Swan on the nose with Press Gallery

Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan is not that popular with journalists in Canberra, one of whom described him as the least effective Treasurer in recent memory. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited

HE may have been declared World's Best Treasurer but Wayne Swan has earned a fiscal raspberry as the Federal Parliament's Worst Performer, according to the Canberra Press Gallery.

At the end of one of the most vicious and scandalous political years in memory, Julia Gillard's "mysoginist" jibe against Tony Abbott has been ranked the Most Memorable Moment - narrowly ahead of Kevin Rudd's ill-fated leadership challenge in February.

And Bill Shorten's impressive Yes Minister impersonation - "I haven't seen what she (Julia Gillard) has said, but let me say I support what it is that she said" - earns him a gong as Gaffe of the Year, according to a survey of 20 Press Gallery journalists.

Eight of the pundits nominated the smooth introduction of the carbon tax as the year's Best Achievement - edging out Ms Gillard's survival as Prime Minister, which secured six votes.

And the Low Point of the year, which will rank as one of the most divisive since the Whitlam dismissal, was divided between the scandal surrounding Peter Slipper and parliament's failure to reach an agreement on asylum seeker policy despite a marathon debate in June.

The survey - which was done on the condition of anonymity and included representatives from newspapers, radio, television and online - was conducted before Mr Swan's announcement on Thursday that the Government had shelved its promised Budget surplus.

While most of those surveyed predicted the Budget would stay in the red, seven Gallery reporters did predict he would deliver a surplus next May.

The Prime Minister - who is taking a well-earned rest before returning to the fray in 2013 for the election battle - earned the title of Best Parliamentary Performer, with six votes.

But the Climate Change Minister and part-time comedian Greg Combet came a close second, with five votes, followed by Anthony Albanese, the Government's head-kicking Transport Minister, with four.

Mr Combet's Melbourne Cup-inspired form guide of the Opposition frontbench, delivered in parliament in early November, was one of the few memorable moments in this forgettable year, according to several journalists.

While Australia's economy is the envy of most countries, the Treasurer's performance as a parliamentary debater earned few brownie points.

"Wayne Swan is the least effective Treasurer in Parliament in recent memory," said one senior Gallery figure.

"The Labor backbench seems to be more interested in discussing the weather than listening to (Mr Swan) whenever he's on his feet," said another.

But while her Deputy struggles to cut-through, the PM is considered the best in the business. Her October speech to parliament - during which she lashed out at Tony Abbott over his alleged sexist attitude - received worldwide attention.

It was considered the Most Memorable Moment in 2012 by seven survey respondents - while the extraordinary photos of Ms Gillard being chaperoned to safety by burly security during the so-called Australia Day riots also rated a mention.

Mr Rudd's shock resignation while he was in Washington - triggering an avalanche of criticism from his own colleagues - received six votes in the Most Memorable stakes.

"It was shock and awe," said one journalist, of Mr Rudd's failed push to regain the Prime Ministership.<

The Low Point of a year which many experienced commentators are calling the dirtiest in memory was the former Speaker Peter Slipper - and his infamous text messages to his one-time adviser-turned-accuser James Ashby.

Mr Slipper received five votes, narrowly ahead of the failed debate over asylum seeker policy in June - a debate that took place in the parliament in the shadow of yet another disaster on the high seas involving people seeking a better life free from persecution.

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My fiance was killed by cocktail

Swedish national Johan Lundin, 28, died when he drank a cocktail laced with methanol while on holiday with his fiance Micahaela Pechac, 29, in Indonesia. Ms Pechac is warning Australians about the dangers. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIAN backpackers have been warned about the danger of drinking cocktails while on holiday in Indonesia after a tourist died.

Swede Johan Lundin, 28, was poisoned by a mojito laced with methanol in June this year. His fiancee, Michaela Pechac, watched in horror as he died.

"In the middle of the night everything came to an end," she told The NT News.

"I was running around the streets trying to find any help I could get but no one could be found."

"No one wants to see someone you love die in front of your eyes.

"We were getting married next year and had our whole future in front of us and now it's all gone."

Mr Lundin died in June, 30 hours after drinking cocktails at a bar  on Gili Trawangan island near Bali.

Ms Pechac, 29, said her fiance's autopsy report showed he had died of methanol poisoning.

She said it was impossible for tourists to know whether bartenders were using imported spirits or homemade moonshine to make the cocktails.

Ms Pechac last month started a Facebook page called, "A drink to die from".

Her warning comes as a teenage girl on a Schoolies trip to Bali was blinded by a spiked cocktail.

Read more at The NT News

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Shoppers forgo sleep for sales

More than 1 million bargain hunters are expected to take part in today's Boxing Day sales.

Keen shoppers wait for the doors to open this morning. Picture: Sarah Matray Source: Herald Sun

AS keen shoppers rush early to malls and stalls, retailers are expecting overall Boxing Day spending to top $1.8 billion.

The Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) predicts Victorians will spend the most at $588 million, closely followed by NSW on $511 million.

Victoria has unrestricted trading across the state, but NSW has public holiday shopping restrictions outside tourist precincts.

Big spending is expected to continue across Australia on Thursday, with a predicted spend of $1.2 billion.

Spending for the first week of the sales is predicted to top $5.7 billion, with NSW spending the most at $1.7 billion followed by Victoria on $1.4 billion.

Clothing, homewares and electronics will be the most popular items bought, the ANRA says.

Thousands of shoppers have flocked to shopping centres around the country for one of the busiest trading days of the year.

Even Tiger Airways got into the act, promoting a two way round trip for travel in February or March 2013 on any of six routes on sale, with the return airfare from just $1. Normal Tiger RAW fare conditions apply for the outbound sector.

Hardcore bargain hunters were gathering outside David Jones in Bourke St, Melbourne as early as 6.30pm yesterday.

"We just didn't want to miss out," Yi Wen Tham, 21, said.

"I've only slept for about five minutes … we came so early because we were too late last year."

Wet weather in Brisbane has driven crowds to the city's major shopping centres this morning, and Adelaide shoppers have embraced Boxing Day sales, with Rundle Mall stores open on the public holiday for the first time.

Sydney shoppers were just as keen to get a bargain, also lining up last night to get their pick of the bargains when doors opened this morning.

David Jones chief executive officer Paul Zahra said the crowds outside his flagship store in Sydney this morning was a "great start'' to the annual sales.

"I was actually quite surprised there were hundreds of people queing up since last night,'' he said.

"They were all excited as they all raced in because of course the earlier you get here, the greater selection of merchandise you can buy.

"The sale is the best we have in the entire year, certainly for the season. It's not be missed.''

Mr Zahra said there were a lot of men in the crowds this year - something that he had never seen before during the Boxing Day rush.

The shoppers are set to save up to $600 million across Australia today as stores offer deeper discounts to attract consumers who have been buying from abroad or not at all.

Retailing experts said stores needed to work harder to get customers to open their wallets due to a combination of low consumer confidence, increasing preference for buying from overseas via the internet -- and because "25 per cent off" sales had lost their pulling power.

"At that level, I don't think you will get people rushing to clear your shelves," said Deakin University's Dr Steve Ogden-Barnes, who specialises in sales promotion management and shopping trends.

"The real bargain hunting has now moved beyond that. You really have to push out some big headline numbers.
"I think people are wanting to see 45 to 50 per cent off to get motivated."

Dr Ogden-Barnes said that on this day more than any other, shoppers target items at the biggest markdowns first.
"As a second glance they'll have a look at the 25 per cent off goods," he said.

While most shoppers would hit the traditional stores, Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said online would play a bigger role than in any other year.

Dick Smith stores launched their sales online at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

Myer's Boxing Day campaign started at 9pm on Christmas Eve and David Jones's sales started online yesterday.

Mr Zimmerman said retailers expected a slight increase in spending this week after a tough 2012 for consumers and retailers.

"Consumers have had a tough 2012 with the introduction of the carbon tax, a soaring cost of living and mortgage stress from high interest rates."

Discounting would be deeper than last year, an industry source said.

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Wrong man drugged at mental hospital

HORRIBLE MISTAKE: A man has been illegally detained and drugged at Graylands Hospital. Source: PerthNow

A MAN was given anti-psychotic drugs after he was mistaken for an escaped Graylands patient, having been picked up by police and detained at the hospital.

The shocking incident occurred earlier this month and authorities did not realise they had made the blunder until after they gave the innocent man a cocktail of powerful drugs.

The man fell ill after being given the drugs and needed hospital treatment.

An investigation into the incident is now underway.

The series of events started after a patient at the hospital left without permission in mid December.

Police were called to help locate the patient and several days later, a man with the same description of the escapee was brought back to Graylands by police where he was wrongly identified by hospital staff as the runaway patient.

The man was subsequently given a batch of antipsychotic drugs but it caused an adverse reaction and he was treated overnight in hospital.

The "real" missing patient eventually returned to Graylands.

Health authorities and WA Police have both launched their own investigations into the incident.

WA Mental Health Minister Helen Morton has reportedly apologised for the blunder and labelled the incident a "dreadful mistake."
 

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Rogue P-plate driver comes forward

A driver activates cruise control, while his feet hang out the window as he travels on the Eastern Freeway. Source: Supplied

A ROGUE P-plater photographed hurtling down a Melbourne freeway with both legs outside the driver's window has come forward to police.

Police said the man had "made contact" with them, but they would not elaborate on whether he would be charged with an offence.

More inquiries would be made this evening, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

Police had earlier appealed for the driver to turn himself in, saying they had identified the owner of the vehicle, and that they would be coming for him if he did not front a police station today.

Shocked motorists snapped the "ludicrous" Volkswagen golf driver literally putting his feet up as he cruised down the Eastern Freeway, near the Blackburn Rd off-ramp about 7am on Christmas Eve.

Inspector Bernie Rankin from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said the incident was "no joke".

"This young man, his behaviour without any further examination is conduct endangering life - that's a very serious criminal charge," Insp Rankin said.

"You might be thinking it's funny or it might be a joke, or you might be showing off in front of your friends, but at the end of the day if you hurt someone or if someone sees what you're doing...so just remember that."

Motorist Stewart (last name withheld), from Heathmont, photographed the driver speeding down the Eastern Fwy on Monday morning.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought: if his right foot's outside the window, how is he accelerating? Then I saw both feet out of the window and I thought: bloody hell," Stewart said.

He said he saw the driver travelling over the speed limit before he pulled up next to the packed car, when the driver pulled his feet in just before the EastLink tunnel.

"He looked very young. This guy's a risk to my safety. I don't want to share the road with people like that," Stewart said.

Insp Rankin had earlier said: "The local police will be following this matter up, and what I'd encourage the driver of that vehicle to do - his vehicle and his images have already been on the media - I'd suggest he walk into his local police station and speak to us, because we're certainly in the situation where we know who is in charge of the vehicle.

"We'll certainly be knocking on his door if he doesn't present himself today at some stage."

The legless driver isn't the only example of reckless behaviour on Victoria's roads this holiday season.

A woman was photographed reading a book while doing 100km/h on the Monash Freeway last week.

"This is a constant in your face reminder that there are people out there who just don't listen and don't really obey the law," Insp Rankin said.

"We're really horrified with the toll: five dead since Sunday. All of them…avoidable collisions and, really, if we don't slow down and start doing the right thing this is going to be a horrendous Christmas-New Year period for us.

"We've got to really get the message out there people have just got to slow down."

Insp Rankin said the man's "selfish behaviour" meant he would be unable to control his vehicle in case of an emergency.

"Assuming he was on cruise control - which is an assumption - he couldn't brake, he couldn't stop the vehicle; he'd even have difficulty turning the wheel, so absolutely ludicrous behaviour."

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Aussies survive deadly plane crash

BURMA is probing the cause of a Christmas Day air crash that has killed two people and injured 11.

FIVE Australian tourists were lucky to escape with their lives after a Burmese passenger jet crash-landed on a road in central Burma, killing two people and injuring 11.

Black smoke was seen billowing from the charred wreckage of the Air Bagan aircraft, which came down near Heho airport - the gateway to the popular tourist destination of Inle Lake.

The fatalities were Burmese citizens: a tour guide and a man riding a motorcycle on the road where the plane came down.

Pictures: Australians hurt in Burma plane crash

Anna Bartsch and Stuart Benson at Adelaide Airport before they leave for Myanmar.

Five Australians were onboard, including Adelaide locals Anna Bartsch, 31 and Stuart Benson 32, both of whom escaped with only minor injuries.

Survivor tells of fiery crash

Bartsch said in an email to adelaidenow that they had lost all their belongings but were incredibly fortunate.

An Air Bagan flight has crash landed on a Burma road, killing two and injuring at least eight.

"The wings were ripped off by trees before we crashed which, strangely enough, was a positive because it meant that there were no major explosions as the main fuel reserves were gone," she wrote.

"We were stuck inside for a bit while the plane was burning though, at which point things were not looking great.

"Our injuries are minor sprains, back/neck soreness and a bit of smoke inhalation only so we feel very lucky!''

Smoke billows fromthe blazing wreck of an Air Bagan passenger plane which crashed on a road in Burma. Five Australians were among the survivors. Three people died.

Benson, 32, said from a hotel in the capital Yangon: "I don't think I've ever really had an experience when I've thought 'this is about it.."

"We were stuck inside for a bit while the plane was burning, at which point things were not looking great." he told The Mercury.

The other three Australian tourists were from Queensland.

Adelaide woman Anna Bartsch was onboard the Air Bagan plane which crash-landed on a road in eastern Burma. She  and friend Stuart Benson escaped with only minor injuries.

One of the five received medical treatment for a minor back injury.

Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Yangon have been providing assistance to the Australians. 

Air Bagan airline said tonight that the plane's black box has been found and would be sent to Singapore for analysis.

Smoke billows fromthe blazing wreck of an Air Bagan passenger plane which crashed on a road in Burma. Five Australians were among the survivors. Three people died.

Fifty-one foreigners were among the 63 passengers on board the flight from Yangon via Mandalay, according to the information ministry. 

Four foreigners - two Americans, a Briton and a Korean - were also among the injured, according to reports.

Air Bagan described the incident as an "emergency landing."

Anna Bartsch (white singlet, centre)a nd other foreigners who survived a crash landing of an Air Bagan passenger plane in Heho, leave Witoriya hospital where they have gone through medical check up. The Air Bagan flight packed with Christmas tourists crash-landed on a road in central Burma, killing three. AP /Khin Maung Win

Authorities gave a different and more dramatic account, saying the pilot mistook the road for a runway due to bad weather.

"While descending, the plane mistakenly landed ... due to fog beside the runway," state television reported. It said the aircraft made a hard landing on a road and then came to a stop in a nearby rice paddy field.

"The rear end of the plane broke and caught fire," state TV said, carrying a statement posted on Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut's Facebook page. Rescuers brought the fire under control about 45 minutes later, he said.

Two people were killed and 11 injured in the crash-landing, officials said.

Witnesses said smoke filled the plane when it hit the ground and was still rising from the plane's badly charred wreckage hours later.

Airport officials in Heho said that injured passengers were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Taunggyi for treatment.

Air Bagan is one of five private airlines that fly domestic routes in Burma. It is a unit of Htoo Trading Company, which is owned by business tycoon Tay Za.
 

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Murder charge over Yarraville fatal fire

A forensic police officer at a crime scene in Yarraville where two people were found dead at a house fire on Saturday. Picture: Jason Sammon Source: Herald Sun

HOMICIDE detectives have charged a man with two counts of murder following an investigation into the deaths of an elderly couple in a house fire in Melbourne's west at the weekend.

Ross Konidaris, 24, was also charged with one court of arson - just hours after he was arrested by police this afternoon.

Police found the bodies of the husband and wife in their fire-gutted home on Morven St in Yarraville early on Saturday morning.

Fire officers were called to a blaze at the home - where the couple had lived for decades - at 3am.

Police said on the weekend they believed the couple may have been murdered before the blaze.

Mr Konidaris, from Sunshine West, appeared before a Bail Justice this evening and was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

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Holiday road toll climbs to 17

Emergency workers respond to a fatal crash in Marsden Park, Sydney, New South Wales on Christmas Day. The national holiday road toll stands at 17. Source: The Daily Telegraph

AUSTRALIA'S national road toll stands at 17 after a man was killed in a single car accident in Western Australia.

Perth Now reports the man died when his car flipped on the North West Coastal Highway at Yannarie, which is about 1200km north of Perth and 200km southeast of Exmouth, about noon (WST) on Wednesday.

Police in WA say the first death on the state's roads happened on Christmas Eve, when a young man died after his car hit a power pole at Esperance, about 720 kilometres southeast of Perth.

Meanwhile, NSW police are pleading for drivers to slow down after accidents on the state's roads left five people dead in one day, including an elderly Fijian couple, who died when their can left the Hume Highway near Holbrook in the state's south and rolled.

Queensland has recorded its first holiday road death after a sedan veered off the Bruce Highway on the state's east coast and rolled early on Wednesday.

The losses take the toll for NSW to six, five people have died on Victoria's roads, and two in South Australia.

One person each has been killed on roads in Queensland and Tasmania.

The Northern Territory and ACT remain fatality-free.

* The national road toll period runs from 0001 December 23, 2012, until 2359 January 3, 2013, local times, in line with the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board.

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