Thursday 11 September 2008

River sewage spill probed

as posted on TheWest

About 7500 litres of sewage spilled into the Southern River, near Huntingdale, this morning.

The Swan River Trust is investigating the incident, with initial reports indicating a warning alarm alerted Water Corporation officers of an electrical malfunction at the pumping station near Baxter Close.

Swan River Trust Riverpark operations manager Chris Mather said Trust and Department of Environment and Conservation Pollution Response Unit officers were onsite this morning to meet with the Water Corporation and inspect the spill area.

“Warning signs have been placed near the spill site and at key public open spaces downstream,” Mr Mather said.

To report damage to the Swan and Canning rivers and foreshores please contact the Trust on 9278 0900 during office hours or 0419 192 845 after hours.

PERTH
JAYNE RICKARD

as posted on TheWest

Monday 8 September 2008

Alleged glue sniffer burnt in Gosnells shed fire

as posted on TheWest

Chris Thomson
September 8, 2008 - 7:37AM

A 20-year-old man received burns to much of his body when glue he was allegedly sniffing ignited after he lit a cigarette.

Fire and Emergency Services Authority communications centre supervisor Kent Pitman said the man and some friends were in a shed in Murchison Way, Gosnells, when the blaze broke out at 9.50pm.

"The occupants were in the shed (allegedly) sniffing glue, they lit up a cigarette and up she went," Mr Pitman said.

Mr Pitman said the man received burns to "40 to 50 per cent" of his body and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.

Police say the man is in a critical condition.

Mr Pitman said the fire caused about $5000 damage.

Fire and rescue crews from Armadale and Welshpool doused the blaze.

as posted on TheWest

and ...


as posted ABCNews


Man burnt in shed fire


A 20-year-old man has been severely burned in a shed fire at Gosnells.

Firefighers were called to the blaze on Murchison Way just before 10pm.

The man had burns to 50 per cent of his body.

It is believed the fire was started accidently by a cigarette.

Posted Mon Sep 8, 2008 8:26am AEST

as posted ABCNews

W.A. - State of Uncertainty

as posted on Antony Green's Election Blog


By Antony Green

Trying to understand the result of the Western Australian election on Saturday was complicated by uncertainties over the count. But in the cool light of a Sunday afternoon, it appears that the possibility of Labor being re-elected cannot be discounted.

Labor went into the election with a notional 38 seats, 30 seats required for a governing majority. Labor has definitely lost eight seats to the Liberal Party, Kingsley, Darling Range, Bunbury, Ocean Reef, Jandakot, Swan Hills, Southern River and Mount Lawley. The count is uncertain, but it also appears to have lost Morley. Labor also appears to have lost the seat of Kwinana to a Labor-leaning Independent. Labor has four seats in doubt, meaning that Labor appears to have a certain 25 seats.

The Liberal Party have a definite 22 seats including Morley. They came into the election with a notional 15 seats. The eight seats listed as Labor losses are now in the Liberal column, but the seat of Moore has been lost to the National Party, Kalgoorlie to an Independent, while the notionally Liberal seat of Albany remains in doubt with Labor leading. The Liberal Party also appear to have gained the seat of Nedlands from Independent Sue Walker.

The National party have four seats with the gain of Moore. The Liberal-leaning Independents have been re-elected in Churchlands and probably Alfred Cove. The two other independents are John Bowler in Kalgoorlie and Carol Adams in Kwinana. Both are viewed as Labor leaning.

Four seats remain in doubt. Liberal held though Labor represented Albany is currently 117 votes on the Labor side of the ledger. The other three doubtful seats are the Labor seats of Riverton, where the Liberals lead by 34, Forrestfield where Labor is around 200 ahead, plus Wanneroo where counting from the Electoral Commission is not shedding much light on the final result. On Saturday night, Wanneroo had been conceeded by Labor.

If Labor can win three of these four seats, and they currently lead in two, then Labor plus John Bowler and Carol Adams could form a narrow majority. Not a comfortable majority, but a majority none the less.

With four year terms and such a finely balanced Parliament, political journalists are already licking their lips in anticipation.

as posted on Antony Green's Election Blog

Sunday 7 September 2008

`Safe' seats tumble north and south of the river

as posted on PerthNow


THE Labor Party suffered so many defeats in city marginal seats that it was all but tipped out of office.

The Liberal Party wreaked havoc on the Government in the northern suburbs. A 6 per cent swing against Labor saw the Liberals capture Wanneroo, Ocean Reef and Kingsley.

But Colin Barnett's biggest scalps -- which Labor did not see coming -- were stunning wins in Morley and Mt Lawley.

Winning Liberal candidate in Mt Lawley, Michael Sutherland, was last night struggling to come to terms with his surprise victory.

``We had an idea we would be in with a big chance,'' he said. ``Mr Carpenter tried to buy the seat of Mt Lawley and portray her (Karen Brown) as a wonder woman.

``It's amazing I've won. but it just hasn't sunk in yet.''

The writing was on the wall early for the Government as it quickly became obvious it had lost Ocean Reef and Kingsley.

There was ``aggression'' towards the Government at booths in marginal seats.

The Liberal Party also unseated Labor MP Paul Andrews to seize the seat of Southern River.

Liberal candidate Peter Abetz said he had a gut feeling the minute polls closed that he would win.

``We've mounted a pretty formidable campaign at such short notice,'' he said.

Mr Andrews, who had held the seat since 2001, said it was a horrible feeling to lose.

``It feels like having your appendix taken out without any anaesthetic,'' he said. ``I have a beautiful wife and family who I have totally ignored for the best part of 16 years so I think I better start giving them a bit of attention.''

Mr Andrews said if Labor lost the election, Mr Carpenter would have to resign.

``I think he would have to resign, he would be seriously considering it, if not tonight, soon after,'' he said.

In the newly created seat of Jandakot, Liberal candidate Joe Francis was overcome with emotion and fatigue as supporters celebrated at his home in Atwell.

``I'm absolutely worn out,'' he said. ``Im too tired to be happy because I haven't slept.''
Mr Francis hailed Mr Barnett a saviour.

``Colin Barnett is one seat away from the greatest comeback in political history,'' he said. ``The result shows that you can't take your electorate for granted.''

Liberal MP Tony Simpson claimed victory in Darling Range.

Mr Simpson said the result was due to a backlash against Mr Carpenter and the State Government's performance.

``There are three things: Mr Carpenter's arrogance in calling the early election, (the Government) not fixing problems despite the booming economy and the surplus and their negative campaign,'' he said.

One of the few positives for the Government was the faint hope it would hold on to the seat of Riverton.

as posted on PerthNow

MPs who are walking away from politics

as posted on PerthNow

THE following Members of Parliament are walking away from the political arena after today's election.


LABOR PARTY

Kim Chance: Member for the Agricultural Region in the Legislative Council. Leader of the House and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.

Judy Edwards: Member for Maylands in the Legislative Assembly. Former environment minister.
Nick Griffiths: Member for the East Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council. President of the
Upper House and former minister for racing and gaming and government enterprises.

Sheila McHale: Member for Kenwick (renamed Gosnells after electoral redistribution) in the Legislative Council. Minister for Disability Services, Tourism, Culture and the Arts and Consumer Protection.

Sheila Mills: Member for the South Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

Batong Pham: Member for the East Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

Jaye Radisich: Member for Swan Hills in the Legislative Assembly. Announced her retirement after being overlooked by Premier Alan Carpenter for a new safe Labor seat.

Fred Riebeling: Member for NorthWest Coastal and Speaker for the Legislative Assembly.

LIBERAL PARTY
Matt Birney: Member for Kalgoorlie in the Legislative Assembly. Elected Opposition leader after the 2005 state election, but dumped a year later after a series of gaffes.
George Cash: Member for the North Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council. Former minister for mines and lands and president of the Legislative Council.

Bruce Donaldson: Member for Agricultural Region in the Legislative Council.

Ray Halligan: Member for North Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council and Upper House party whip.

Katie HodsonThomas: Member for Carine in the Legislative Assembly. She announced her retirement after Troy Buswell became Liberal leader in January, saying he had made sexist remarks towards her.

Barbara Scott: Member for the South Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council.

INDEPENDENTS
Shelley Archer: Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region in the Legislative Council. She resigned from the ALP in November 2007 after a parliamentary inquiry found she had leaked confidential committee records to disgraced former premier Brian Burke.

Bob Kucera: Member for Yokine (now divided between Mt Lawley and Nollamara) in the Legislative Assembly. He held several ministries, including health, until he was thrown out of Cabinet over a share scandal in 2005. He was overlooked for preselection in Mt Lawley and Nollamara and later resigned from the ALP.

Paul Omodei: Member for Warren-Blackwood (now Blackwood-Stirling) in the Legislative Assembly. He overthrew Matt Birney as Opposition leader in 2006 and was himself toppled by Troy Buswell in early 2007. He was involved in several failed attempts to oust Mr Buswell.

as posted on PerthNow

Day one ..

the following reply was given ...

Thankyou for your enquiry. Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a co...