OZ Lotto jackpots to $100m

OZ Lotto jackpots to $100m for Melbourne Cup Day. Source: The Courier-Mail

OZ Lotto jackpots to record $100 million on Melbourne Cup day after Division 1 prize money fails to pick up a winner yet again.

Next Tuesday's $100 million jackpot - dubbed the "jackpot that stops a nation'' by organisers because it will fall on Melbourne Cup Day - sets a new record for an advertised first division prize pool.

It is just shy of Australia's largest ever lotto win - when $106,549,984.76 was shared between two punters in June 2009 - however that draw had only been guaranteed at $90 million.

Last night's winning numbers were 26, 21, 31, 4, 8, 5 and 16 (Supplementaries: 32, 41).

More than one third of the nation had a ticket in the draw but all were luckless again.

OZ Lotto has been without a Division 1 winner since one lucky soul claimed a $13 million win on August 28 - nine weeks.

"While no one in Australia matched the seven winning numbers drawn in Oz Lotto to win the $70 million first division prize, more than 1.9 million Australians won prizes across divisions two to seven, sharing in a total prize pool of $39.4 million,'' a lotteries spokeswoman said.

EARLIER

PICK your four-leaf clovers, hold up a horse shoe and choose your lucky numbers - $70 million is up for grabs tonight.

More than 5.5 million people are expected to buy a ticket for tonight's Oz Lotto jackpot, with more than half of the tickets expected to be bought today.

Sixty per cent of those trying their luck tonight will use randomly generated numbers to choose their seven potential winning numbers.

Players opting for this quick pick option will have a 1 in 3.7 million chance of winning the big cash prize, but Golden Casket public relations manager Elissa Lewis said those choosing their own numbers needed to consider some numbers could have the Midas touch.

"There are seven numbers that have been drawn more than once in a draw like this and they are six, 11, 23, 29, 34, 40, 42,'' she said.

About 7600 tickets expected to be purchased every minute across the nation between 4 and 5pm tonight.

Ms Lewis said Queensland players would have until 6.30pm to buy their tickets and would only need to wait an hour and 10 minutes to find out if they had become overnight millionaires.

"If someone won the entire $70 million it would make a new record with the single largest lotto winner in Australia,'' she said.

This is the eighth consecutive week where nobody has won the Division 1 prize money.

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Uni students paid to go to Asia

Aussie university students will be eligible for grants of up to $5000 to broaden their cultural horizons in Asian countries such as Thailand. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

THOUSANDS of Australian tertiary students will gain access to small study grants to travel to Asia from next year, the Federal Government will announce today.

The Gillard Government will commit $37 million over three years to a new Asia-Bound Grant program, with between $2000 and $5000 offered to young adults undertaking short work/study periods abroad in an Asian country.

The scheme aims to promote work in Asian countries to the benefit of both the students and the host organisation.

Flinders University will be among the institutions involved at the Australian end through its support of the Volunteer for Visayans Community Feeding Project in the Philippines.

Student placements will entail "planning, budgeting and support in the daily feeding of up to 35 pre-school children".

The new program is part of the Government's Asian Century White Paper process and is designed to foster stronger links, and to integrate Asian language and culture more fully into Australian post-school education.

Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans will announce details of the new scheme today in Canberra which will also feature $1000 grants for Asian language preparatory study and $1000 top-up grants for "intensive language training".

"Asia-Bound will support more than 10,000 Australian students to enjoy the experience of living and studying in an Asian country," he said.

He said the program had been designed to provide Australians with "the opportunity to build lifelong professional networks and friendships".

"In addition, all Australian students, across all disciplines, will have greater support to take up part of their study in Asia," he said.

"Through the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper, we aim to have a larger number of Australian university students studying overseas and a greater proportion undertaking part of their degree in an Asian country by 2025."

Senator Evans said the next generation of Australian leaders "will need to be increasingly Asian-literate and these are skills best learnt by experiencing Asia first-hand".

"The updated scheme means low-cost, student-friendly loans to give more students assistance to take some of their study overseas."

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Good news, we're working less hours

The number of parents in the workforce with dependent children jumped 88 per cent since 2006. Picture: File Source: Supplied

• Census data reveals a changing Australian workforce
• Big jump in the number of parents in the workforce
• Increased demand for health and social assistance workers
• The curse of living in interesting times

WORKING excessive hours is declining, with the number of employees working 40 or more hours a week dropping from 47.16 per cent in 2006 to 46.33 per cent in 2011.

Andrew Henderson, executive director for the 2011 census, said the census data shows a changing Australian workforce.

"Clearly there are fundamental shifts in jobs,'' he said. "There are more people with postgraduate qualifications and professionals now make up 21.3 per cent of the working population.''

Stay-at-home parents are becoming a disappearing breed, with more than than 2 million returning to the workforce in the past five years.

The number of parents in the workforce with dependent children jumped from 2,767,095 in 2006 to 5,191,779 in 2011 - a rise of 88 per cent.

Of these, 1,542,864 worked full-time, while 881,820 worked part-time.

Mr Henderson believes the trend has increased demand for health care and social assistance workers, as parents with dependants require child care and aged care.

"There has been a 22 per cent increase in jobs in these sectors, while we have only seen an 8 per cent rise in the population,'' he said.

Many Australians see part-time employment as an increasingly attractive option, with an increase of 18.57 per cent in comparison to a 12.74 per cent increase for full-time employment.

Margy Osmond, CEO of the Australian National Retailers Association, has seen the need for increased flexibility.

"Retail is a great career path for people seeking flexible working conditions," she said.

Working excessive hours is declining, with the number of employees working 40 or more hours a week dropping from 47.16 per cent in 2006 to 46.33 per cent in 2011.

Mr Henderson said the census data shows a changing Australian workforce.

"Clearly there are fundamental shifts in jobs,'' he said. "There are more people with postgraduate qualifications and professionals now make up 21.3 per cent of the working population.''

To get to work, the number of Australians using public transport as their main mode of transport increased 258,877 nationally.

However, cars are still the most popular form of commuter transport, increasing by 922,421 to 6,647,124.

Nationally, the number of people who are employed increased by 1,193,246 (14.56 per cent).

The jobless rate also increased, rising from 3.39 per cent to 3.66 per cent.

CENSUS - NATIONAL BREAKDOWN

Census facts: NSW
Total population:
2,643,526 people were employed by the private sector compared to 457,843 people employed by federal, state and local government.
1,694,025 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 252,620. Train users increased 63,544.
196,525 people were unemployed. 1,933,274 people were not in the labour force.
131,553 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 1.32 per cent.             

 Census facts: VIC
Total population:
2,152,776 people were employed by the private sector compared to 349,140 people employed by federal, state and local government.
1,340,460 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 234,717. Bike riders increased 6,653.
144,843 people were unemployed. 1,451,593 people were not in the labour force.
135,263 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 2.16 per cent.

Census facts: QLD
Total population:
In August 2011, 230,209 people were employed by the State government.
1,006,462 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 212,697. People walking to work increased 6,027.
131,800 people were unemployed. 1,079,303 people were not in the labour force.
98,906 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 1.68 per cent.

Census facts: SA
Total population:
614,091 people were employed by the private sector compared to 118,823 people employed by federal, state and local government.
373,615 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 61,173. People walking to work dropped by 138.
44,969 people were unemployed. 466,427 people were not in the labour force.
36,923 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 2.28 per cent.

Census facts: WA
Total population:
927,630 people were employed by the private sector compared to 160,158 people employed by federal, state and local government.
531,524 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 126,735. People working from home increased 3,411.
54,317 people were unemployed. 529,554 people were not in the labour force.
58,933 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 0.32 per cent.

Census facts: TAS
Total population:
174,101 people were employed by the private sector compared to 41,236 people employed by federal, state and local government.
106,974 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 17,229. 2,629 people did not go to work.
14,825 people were unemployed. 151,378 people were not in the labour force.
11,282 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 2.52 per cent.

Census facts: NT
Total population:
67,230 people were employed by the private sector compared to 29,793 people employed by federal, state and local government.
42,119 parents with dependant children entered the workforce.
The number of people using a car as the preferred mode of travel to work increased 11,121. People driving their truck to work dropped by 63.
5,489 people were unemployed. 41,687 people were not in the labour force.
1,251 new part-time jobs were created.
The number of people working 40 hours or more dropped 0.85 per cent.

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Afghanistan exit on track, says Gillard

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the transition of military control to Afghan troops is progressing and on track.

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed Australia's exit from the war in Afghanistan is on track but warned that extra troops and resources may be needed as part of the transition process.

In her annual statement on the war effort to parliament this morning, Ms Gillard has also warned of extra pressures on services and support groups in Australia as a new generation of young combat veterans returns home in coming years.

Ms Gillard said efforts were still in line with her previous advice in April when she said transition in the Oruzgan province would take 12 to 18 months and most troops would return home by the end of next year.

Under the strategy, Afghan forces would take charge of their own security by late 2014.

Ms Gillard said the transition began in July and three of the five tranches of Afghan provinces and districts had begun transition, adding that the government was doing all it could to stop the recent surge of insider attacks from Afghan forces.

"We can and should conclude that today, across Afghanistan, the process of transition is on track,'' she said.

"Our progress since 2009  our plans through to 2014 and beyond  should give Australians cause for measured confidence and resolve.''

But Ms Gillard warned additional troops and resources may be needed to complete the final phases of the transition and that there may be set backs along the way.

"As we begin detailed planning for its final phases, which of course remain some time off, it is likely that we will identify the need for some additional personnel and resources to complete those final phases of practical extraction and repatriation,'' she said.

"There will be difficult days ahead, setbacks in the transition process, days when our resolve will be tested.''

Australia currently has about 1550 troops in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister said Australia would also contribute to a new NATO-led mission after 2014 training, advising and assisting Afghan forces, including through the Afghan National Army Officer Academy.

As she previously advised, Australia may contribute a limited Special Forces contribution as well under certain conditions.

"Beyond 2014, Australia will still have a national interest in denying international terrorism a safe haven in Afghanistan,'' she said.

The latest update to parliament comes after the loss of seven Australian diggers in the past year in Afghanistan, taking the total death toll for the decade-long war to 39.

Ms Gillard said the next decade would see the most young combat veterans live in our communities since the 1970s.

"This is demanding changes in the way the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans' Affairs care for service personnel and veterans,'' she said.

"Organisations such as Legacy and the RSL have performed nearly a century of service to care for those to whom we owe so much  that invaluable work goes on.

"Every Australian should know  you can lend a hand.  Give generously, buy a badge, visit, volunteer.

"Respect for our soldiers and veterans is precious: say g'day, say thanks.''

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard says beating insider attacks is the major challenge in progressing with a planned military transition.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard meets with Australian Defence Force personnel for a BBQ lunch during her visit to the Multi-National Base in Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

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Case closed on leaked Rudd video

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd vents his frustrations by dropping the f-bomb. Or should we say f-bombs.

FEDERAL police have closed the case of the mystery surrounding the leaking of Kevin Rudd's expletive-laden video during the leadership showdown.

The potty-mouthed video was recorded in the prime minister's office when he was Labor leader and then leaked at the height of leadership speculation this year.

But the Daily Telegraph has confirmed that the Australian Federal Police has declared "case closed'' on the matter after an eight month investigation and they have not found the culprit.

In a statement today the AFP said it had now concluded the investigation that was launched in March.

"The AFP did not identify sufficient material or evidence to substantiate charging of any person for theft or unauthorised disclosure," a spokesman said.

"The complainant has been notified of this decision.

"The AFP has finalised the matter and as such, it is not appropriate to comment further."

The video included Mr Rudd declaring, "Just tell those d…heads in the embassy to just give me some simple statements".

Mr Rudd said at the time of the leak: "Anyone who's got a touch of suspicion about them would say that if this was done, somewhat embarrassingly, a couple of years ago and it suddenly emerges now, then obviously it's a little bit on the unusual side.

"These sort of edited off-takes we always assume are just destroyed at the time -- obviously these either have found their way into some archival storage somewhere in the PMO (prime minister's office) or into a government department," Mr Rudd said.

But his office has refused to say whether he triggered the AFP probe himself with a formal complaint to police on the security breach in the prime minister's office.

"Consistent with Mr Rudd's past practice, he does not comment in any respect on Australian Federal Police investigations," a spokesman said.

Previously, Rudd loyalists have insisted the culprit would be found and it could prove embarrassing to the Gillard camp.

"It has such explosive implications. They will find out who did it. I am very confident. Someone's got the source material," a senior Labor figure said earlier this year.

The secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ian Watt, has previously stated a review "found no evidence that the video out-takes, or the finalised video message from which they arose, were ever on the Prime Minister and Cabinet's ICT system".

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Bomb hoaxer had 'psychosis' episode

Madeleine Pulver and Paul Douglas Peters. Source: Herald Sun

HOAX collarbomber Paul Douglas Peters committed a "very clumsy crime" in fixing a fake collarbomb around Madeleine Pulver's neck, a court heard today.

Jonathan Phillips, one of the psychiatrists to examine him, has said the 52-year-old was most likely in an episode "of psychosis" when editing his chilling ransom note.

Professor Phillips says that the crime, to which he pleaded guilty to earlier this year, was carried out by a man "in a highly disturbed state."

Earlier the Sydney District Court heard that Peters wanted to track down the people who he believed were the beneficiaries of a multimillion trust.

Peters told police that "half his job" was writing his treasured novel, the other was "tracking down the trustee", who he believed was in Sydney.

The court heard that the USB stick which formed part of the device strapped around Ms Pulver's neck contained information about the trust.

Professor Phillips told the court that some of the complexity of Peters was that he exhibited normal behaviour in many facets of his life, but had a "breach of reality" in others such as when speaking about the novel and the trust.

Peters is expected to be sentenced later this year for breaking into the Mosman home of schoolgirl Madeleine Pulver on August 3, 2011 and placing a fake collarbomb device around her neck with a ransom note attached.

Since his arrest two weeks after the incident, Peters has been examined by three psychiatrists who agree he suffers from a "depressive condition", the Sydney District Court heard today.

Professor Jonathan Phillips, who examined Peters in February this year and earlier this month, says Peters is "one of the most difficult examinations I have ever had to carry out."

Professor Phillips said Peters presented as "intelligent and articulate" and had lived a life largely "free of mental illness."

But the court heard that when Peters began to speak about the novel he was writing, his usually "concise" thoughts "became fragmented."

Professor Phillips says the book was "very difficult to read."

"He lost me when he began to talk about it." he said.

The hearing continues before Judge Peter Zahra.

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Crushed Taronga Zoo keeper arrives home

Lucy Melo at Sydney's Taronga Zoo Elephant enclosure. Picture: Jeff Darmanin Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Sydney zoo keeper who was crushed by an elephant is now stable

Lucy Melo playing with one of her charges. Picture: Jeff Darmanin Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE Taronga Zoo keeper crushed by an elephant is back at home after being released from hospital Tuesday night.

Lucy Melo was critically injured 12 days ago when young male elephant Pathi Harn - popularly known as Mr Shuffles - pinned her against a bollard at the zoo's elephant enclosure.

Her heart stopped beating for five minutes after the incident.

A zoo spokesman said the 40-year-old elephant keeper was released from Royal North Shore Hospital.

"Lucy Melo ... has made excellent progress in her recovery," the spokesman said.

"She was in good spirits and was commencing a period of rehabilitation."

Lucy's partner, Gary Miller, head of the zoo's elephant program, said the well wishes of the public had helped her overcome life threatening injuries.

"I would like to thank everybody for their messages of love and their prayers, which have absolutely contributed to her speedy recovery," Mr Miller said.

Pathi Harn earned the nickname Mr Shuffles when he was born two years ago despite fears he had died in his mother's womb. Created by artificial insemination, the elephant took days to be able to walk properly.

A zoo investigation to understand better how the incident occurred is making progress, the zoo spokesman said, but would not be complete for some weeks.

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New tourism push tempts backpackers

Tourism Australia has launched a multimillion dollar campaign to tempt backpackers to Australia for working holidays. Picture: Barnes Kelly Source: Supplied

TOURISM Australia's biggest ever campaign aims to draw young people and backpackers from around the world to our shores.

Its multi-million dollar marketing push has a strong focus on the working holiday visa program.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said the visa program was an excellent platform to build a campaign aimed at enticing young people to Australia.

The move comes after a federal government decision to increase application charges for working visas by working holidaymakers.

Mr McEvoy said he did not believe an $80 price hike would deter young people planning to travel for extended periods to Australia.

"The youth market contributes more than a quarter of all Australia's international arrivals and these visitors tend to stay longer and disperse widely," Mr McEvoy said ahead of the Australian Tourism Directions Conference in Canberra.

"For many young people, the working holiday maker visa program provides the economic means to fund travel plans, and this will be the inspiration behind our future new campaign."

Nearly 1.6 million visitors aged between 15 and 29 visited Australia in the 12 months to June 2012.

New research into how global consumers view Australia and the triggers for motivating them to come here are to be revealed at the conference.

The research, commissioned by Tourism Australia and carried out by BDA Marketing Planning in 11 key international markets, identified Australia's best assets as its coastal, aquatic and wildlife experience.

Better marketing for Australia's quality food and wine offerings was needed, it said.

Mr McEvoy said the research helped identify Australia's real strengths and fine-tune its overseas promotion.

The findings suggest a lot is being done right when it comes to prioritising resources and marketing activities.

"It's encouraging, for example, that the highest levels of intention to visit are amongst Chinese and Indians, two of the markets we are most aggressively targeting," Mr McEvoy said.

Tourism Australia chairman Geoff Dixon said the industry was on track to achieve its 2020 goals, with a resurgence in domestic tourism and China's relentless economic.

"Tourism Australia has deliberately and significantly accelerated its strategies to pursue growth in Asia," Mr Dixon said.

While the Australian industry was fast transitioning, with international focus shifting from western to eastern markets, Tourism Australia was committed to keeping a balanced approach to global marketing.

"There is also a seismic shift from marketing through traditional mediums to digital and social media platforms," Mr Dixon said.

"It is my view that our industry's ability to capitalise on this shift will be vital to our future success."

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