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Dozens of parties for 12/12/12 kids

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 13 Desember 2012 | 00.04

Twelve on 12/12/12 ... Happy birthday, kids. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THESE 12 youngsters are turning 12 today which is, of course, 12/12/12. And most of them expect to blow out the candles on their birthday cakes at 12.12pm.

For Lucy Roberts, her birth was yet another 12, with mum Wendy in labour for 12 hours.

"I'm hoping that seeing as I'm 12 on the 12-12-2012 that I might be lucky enough to get 12 presents," Lucy said.

Kings Langley twins Christian and Daniel Marman are on to that trick, too. Mum Elaine said the pair "are using the occasion to leverage better presents".

Northern beaches tweens Jaime Sinclair, Sophie Thomas, Claudia Bowden and Riley Wilson, who will all attend Barrenjoey High School together next year, share their birthday today.

WHERE WILL YOU BE AT 12.12PM ON 12.12.12? SEND US YOUR PICS

It's been a long time coming for Claudia, who worked out she would turn 12 on 12/12/12 when she was nine.

"It's not going to happen for another 100 years so it's pretty special," Claudia said. "All my friends are talking about how lucky I am, saying they wish their birthday was on a special day as well.

"I'm hoping that I will have something good happen."

Claudia, Jaime and Sophie all met at dance class and "just clicked", before discovering they share their birthday.

A record 123 couples are also registered to marry today at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages - more than on January 1, 2001 and 08/08/08.


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$5000 ride gives cabbie fare of his life

Taxi driver Mike Caldwell had a fare from Townsville to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. Picture: Evan Morgan Source: Townsville Bulletin

A TOWNSVILLE taxi driver accepted the fare of a lifetime after taking a half-naked passenger 1500km home to Tennant Creek.

The man in his 20s, who wore nothing more than a pair of silken boxer shorts and thongs for most of the 17-hour trip, hailed a cab outside Tom's Tavern on Nathan St on Thursday about noon.

He was carrying a small bag filled with money, and a carton of beer.

Veteran taxi driver Mike Caldwell, 68, who has been driving taxis in Townsville for 30 years, was more than happy to oblige after his passenger paid $4900 cash up front for the drive home to the Northern Territory.

It is understood the man, who is a well-known local, then withdrew more cash to take another taxi adventure.

Mr Caldwell described his passenger as a talkative bloke, who may have suffered a long-term mental disability.

"He did all the talking," he said.

Taxi driver Mike Caldwell had a fare from Townsville to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. Picture: Evan Morgan

"He told me he was once in a bad accident on a motorbike.

"Occasionally we would stop periodically for him to have a smoke."

After taking a pit stop for breakfast at the Three Ways Roadhouse in Tennant Creek, the pair encountered a pair of police officers who recognised Mr Caldwell's passenger instantly.

They told him a friend had feared he had gone missing, and was relieved he had returned home.

"I have no idea what he was doing in Townsville, but everyone seems happy he's back home in Tennant Creek," Mr Caldwell said.

Mr Caldwell, who will receive 50 per cent of the fare, described the trip as a unique experience, being able to drive across the Outback and be paid for it.

Read the full story from the Townsville Bulletin.


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Major blitz over bikie shooting

An officer from the Public Order and Riot Squad at the raids. Picture: Police Media Source: Supplied

Police at the scene. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Police executed search warrants at six properties in Merrylands, Punchbowl and Bankstown this morning. Six men have been arrested. Picture: Police Media Source: Supplied

A MASSIVE police operation is underway across Sydney's south west with five men arrested over a drive-by shooting and series of other crimes.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that police have moved in on the bikie-gang members, over a July 21 shooting at Old Guildford.

Tactical police are currently raiding homes at Bankstown, Punchbowl and Merrylands.

That shooting saw a number shots fired between three men in Broughton Street with a woman suffering minor injuries after a stray bullet entered her home.

Strike Force Sevenoak from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Force has been investigating the incident, but has been working with several other strike forces, including from the Homicide Squad.

The Daily Telegraph will release further details on those matters later today.

Two men have already been charged in relation to the Old Guildford shooting, which is believed to have been the catalyst for several other crimes across Sydney.

One of those men, Bilal Haouchar, 26, was extradited from Queensland on Wednesday, along with the national president of the Comanchero, Mark Buddle.


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Fury over cigarette box stickers

OPPOSITION SUPPORT: An example of the proposed plain-packaged cigarettes. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE federal government has launched an investigation into a company selling stickers for smokers to cover the controversial plain packaging for cigarette packets.

Gold Coast company Box Wraps will today unveil a range of stickers specifically designed to cover the olive green plain packaging that cigarettes must by law carry, The Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Marketed under the slogan "It's your box, it's your choice"- the stickers seek to challenge the plain packaging laws which came into affect  on December 1 after big tobacco companies lost a High court challenge.

Anthony Do Rozario, General Manager of Box Wrap, at the launch of his new product to decorate cigarette packets. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Under the new laws, the packages must all be olive green and carry gruesome health warnings without individual trademarks. 

Box Wraps said a packet of their stickers will be sold online for $8.75 and there are plans to have them for sale in shops by early next year. The company's website is due to launch today.

The stickers would offer an alternative to smokers who hate the plain packs, General Manager Anthony Do Rozario said. The company has a worldwide patent for the unique product.

"There are 30 different designs in four sizes which will suit male or females, young, old and middle-aged smokers - everything from fishing bums to Aussie flags," the 32-year-old said.

"People feel they have had their choice ripped off them. We are just a sticker company that is no different from a cigarette case," he said.

The stickers are easy to put up said Mr Do Razario who claimed his own mother could put one on a packet in a matter of seconds.

While the product may be welcome news to smokers, the government is not happy and has launched an urgent investigation into the stickers.

"The Department of Health and Ageing will be immediately investigating this product to evaluate its status," a Health Department spokesman said.

Read more about this unusual product at The Gold Coast Bulletin.


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PSO attacker 'known to police'

The frightening and brutal hammer assault on a Protective Services officer on the steps of State Parliament

UPDATE: THE wife of a Protective Services Officer attacked in the line of duty has described him as a great husband and father.

Karen Vongvixay told the Herald Sun her husband James was a hard worker who was proud of his work.

The 50-year-old remains in the Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a fractured skull when he was bashed by a hammer-wielding man.

The attacker, a 30-year-old from Chadstone, then used the gun he stole from Mr Vongvixay to take his own life.

Mrs Vongvixay said she had not yet been able to speak to her husband.

PSO James Vongvixay was attacked by a man before his gun was stolen. Picture: Channel 7

She said he was a helpful person who had been a factory worker before becoming a PSO seven years ago.

"I'm really proud of him. I'm really lucky to have him," Mrs Vongvixay said.

The outpouring of sympathy from Victorians had clearly moved Mrs Vongvixay.

"Thank-you to everyone who has supported my family," she said.

Meanwhile, a woman who raised concerns to a protective Services Officer about a man's behaviour at Parliament House six hours before the same man assaulted Mr Vongvixay made contact with police this afternoon.

"Homicide Squad detectives are continuing to appeal for any other witnesses as the investigation surrounding the assault and the subsequent death of the man in East Melbourne continues," Victoria Police spokeswoman Kelly Yates said.

The woman was urged to come forward after alerting a PSO at Parliament House to a man's "peculiar" behaviour.

"We believe she holds some information that could explain something of why this happened," Det-Insp John Potter said earlier.

The attacker's body near Fitzroy Gardens last night. The Herald Sun has obscured the man's image.

A PSO spoke to the man, who was known to police. The man left the scene.

But he returned six hours later, asking a different PSO for directions before bashing him over the head with a hammer and stealing his semi-automatic .40 calibre gun.

He was found dead six minutes later in Jolimont Reserve - 400m from the MCG.

Det-Insp Potter urged anyone with information to come forward.

Pedestrian Matthew Aldous has captured the chaotic scene of the Fitzroy Gardens shooting in Melbourne

"We are making an appeal today for information that could help us in tracing some background or cause factors to this incident," he said.

"We know at about 2.30pm yesterday afternoon the same man, who is now deceased, was spoken to by a different PSO at Parliament House.

"This man had by all accounts been behaving in a peculiar manner in the vicinity of Parliament House and a woman who saw this behaviour has approached the PSO and told him of her concerns about this man.

"The man has been spoken to by the PSO and since left the area but returned later that night about 8.30pm and assaulted a different PSO on duty."

Police describe how a man attacked a Protective Services Officer with a hammer, took his gun and was later found dead

The attacker was described as being 185 to 187cm tall, with a solid build and olive skin.

He was wearing dark grey cargo shorts, a light grey coloured T-shirt, black Adidas runners, a light brown peak cap and was carrying a light blue backpack.

Det-Insp Potter added the man approached Mr Vongvixay last night and asked for directions before attacking him with a hammer, taking his gun and fleeing the scene on foot through Treasury Gardens.

Police do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident.

A fireman sprays down the grass this morning at the park where the shooting occurred. Picture: Jason Edwards

Jolimont Terrace residents said they were shocked to learn of the incident opposite their homes.

Scott Osboldstone said he heard a "pop" sound about 8.40pm before the screeching of police cars minutes later.

"I thought it might have been a cracker at first," he said today.

"It's a bit of a shock. I didn't expect it around this part of the world."

An officer from the PSO has been assaulted and his alleged assailant is believed to have shot himself.

Neighbour Will Kelly said he also heard what he thought was a fire cracker before dozens of heavily-armed police flooded the street.

James, aged in his 40s, underwent a "successful" operation overnight in the Royal Melbourne Hospital for a fractured skull. He remains in a serious but stable condition and is expected to speak with family members today.

Detectives may release a picture of the offender "if there is a need" in a bid to locate witnesses who may have seen the man earlier in the day.

The 2.30pm confrontation was captured on CCTV but the incident at 8.30pm was not, police said.

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said police, who returned to the scene about 8.50am to comb the area for clues, are now examining what could have prompted such a violent incident.

"Whether it was planned, or an opportunistic attack, that's a matter for the investigators at this point in time as they try to piece together what's happened prior to the incident, at the time of the incident and then post."

Last night as Parliament sat, the Speaker advised all members to stay indoors until the armed assailant could be found as the search went on.

Dozens of people were enjoying the warm evening outside restaurants and bars along Spring and Bourke streets when the attack happened.

Police speak to a PSO officer outside the Royal Melbourne Hospital where a PSO officer is in emergency after he was attacked with a hammer outside Parliament house. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A witness ran up the steps of Parliament House to alert security.

A political staffer said there were disorganised scenes.

"I came across it about 5-10 minutes later," the staffer said.

"The PSO was lying on the ramp to the right-hand side of the building being treated by paramedics.

The Police Association says the attack on a Protective Services Officer might have been prevented if he was not working alone

"At first we were told that they didn't believe the man had taken his weapon, but they weren't sure because they hadn't moved him (the PSO) at that stage.

"MPs and staffers were milling around out on the steps.

"Then they realised that he probably had taken the weapon."

Earlier this morning, Victorian Police Association Secretary Greg Davies said there was "something wrong with the system" when a person could assault a PSO before committing suicide.

A hammer lies next to the steps of State Parliament with a PSO officer's hat in the background. Picture: Jon Hargest

"How can we have people with such serious mental health issues go and arm themselves with a claw hammer to get a firearm?" he said.


HOW IT UNFOLDED

-  8.30pm man attacks PSO with hammer outside Parliament House at the corner of Spring and Bourke streets, grabs gun
-
Parliament sitting, with MPs and Premier Ted Baillieu inside
- Witnesses describe chaotic scenes
-
Claims front doors of Parliament are not locked down
- Soon after, shot heard around Fitzroy Gardens, 400m from the MCG
-
Man's body found in gardens
- The injured officer, in his 40s, taken to hospital
-
Mr Baillieu gives press conference, saying he's 'distressed, concerned, grateful it didn't have wider consequences'
- Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp says at scene no review of PSOs carrying weapons until investigation is over

- Officer has successful operation to treat serious head injuries
- The attacker - believed to have "mental-health issues" is known to police


Armed PSOs patrol Parliament House, which they have guarded for 25 years, the justice and court complexes around the city, and major office buildings including 1 Treasury Place, where the Premier works, and 121 Exhibition St, which houses a number of government departments and ministerial offices.

Police inspect the scene of the shooting. Picture: Derrick Den Hollander

The Baillieu Government has expanded the role of PSOs in recent months, deploying them at train stations across Melbourne.

The move has been controversial, with concerns that station PSOs, who are armed, were being inadequately trained.

Additional reporting: James Campbell

Anyone with personal problems can call Lifeline on 131 114 

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp and Premier Ted Baillieu outside Parliament last night. Picture: Jon Hargest

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

A man has shot himself with a PSO officers's stolen gun. Picture: Jon Hargest


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Peter Slipper: 'I feel vindicated'

James Ashby says he will appeal a federal court ruling today throwing out sexual harassment proceedings against Peter Slipper.

The sexual harassment case against Peter Slipper has been dismissed by a Federal Court judge.

James Ashby. Picture: Sam Mooy Source: The Australian

Former Speaker Peter Slipper. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: The Australian

FORMER parliamentary speaker Peter Slipper says he feels "vindicated'' after court proceedings against him were thrown out.

Federal Court judge Steven Rares on Wednesday dismissed a sexual harassment case brought against Mr Slipper by staffer James Hunter Ashby, saying the purpose of the case had been to "pursue a political attack against Mr Slipper''.

But Mr Ashby's lawyer has rejected a judge's criticism that politics played a part in the conduct of his client's sexual harassment case against Mr Slipper.

Mr Slipper said in a statement he was pleased with the judge's decision.

"I have always maintained that Mr Ashby's application was about manipulating the justice system to inflict damage on my reputation and political career and to advance the interests of the Liberal National Party," Mr Slipper said.


"In his judgment, Justice Rares said he had reached the firm conclusion that Mr Ashby's predominant purpose for bringing these proceedings was to pursue a political attack against me.

"I feel vindicated by today's judgment."

Mr Slipper said the past eight months had been "extremely traumatic" for his family.

"I thank my wife, family, staff and friends for their support during this extraordinarily difficult time," he said.

Judge Steven Rares this morning ordered that the application contains "scandalous" allegations and to continue the case would be "manifestly unfair" to Mr Slipper and that some of the claims were done to "injure" his reputation.

The former Speaker wanted the case, which was launched by Mr Ashby on April 20 this year, thrown out of court, saying it was an abuse of process designed to be "prejudicial" and "damaging" to him.

Mr Slipper did not have a lawyer represent him at a two-day hearing of the case in October but didn't come to the Federal Court in Sydney to hear this morning's decision.

It followed an unsuccessful day of mediation talks between the pair.

Mr Ashby has been ordered to pay Mr Slipper's legal cost.

Mr Slipper told the court in October that his former media advisor was trying to destroy his marriage and and bring down the government.

"I've been incredibly distraught as a result of these proceedings," Mr Slipper said.

Mr Ashby, who arrived at court today flanked by his spokesman Anthony McClellan, settled his case against the Commonwealth in September for $50,000 and a promise to introduce an education program for staff about sexual harassment in the workplace.

Hundreds of texts messages between the pair were tendered to the court earlier this year and Mr Ashby said he feared assassination after making the claims against his former boss public.

"Mr Ashby's predominant purpose in bringing the proceedings was not a proper one," Judge Rares said.

"A party cannot be allowed to misuse the court's process by including scandalous and damaging allegations.

"I have reached the conclusion that Mr Ashby's predominant purpose for bringing these proceedings was to pursue a political attack against Mr Slipper."

"I am satisfied that these proceedings are an abuse of the process of the court," Judge Rares said.

"The originating application was used by Mr Ashby for the predominant purpose of causing significant public, reputational and political damage to Mr Slipper."

Mr Ashby said outside court that he was "extremely disappointed" with the decision and that the legal process had been "harrowing."

He indicated he would "examine" the judgment with his lawyers ahead of an appeal.


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Hey Dad! star 'stressed and worried'

Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes is due to arrive in Sydney on Thursday following his extradition from the UK.

  • Robert Hughes extradited to Australia
  • NSW police accompanied him as he flew out from London
  • Faces 11 allegations of sexual and indecent assault of children

FORMER Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes was "pretty stressed and worried'' as he boarded a plane to Australia to face multiple sex assault allegations against children, his lawyer says.

Flanked by three NSW Police officers, Mr Hughes walked through Heathrow Airport's terminal 2 wearing a shirt and dark jacket with a newspaper tucked under his arm.

He boarded the 9.30pm Qantas flight to Sydney. He declined to speak to waiting media.

Lawyer Greg Walsh, acting for Hughes, said his client and his family have found themselves in a very stressful situation.

"When I spoke to him before he got on board, I think he was pretty stressed, pretty worried, as any human being would be in that situation,'' he told reporters in Sydney today.

Robert Hughes prepares to board a flight as he is extradited to Australia from the UK at Heathrow Airport, London. Picture: AAP

"But he's doing the right thing coming back to Australia and facing these allegations through the courts.''

Mr Walsh said he didn't know when he could meet with Hughes because his attempts to make arrangements with police and the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions had so far been unsuccessful.

"The police are not responding to a series of letters - I've sent a number of letters - and there's been no acknowledgment,'' he said.

"They won't indicate where I can have the opportunity of meeting my client and speaking with him, conferring with him as you'd expect.''

Actor Robert Hughes, star of the classic Aussie sitcom 'Hey Dad!', has been extradited from London to face child sex abuse charges. Picture: Channel 9

In a brief extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court last month, Mr Hughes said he was keen to sort out the charges against him and clear his name.

However it took several weeks before the paper work was signed for his formal extradition.

The 63-year-old former actor was arrested at his luxury home in central London in August for 11 alleged sexual and indecent assaults of five children in Australia between 1985 and 1990.

Hughes had been placed on strict bail conditions and provided more than $88,000 in surety. The conditions were that he not be left alone with anyone under the age of 16, stay away from airports, ports or London's Eurostar train station, abide by an 8pm-6am indoors curfew and wear an electronic tag.

He spent one night at Wandsworth Prison while he arranged the surety but then remained in his apartment for the next three months as the legal wheels turned.

Mr Walsh said Hughes emphatically denied all the allegations and would vigorously defend them.

"I would hope that the judicial system would be able to deal with the matter in due course without, hopefully, the intense media scrutiny that the case has attracted,'' he said.
 


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Assange confirms bid for Senate

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says he will run for the Senate but has yet to choose which state he will seek a seat in. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

PLANS to set up an Australian WikiLeaks party are "significantly advanced", the whistleblowing organisation's most visible member says.

Julian Assange has told Fairfax Media he intends to run for a Senate seat in the next election, adding that "a number of very worthy people admired by the Australian public" have expressed interest in standing for a yet-to-be registered Australian WikiLeaks party.

A draft party constitution has been prepared and is being subjected to legal review, Fairfax reports.

Party registration with the Australian Electoral Commission would require confirmation of at least 500 members listed on the electoral roll.

Mr Assange told Fairfax he had not yet registered to vote but believes he will be able to register in either NSW or Victoria as an overseas voter.

A "strategic decision" would determine which state he would run to represent, he said.

The Australian citizen has been holed up in Ecuador's London embassy since taking refuge there in June in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questioning over rape allegations.

Mr Assange is concerned that if he goes to Sweden, authorities will allow him to be extradited to the United States to be questioned over WikiLeaks' release of thousands of US diplomatic cables.

Assange plays down his hacking cough

Meanwhile, during an interview with ABC Radio last night, Mr Assange responded to reports he had a chronic lung condition.

"I wouldn't necessarily go that far but the circumstances are difficult," he said.

Before his time in the embassy he previously lived under house arrest at a supporter's Norfolk mansion.

A husky-voiced Mr Assange said he had "been in worse positions".

"Solitary confinement was worse," he said.

"Two years under house arrest, going to the police station every day at a certain time with a manacle around my leg was worse."

Ecuador's envoy to Britain, Ambassador Ana Alban, reportedly told journalists in Quito last month Mr Assange had "a chronic lung condition that could worsen at any time".

Mr Assange said in an interview published September 30 that his health was "slowly deteriorating" in the embassy, adding that he had "a racking cough".

A message was later posted on the South American country's London embassy website clarifying that Mr Assange did "not have an urgent medical condition".

He said the Australian government had offered to assist in case of medical emergency, including monetary assistance, but then scaled down the assistance they were willing to give.

"The Australian government gave a list of numbers for doctors in the London area, that was all that they would do," he told ABC Radio.

Mr Assange is concerned that if he goes to Sweden, authorities will allow him to be extradited to the United States to be questioned over WikiLeaks' release of thousands of US diplomatic cables.

He was granted asylum in Ecuador in August but Britain has refused to grant him safe passage out of the country, leaving Mr Assange stuck in the embassy.


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