in his own right.

He said it was an awesome night and that he was proud to be prime minister. "New Zealand has voted for a brighter future, and there will be a brighter future," Mr Key, who was draped in blue and white streamers, told supporters. Mr Key campaigned on promises to build on policies of the past three years, with an emphasis on sparking economic growth by cutting debt, curbing spending, selling state assets and returning to a budget surplus by 2014-15.

"The government will be focused on building a more competitive economy, with less debt, more jobs, and higher incomes," he said.  Mr Key says he will sign formal agreements with two of his previous coalition partners over the next few days and will also hold talks with the Maori Party. On the opposite side, Labour has shed seats, scoring only 28 per cent of the vote, which will almost certainly spell an end to Opposition leader Phil Goff's leadership. Mr Goff, who was returned to his seat, addressed his supporters, congratulating returning and new Labour MPs.

"It wasn't our time this time," he said. "We're a bit bloodied, but we're not defeated." Labour is set to lose nine seats. Mr Goff said he would continue to fight for a fairer New Zealand and refused to answer questions about his ongoing leadership. "I rang John Key tonight and I wished him well for the next three years," Mr Goff said.

Minor parties

The other election winners are the Greens which have doubled their vote and will have 13 members in the 121-seat parliament. Its leaders have left the door open for negotiating a deal with the National-led government.

Maverick politician Winston Peters will also return to parliament after his New Zealand First Party tracked above the 5 per cent threshold needed to get the party into parliament.Under New Zealand's proportional voting system, parties must secure either a local electorate seat, or 5 per cent of the nationwide vote to get into parliament.

In the lead-up to the election, New Zealand First was given little chance of claiming any seats. "We told people to wait for help. Tonight it has arrived," Mr Peters told followers after securing eight seats. The final tally of seats could yet change when tens of thousands of absentee votes are counted over the next two weeks.

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Major aquifer for Cairns plan put on ice

Daniel Strudwick

Friday, November 25, 2011

© The Cairns Post

A major project to secure Cairns' future water supply will be delayed another year to allow for more research into its environmental impacts as requested by community members.

The Mulgrave River aquifer project has been put on ice so more data can be collected during the 2012 dry season, potentially putting pressure on other water infrastructure to be fast-tracked.

The State Government and Cairns Regional Council both identified the Mulgrave River project as critical infrastructure, but have also flagged possible water extractions at Lake Placid and the Nullinga Dam project, west of Mareeba. Forecasts reveal the region’s water supply needs will exceed existing sources in the "short term to medium term", according to the State Government.

And the latest delay to the Mulgrave River Aquifer means another water source could still be years away. A panel of residents and industry stakeholders has told the council to shelve the project because of concerns the computer modelling used during the planning phase can’t accurately measure environmental impacts.

"With such a sensitive system of high community, biological and economic value, the risks of proceeding on the basis of the modelling alone remain too great from a community viewpoint," panel chairman Dr Allan Dale said. But the council will press ahead with the project planning anyway, agreeing to install new monitoring stations and bores around
Behana Creek to gather a year’s data about the project’s impacts during dry periods.

While council officers believe they could get the relevant approvals to start work on the Mulgrave River aquifer immediately, the council says it won’t commit to the project until the local community is on side too. "We’ve got the licence from the State Government but the community concerns go beyond what the State Government approval covers," the council’s general manager of water and waste, Bruce Gardiner, said. "They’re concerned about the social impacts and the potential agricultural impacts and we want to make a decision that everybody is happy with." He said the need for new water sources was "pressing".

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Procol Harum - Homburg -2006. Live at Ledreborg Palace 2006.

http://www.nme.com/nme-video/youtube/id/H4dWfQ7Vhvo

                       



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Speaker coup shifts power to Julia Gillard

• by: Matthew Franklin
• From: The Australian
• November 25, 2011 12:00A  

 

 Julia Gillard has snared a crucial extra vote on the floor of parliament but faces opposition claims she engineered the resignation of Harry Jenkins as Speaker in a grubby deal to replace him with renegade Liberal Peter Slipper.

The resulting shift in the nation's political power balance has significantly increased the likelihood that Labor will serve its full three-year term by giving it a buffer in the event that NSW MP Craig Thomson is forced to resign over an alleged corruption scandal, and enhancing its ability to win approval for its policy agenda.

The realignment has shaken the opposition, with Mr Slipper quitting the Coalition to sit as an independent and attributing his decision in part to pressure over his preselection within Queensland's Liberal National Party. Yesterday's shift came on the final parliamentary sitting day for the year, which also marked the fourth anniversary of Labor's 2007 election victory to end 11 years of Coalition rule.

According to the government, the drama began at about 7.30am when Mr Jenkins told the Prime Minister he wanted to "participate in policy and parliamentary debate" and could not do so as Speaker, a role he had held for four years.

Within an hour, Labor's leader in the House of Representatives, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, had offered the job to Mr Slipper. The Queensland MP, Deputy Speaker under Mr Jenkins, had been under pressure in his Sunshine Coast electorate of Fisher by opponents wanting to dump him in favour of former Howard government minister Mal Brough, who lost his seat in 2007. Mr Slipper's acceptance of the nomination and subsequent resignation from the LNP robbed the opposition of one vote on the floor of the House of Representatives, while Mr Jenkins's return to the backbench added a number to Labor's minority government.

The change means that while Labor previously required the parliamentary support of four crossbenchers to win approval for legislation, it will now require only three, leaving greater room for negotiation with the independents and Greens MP Adam Bandt. As the government made clear yesterday that it would honour all commitments it had made to the independents to secure their support, including contentious changes to poker-machine gaming rules, Tony Abbott accused Ms Gillard of forcing Mr Jenkins to "walk the plank" in a "sordid political fix" designed to advance her own interests.

Declaring yesterday "a day of infamy", the Opposition Leader said no one would believe Ms Gillard's claim that Mr Jenkins had quit of his own accord. "An honourable man -- the member for Scullin -- has been sacrificed to protect the political life of a failing prime minister," Mr Abbott said. "The Australian people don't believe you and they want you gone." Discussing Mr Jenkins's resignation on Twitter last night, Labor MP Mike Kelly said the former Speaker had wanted to "take one for the team".

Mr Abbott said the government had defied conventions of Westminster government, which he said required the government of the day to provide the Speaker. The Liberal leader said the controversial Mr Slipper was no longer the Coalition's problem. "He's not my man; he's the Prime Minister's man now," he told ABC's 7.30. "She's the one that has to defend him."

Mr Abbott also demanded the Prime Minister reveal what she knew about Mr Jenkins's intentions before yesterday and whether she had courted Mr Slipper. "We should not have had the former Speaker going to Government House today to tender his resignation," Mr Abbott said. "We should have had the Prime Minister going to tender her resignation."

However, Ms Gillard said the first she heard of Mr Jenkins's intentions was yesterday morning and that she had held no discussions with Mr Slipper. Accusing Mr Abbott of peddling "bizarre conspiracy theories", Ms Gillard returned fire, saying he had continued with a campaign of unrelenting negativity in "the longest dummy-spit" in Australian history.

Mr Albanese said he had not pressed for Mr Jenkins's resignation nor sought to recruit Mr Slipper before yesterday. He said Mr Slipper had run for the speakership after last year's federal election and that it was clear he was interested in the job. "It's the LNP in Queensland who were clearly hounding Mr Slipper out of their own political party," Mr Albanese told Sky News. "That's been pretty public."

Mr Jenkins said he was leaving the job "placidly" and with his humour intact and made no comment about the opposition's claims that he was pressed to give up the job he had held for four years, at a cost of about $100,000 a year in salary. Speculation was rife in Parliament House that, while Ms Gillard and Mr Albanese had kept out of the affair until yesterday, other Labor MPs had been courting Mr Slipper as it became clear he was unlikely to win LNP nomination to contest the next election. Sources also said Mr Jenkins's decision was linked to Labor's efforts to bolster its numbers in the event that claims Mr Thomson used a union-provided credit card to hire prostitutes, which are under police investigation, led to him being forced out of parliament.

Facing expulsion from the Coalition for taking the role, Mr Slipper told parliament he would surrender his LNP membership after 17 years as a member of the Nationals, 19 years with the Liberal Party and three with the merged LNP. "I must say that I've been encouraged in this opportunity to serve the parliament in a new way by the action of some people in the LNP in recent times," Mr Slipper said.

Last night Labor MPs were considering the policy implications of the change in numbers. Sources said previously rejected legislation, including a $2.9 billion move to increase the thresholds for private health insurance subsidies, might be put to a fresh vote. They also conceded the change might trigger a caucus move for Labor not to require mandatory pre-commitment technology on poker machines.

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Rats prepared to ditch their parties to survive

  

• by: George Megalogenis
• From: The Australian
• November 25, 2011 12:00AM

Every party - big or small, deceased or ticking - has a Queensland rat to curse.  According to the government, the drama began at about 7.30am when Mr Jenkins told the Prime Minister he wanted to "participate in policy and parliamentary debate" and could not do so as Speaker, a role he had held for four years.

Within an hour, Labor's leader in the House of Representatives, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, had offered the job to Mr Slipper. The Queensland MP, Deputy Speaker under Mr Jenkins, had been under pressure in his Sunshine Coast electorate of Fisher by opponents wanting to dump him in favour of former Howard government minister Mal Brough, who lost his seat in 2007. Mr Slipper's acceptance of the nomination and subsequent resignation from the LNP robbed the opposition of one vote on the floor of the House of Representatives, while Mr Jenkins's return to the backbench added a number to Labor's minority government.

The change means that while Labor previously required the parliamentary support of four crossbenchers to win approval for legislation, it will now require only three, leaving greater room for negotiation with the independents and Greens MP Adam Bandt. As the government made clear yesterday that it would honour all commitments it had made to the independents to secure their support, including contentious changes to poker-machine gaming rules, Tony Abbott accused Ms Gillard of forcing Mr Jenkins to "walk the plank" in a "sordid political fix" designed to advance her own interests.

Declaring yesterday "a day of infamy", the Opposition Leader said no one would believe Ms Gillard's claim that Mr Jenkins had quit of his own accord. "An honourable man -- the member for Scullin -- has been sacrificed to protect the political life of a failing prime minister," Mr Abbott said. "The Australian people don't believe you and they want you gone."

Discussing Mr Jenkins's resignation on Twitter last night, Labor MP Mike Kelly said the former Speaker had wanted to "take one for the team". Mr Abbott said the government had defied conventions of Westminster government, which he said required the government of the day to provide the Speaker. The Liberal leader said the controversial Mr Slipper was no longer the Coalition's problem. "He's not my man; he's the Prime Minister's man now," he told ABC's 7.30. "She's the one that has to defend him."

Mr Abbott also demanded the Prime Minister reveal what she knew about Mr Jenkins's intentions before yesterday and whether she had courted Mr Slipper. "We should not have had the former Speaker going to Government House today to tender his resignation," Mr Abbott said. "We should have had the Prime Minister going to tender her resignation."
However, Ms Gillard said the first she heard of Mr Jenkins's intentions was yesterday morning and that she had held no discussions with Mr Slipper.

Accusing Mr Abbott of peddling "bizarre conspiracy theories", Ms Gillard returned fire, saying he had continued with a campaign of unrelenting negativity in "the longest dummy-spit" in Australian history. Mr Albanese said he had not pressed for Mr Jenkins's resignation nor sought to recruit Mr Slipper before yesterday. He said Mr Slipper had run for the speakership after last year's federal election and that it was clear he was interested in the job. "It's the LNP in Queensland who were clearly hounding Mr Slipper out of their own political party," Mr Albanese told Sky News. "That's been pretty public."

Mr Jenkins said he was leaving the job "placidly" and with his humour intact and made no comment about the opposition's claims that he was pressed to give up the job he had held for four years, at a cost of about $100,000 a year in salary. Speculation was rife in Parliament House that, while Ms Gillard and Mr Albanese had kept out of the affair until yesterday, other Labor MPs had been courting Mr Slipper as it became clear he was unlikely to win LNP nomination to contest the next election. Sources also said Mr Jenkins's decision was linked to Labor's efforts to bolster its numbers in the event that claims Mr Thomson used a union-provided credit card to hire prostitutes, which are under police investigation, led to him being forced out of parliament.

Facing expulsion from the Coalition for taking the role, Mr Slipper told parliament he would surrender his LNP membership after 17 years as a member of the Nationals, 19 years with the Liberal Party and three with the merged LNP. "I must say that I've been encouraged in this opportunity to serve the parliament in a new way by the action of some people in the LNP in recent times," Mr Slipper said.

Last night Labor MPs were considering the policy implications of the change in numbers. Sources said previously rejected legislation, including a $2.9 billion move to increase the thresholds for private health insurance subsidies, might be put to a fresh vote. They also conceded the change might trigger a caucus move for Labor not to require mandatory pre-commitment technology on poker machines.

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House Speaker Harry Jenkins resigns

• by: Ben Packham
• From: The Australian
• November 24, 2011 9:09AM

The Speaker of the House of Representatives has resigned.

Speaker of the Federal parliament Harry Jenkins has resigned from his post, saying he wants to participate more in Labor Party policy and affairs. He will visit the Governor-General today to make the decision official. Today will be his last day as speaker.

The move comes amid a further breakdown in relations of Liberal Deputy Speaker Peter Slipper and his own party. Opposition leader Tony Abbott said he’d had no notice of the move and he believed something “extraordinary” had occurred. In a statement to Parliament, Speaker Jenkins said he’d divorsed himself from party political matters in order to carry out his duties in a non-partisan manner. “In this era of minority government I have progressively become frustrated at this stricture,” he said. “My desire is to be able to participate in policy and parliamentary debate, and this would be incompatible with continuing in the role of Speaker. “As a consequence, when I vacate the Chair at the end of this short statement I will visit the Governor-General to tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives. “I thank all members for their co-operation which they have dispensed to varying degrees depending upon the individual.”

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott thanked Mr Jenkins for “serving this parliament with distinction for four years”.“It is a remarkable thing for this parliament to witness out of the blue the resignation of the speaker,” he said.“One must assume that’s something extraordinary is happening in the Labor party at the moment for the speaker to resign his office,’’ he said Mr Abbott said the Coalition would support whoever Labor proposed to replace Mr Jenkins. Prime Minster Julia Gillard said she would speak further about Mr Jenkins resignation later today.
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Cochrane | Blake support the Cultural Precinct before 'flip flopping'

 

In politics like in most other matters, the truth always comes out sometimes with embarrassing consequences, moreso when transcripts are kept of procedural matters and then are made public.

Below is the Council resolution relating to the go ahead on the Cultural Precinct plan and the authority given to the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer to proceed with the Heads of Agreement .

What is interesting to note is that the motion dated 11th December 2008 was moved and seconded respectively by Cr Blake and Cr Cochrane and carried unanimously by all Councillors present.

However, with the fast approaching 2012 local government election, Councillors are shoring up their discredited personal political positions. Cr Cochrane, recent announcement of her intention to nominate for the position of Mayor has resulted in what is termed in political talk as a 'flip flop'. That is, from being the sponsor of the below motion Cr Cochrane is now actively acting against it. She is using this issue as a tool to differentiate and distance herself from the Mayor Val Schier.

The people of Cairns need to see her latest position as nothing more than an act of political bastardary on the part of Cr Cochrane and her fellow travellers. She is prepared to play politics at the expense of the best interest of the City and the well being of its residents.

Cr Cochrane's action has put into jeopardy the proposed State/Federal government's contribution of $100 million. She knows that without this contribution the project cannot go ahead. Sadly, Cr Cochrane and her adherants are prepared to risk all for their short term political gain.  

Cr Cochrane's actions are in direct contradiction to her Oath of Office she recited when she was sworn in as a Councillor in March 2008.

Ross Parisi
24th November 2011



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Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel (HD)

Far North and southern interest in CEC Group's properties

Nick Dalton

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

© The Cairns Post

Selloff: The former headquaters of the CEC Group. Formal tenders to buy the group’s entire portfolio or individual properties close at 4pm today.

Most of the interest in one of the largest land banks offered in the region in 20 years has come from Far Northern buyers or those with southern connections based in Cairns.

Formal tenders to buy the CEC Group’s entire portfolio or individual properties close at 4pm tomorrow. Nearly 900ha of prime undeveloped land, worth more than $50 million, is part of the sale. Included are large parcels of land in the southern growth corridor of Cairns in the Mt Peter master planning area, where most of the city’s residential growth will take place over the next 10 years.

It comprises 13 separate properties from Townsville, through some of Cairns’ most popular suburbs to Kuranda, and as far north as Cooktown. Colliers International Cairns managing director Stacey Quaid said he expected the majority of tenders to be lodged by people with "good knowledge and understanding of the region’s development property market". "Interest has come from the majors through to first time buyers," he said. Mr Quaid said it was expected people would leave lodging their documents to the last minute. He said about 75 per cent of inquiries had come from Far Northern people and a quarter by southern interests.

Bought as part of the group’s strategic acquisition of quality landholdings throughout north Queensland over many years, the properties are being sold on behalf of receivers and managers McGrathNicol. "We have had outstanding interest in this portfolio. The phones were ringing hot with solid inquiries even before tenders were formally called," Mr Quaid said. "Property developers and investors are realising it’s an extremely rare opportunity to secure one or more prime properties that might not otherwise have been available to buy," he said. "Based on the interest we have seen so far, we’re confident of having some positive sale options for the sellers within the timeframes."

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Acid traces found at home of alleged murderer

Kelly Burns

Thursday, November 24, 2011

© The Cairns Post

Delving: SES volunteers assisted in the search around the home of alleged murder victim Li Pin Cao yesterday, scouring a creek near the Brinsmead property while police explored underground drains. Picture: MARC McCORMACK

The intricate search for the remains of alleged murder victim Li Ping Cao continues with reports acid traces have been found at the Brinsmead property.
 

Police would not comment on the reports or give specific details on the death of the 42-year-old. Yesterday, detectives and scientific officers continued to search underground drains at the woman’s home in a Brinsmead street while SES volunteers scoured a nearby creek. On Tuesday, Ms Cao’s husband of five years, Klaus Andres, was charged with her murder. He was the last person to see Ms Cao alive on October 31.

Her friends reported her missing days later. Last week, Mr Andres made a public plea to help find his wife but the 68-year-old is now in custody and will  appear in court on November 29. Far Northern regional crime co-ordinator Det Insp Bruno Asnicar said the search would cover a wide area and focus on "fine, minute details".  "It will be focusing on the collection of samples and forensic testing," he said.

Yesterday, up to 20 officers were at the crime scene and police would be there until at least the weekend.  Police were still piecing together Ms Cao’s last days and wanted to hear from anyone in the community who had contact with Ms Cao or Mr Andres.

Meanwhile, Ms Cao, who had a teenage son, was remembered by friends as a kind-hearted woman. "She was a lovely lady. She was so friendly and charming," friend Judy Cho said.

Ms Cao, who met her husband when he was holidaying in China, was studying English at TAFE.

Another friend, who asked not to be named, said he had worked with Ms Cao at a Chinese restaurant until she left in September 2010 to go to China and she treated him like a son.

"She was a nice and pretty woman, friendly and talkative, she took her work seriously and had a sense of  humour.  "I felt very warm when working with her. Everyone misses her at work." It is understood Ms Cao’s sister, with whom she was close and in daily contact until she disappeared, is due to arrive in Cairns soon.

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Murder victim did not go missing afterall

Missing wife case now a murder investigation

Melanie Petrinec

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

© The Cairns Post

A BRINSMEAD man has been charged with his missing wife's murder just one week after making an impassioned plea to the Far Northern community for information on her whereabouts.

 Police are now concentrating on the "fine, minute details" of the case after Klaus Andres, 68, faced Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with the murder of 42-year-old Li Ping Cao and was remanded in custody.

About the same time, Cairns Regional Council crews were working with a circular saw to cut into bitumen surrounding a drain near Mr Andres’ home on Chapel Close, where a crime scene has been established. Far Northern regional crime co-ordinator Det Insp Bruno Asnicar would not reveal whether Ms Cao’s body had been found, but said police were "satisfied that the victim is deceased" and investigations were continuing. "We’re going into very fine, minute details in the investigation now," he said. "It’s as a result of that line of investigation we have progressed to where we are now.  "The investigation is … far from over."

Det Insp Asnicar said the case has focused "greatly on forensics", with scientific officers from Brisbane being flown in to assist with the investigation. He said Ms Cao’s family in China had been contacted, and it was believed they would be arriving in Cairns over the coming days.

The Chinese Consulate has also been informed.  It is believed Mr Andres met Ms Cao during a holiday in China, and they have been married for five years.  She was last seen alive on October 31. On November 14, Mr Andres fronted a media conference at Cairns police station to make a public plea for any information that may reveal his wife’s whereabouts.

Det Insp Asnicar said police wanted to talk to anyone in the business community – such as shop assistants or newsagents – who had contact with Ms Cao or Mr Andres.  "We’ve still got a lot of gaps in the timeline," he said. Mr Andres’ defence solicitor, Stephen O’Reilly, told Cairns Magistrates’ Court he believed more charges were pending.  He asked for the case to be adjourned to November 29. "Hopefully, by that stage we’ll know exactly what we’re dealing with," he said.

Outside court, Mr O’Reilly said Mr Andres intended to apply for bail at a later date.

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