Federal govt suspends Ranger operations

THE federal government has told Energy Resources of Australia that it cannot resume processing uranium until regulators are happy with the integrity of the Ranger mine site at Kakadu following a massive leak of toxic slurry.

The Australian government suspended processing operations at the Northern Territory mine after a leach tank with a 1.5 million litre capacity burst and spilled out a radioactive and acidic slurry at 1am on Saturday.

ERA have not yet said how full the tank was at the time.

"I have told ERA that they cannot resume processing at Ranger until the company demonstrates the integrity of the processing plant to the satisfaction of the regulatory authorities," Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said in a statement on Monday.

He said ERA must also prove that Kakadu National Park and human safety are protected.

"I understand the concerns of traditional owners and local residents and can assure them that governments will continue to ensure the mine operates to the highest standards."

About 30 people attended a snap rally at ERA's Darwin office on Monday, where the director of the Environment Centre NT accused ERA of covering up environmental damage caused by the spill.

"I think they're lying," Dr Stuart Blanch told AAP.

"It's clear there's contaminated water from the burst tank on soil."

The Environment Centre NT said the slurry spill overflowed levee banks designed to contain it and got into the mine's stormwater drain system, and want independent scientists to be permitted on-site to determine the damage.

The supervising scientist, who is the federal regulator of the site, has already begun a full investigation.

"Preliminary reports indicate that the spill was contained within the plant area and that there is no threat to the surrounding environment or human health outside the immediate area," Mr Macfarlane said.

But the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation (GAC), which represents the Mirarr traditional owners of the land, says it has no faith in regulators.

Supervising Scientist Richard McAllister was a water and environmental engineer for an ERA subsidiary for several years during the 1990s.

"There's historically been a revolving door of personnel between the Office of the Supervising Scientist (OSS), the NT government and the company, and it speaks to the need for a clear independent assessment," GAC CEO Justin O'Brien said.

He called Ranger "a hillbilly operation, run by a hillbilly miner with hillbilly regulators".

Bryan Wilkins, regional organiser of the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, said that during the tank's construction and installation in 1993 or 1994 the welding was not properly tested.

"I know it wasn't - I was there," he told AAP.

Mr Macfarlane has established a taskforce consisting of the NT Department of Mines and Energy, NT WorkSafe, the Supervising Scientist and the Department of Industry to manage the response to the leak.

There have been more than 200 safety breaches and incidents over the past 30 years at the site, according to the Environment Centre NT, and this is the third incident in the past month alone.

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US approves new hepatitis C drug

HEALTH officials in the United States have approved a highly anticipated hepatitis C drug that is expected to offer a faster, more palatable cure to millions of people infected with the liver-destroying virus.

The Food and Drug Administration says it has approved the medication Sovaldi from Gilead Sciences Inc in combination with older drugs to treat the main forms of hepatitis C that affect US patients.

Current treatments for hepatitis C can take up to a year of therapy and involve weekly injections of a drug that causes flu-like side effects, an approach only cures about three out of four patients.

Sovaldi is a daily pill that in clinical trials cured roughly 90 percent of patients in just 12 weeks, when combined with the older drug cocktail.

Between 3 million and 4 million Americans are estimated to carry the blood-borne virus, though most do not even know they are infected. Others have tested positive but are waiting for more effective treatments to become available. Hepatitis C symptoms may not appear until two or three decades after infection, though the virus can cause liver failure, cirrhosis and cancer if left untreated.

Dr Donald Jensen of the University of Chicago said he's optimistic that new drugs like Sovaldi will increase treatment of the disease, which is blamed for 15,000 US deaths per year.

"I'm hoping that these new, less toxic therapies will drive more people to get tested and more primary care physicians to test their patients, knowing that the therapy is going to be more effective and easier," said Jensen, who directs the university's center for liver diseases.

Gilead said it will price the drug at $US84,000 ($A92,282.34) for one 12-week supply. Patients with a less common subtype of the disease may need to take the drug for 24 weeks, raising the cost to $168,000 for one course of treatment. Drugs already on the market run between $25,000 and $50,000 for a course of treatment.

The approval comes as the US government urges all baby boomers to get tested for the disease. People born between 1945 and 1965 are five times more likely than other age groups to have hepatitis C, with many having contracted the virus by sharing needles or having sex with an infected person in their youth.

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CCTV plan for Sydney gets go-ahead

A PROPOSAL for extra CCTV cameras in Sydney's busiest nightspots is set to become a reality after the City of Sydney Council endorsed the plan.

At a council meeting on Monday night, council unanimously carried the proposal to install the 10 new cameras in Surry Hills, the CBD and Kings Cross.

The push for extra security follows the one-punch death of teenager Thomas Kelly.

Mr Kelly died after he was king hit in Kings Cross in July 2012.

After the CCTV plan gained the rubber stamp, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said in a statement the new cameras would bring the total number in council's city network to 97.

"Our entire CCTV network is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we work closely with the NSW Police Force, regularly providing video footage and intelligence," she said.

Recently Ms Moore took a swipe at the state government, which she claimed was responsible for law and order.

She said council had stepped in to fund CCTV because no one else had.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said on Sunday co-operation between the state and city council had seen a reduction in violence in Kings Cross following Mr Kelly's death.

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Search on for new PNG Defence chief

PAPUA New Guinea's Defence Force Chief will have his term temporarily extended until a successor is found, prime minister Peter O'Neill says.

Brigadier General Francis Agwi made history during PNG's 2011-2012 political impasse by frequently denying high level political requests to declare martial law.

He refused to involve the armed forces in the 10 month, high-stakes battle between the Supreme court-backed former prime minister Sir Michael Somare and parliament-backed Mr O'Neill.

He was also briefly taken captive by a group of soldiers during a military mutiny sparked by supporters of Sir Michael.

"Agwi has shown professionalism and dedication in his years of service to the military and country," Mr O'Neill said in a statement on Monday.

"He led by example in maintaining stability in the force and I would like to thank him on behalf of the people of PNG for a job well done."

General Agwi's term as commander would have expired at midnight on Monday.

Mr O'Neill said the process to select the general's successor is underway.

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Do right thing on carbon, MRRT: Abbott

Scrap carbon and mining taxes, Prime minister Tony Abbott (pic) tells Senators in a video message. Source: AAP

TONY Abbott has called on the Senate to do the "right thing" and vote to scrap the carbon and mining taxes, saying December is the time to deal with "unfinished business".

The prime minister and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will on Monday fly to South Africa for Nelson Mandela's memorial service, missing most of the final week of parliament.

But with the government staring at defeat on its push to scrap both the mining and carbon taxes, Mr Abbott posted a message on YouTube directed at Australian voters and the Senate.

"December is the time to deal with unfinished business - and to clear the decks for a good start to the new year," he said in Sunday night's message.

"At the election, you voted to scrap Labor's carbon and mining taxes.

"So, I call on the Senate to do the right thing this week and to scrap Labor's bad taxes to give our economy the clean start it needs for 2014."

Mr Abbott said axing the carbon tax would save Australian families hundreds of dollars a year, while scrapping the mining tax would boost job security.

In spite of the appeal, the coalition is likely to suffer mixed fortunes on its legislation this week.

The Greens have thrown the coalition a lifeline on the debt ceiling, with changes expected to be passed by the Senate on Monday.

However, it's almost certain the stoush over the carbon and mining taxes won't be resolved, regardless of Mr Abbott's threats to keep parliament open until Christmas.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said Labor's opposition to the tax repeals was not motivated by revenge.

Labor was not being obstructive because of Mr Abbott's own obstructionism in opposition, he said.

"We'll call it as we see it, and we'll call it on its merits," Mr Bowen told Sky News on Sunday.

"It's not revenge. It's staying true to our values.

"When people vote Labor, they expect us to stay true to our values, and we'll be doing that."

Environment Minister Greg Hunt demanded Labor back the government's carbon tax legislation, saying: "We don't want delays. We don't want excuses".

"This is the week when the carbon tax should be voted upon and should be repealed," he told reporters in Melbourne.

Question Time this week is expected to be dominated by debate over the future of the car industry and Qantas, as well as the secrecy behind the government's immigration policies.

But the prime minister and opposition leader won't be taking part until Thursday, when they are expected to return to the hurly burly of Canberra.

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Second motorcyclist killed in Tasmania

A MOTORCYCLIST has died after colliding with a utility in country Tasmania, in the second motorcycle fatal in the state in 24 hours.

Police say the Honda 600cc bike collided with the ute at Beaconsfield in the state's north, at about 11am (AEDT) on Sunday.

The 47-year-old motorcycle rider from Beaconsfield died at the scene.

Speed is believed to be a factor, police say.

The 77-year-old ute driver was badly shaken, but did not suffer any injuries.

The death comes after a 58-year-old motorcyclist, who had earlier been taking part in the annual toy run, died in a single vehicle crash at Claremont in Hobart's north on Saturday afternoon.

A 17-year-old female passenger was also injured in the crash and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

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John Legend lands his first Aussie No.1

John Legend's All of Me has become his first No.1 single in Australia, topping the ARIA chart. Source: AAP

JOHN Legend's All of Me has become his first No.1 single in Australia, topping the ARIA chart.

Legend is in the country touring as support act to Alicia Keys, and while the racy video clip featuring his wife, model Chrissy Teigen, must have given the song its initial viewings, the track has sold enough to be certified Gold in Australia after four weeks in the charts.

The Monster for Eminem and Rihanna is back down to No.2 after three weeks at the top, while Magic! climb four places to a new peak of No.3 with Rude.

Spending their eighth week within the Top 10, Pitbull and Ke$ha climb back up to their former high of No.4 for a third non-consecutive week, while Avicii is back down two places to No.5 with Hey Brother, and Guy Sebastian holds at No.6 with Like a Drum.

Katy Perry is down three places to No.7 with Roar, Bastille and Justice Crew hold at No.8 and No.9 respectively, while the new No.1 album holder in the country, Taylor Henderson, is back up a couple of places to No.10 with Borrow My Heart.

Over on the ARIA albums chart, the self-titled debut set for Taylor Henderson is the new No.1 this week.

After a single week at the top, One Direction drop down a place to No.2 with Midnight Memories, while climbing up a place to a new peak of No.3 is Willy Nilly - The 12th Man's Biggest Hits for comedian Billy Birmingham, which pushes Prism for Katy Perry down to No.4.

Human Nature climb a place to a new peak of No.5 with The Christmas Album, while Michael Buble returns to the Top 10 with 2011/2012 No.1 album Christmas, rising five places to No.6 this week, accumulating its 16th week within the Top 10.

The self-titled album for Dami Im drops four places to No.7 and Eminem is down three to No.8 with The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

Robbie Williams drops a couple of places to No.9 with Swings Both Ways and Lorde is down two spots to No.10 with Pure Heroine.

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NSW police say hoon driver laws working

Hoon driver laws introduced in NSW have made the roads safer, police say, with over 120 cars seized. Source: AAP

NSW'S car hoon laws have resulted in more than 120 cars being impounded and 500 sets of number plates being seized, the state government says.

Under the laws introduced in July last year, police can immediately seize an offending driver's vehicle and have it towed to a holding yard where it will be impounded for three months.

Officers also have the power to immediately remove an offending driver's number plates at the roadside - and they won't be returned for three months.

Under the laws, if people drive their car after their number plates have been seized their vehicle can be permanently confiscated.

Premier Barry O'Farrell said on Sunday that car hoon selfishly put others' lives at risk when they drive recklessly.

"The message to lunatics who treat our streets like racetracks is simple - if you want to keep your car, slow down and obey the law."

The laws apply to car hoons involved in police pursuits, caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h or committing hoon type offences such as an aggravated burn-outs or participating in street races.

Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn said the laws were having a big impact, and since coming into force 123 vehicles have been impounded and 513 sets of number plates seized.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command chief, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said hoon drivers would not only lose their car or number plates for three months, they could also have their licence immediately suspended, lose points from their licences and receive heavy fines.

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First day of gay marriage in ACT

A WA Labor MP has married his male partner as ACT marriage laws came into effect at midnight. Source: AAP

THE bride wore white and so did her wife.

Corinna Peck and Stacey Cowen were among some 15 couples to tie the knot in Canberra on Saturday as Australia's first same-sex marriage law came into play.

But while the outfits were bright and newlywed smiles beamed across the nation's capital, a dark cloud was hanging over the future validity of the same-sex unions.

On Thursday the High Court will rule if the ACT's Marriage Equality Act, passed in October, is at odds with Commonwealth law and therefore invalid.

The threat didn't dampen the enthusiasm of groom Ivan Hinton who vowed to make partner Chris Teoh his "lawful wedded husband".

"There should never be any rule in this country that disrespects the commitment that two people like us wish to express to one another," Mr Hinton told reporters after his wedding.

Ceremonies kicked off at 12.01am (AEDT) with two couples rushing to become Australia's first legally-recognised "husbands".

Australian Marriage Equality director Rodney Croome attended Mr Hinton's marriage and afterwards highlighted the historic nature of Saturday's events.

"In years to come people will look back and think 'what an historic moment that was,' but also, 'why did it take us so long to recognise the wonderful ordinariness of the love, (the) commitment of same-sex relationships?'," Mr Croome said.

The Australian Christian Lobby has criticised the ACT law, claiming it damages the institution of marriage.

"We hear about equal love all the time but we don't hear about what it means for children," Lobby spokesman Lyle Shelton told Sky News.

"Same-sex marriage means same-sex parenting, that means necessarily taking a child from its biological mother or father and giving it to someone else."

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher defended the law and sent a message to critics: "the world will go on".

"This doesn't effect those people who don't agree with it. It doesn't change their life, it doesn't change their relationships. This is all about making sure everyone is treated equally before the law," she said.

Ms Gallagher insisted that the community response, including from religious groups, had been overwhelmingly supportive.

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young congratulated the newlywed couples and thanked them for being part of an important first step to change.

"This is how laws change, it is how communities evolve, it is how social change happens, when individuals put themselves forward," she said.

"I think it's time that politics put aside the views of others and allowed couples right across this country to have their love celebrated and accepted and recognised."

The ACT government said 47 couple have registered an intent to marry under the new law.

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Choppers, 16 crews battle fire

Sinead Duncan took photographs of the fires from Buderim and closer to Kawana Way. "We're just trying to get out of Brightwater at the moment .... it's getting bad." Reader picture: Sinead Duncan Source: Supplied

FIRE crews are asking Sunshine Coast residents to avoid an out-of-control grass fire near Mountain Creek.

3.50pm: Sinead Duncan took photographs of the fires from Buderim and closer to Kawana Way.

"We're just trying to get out of Brightwater at the moment because we've been visiting friends," she said.

"The smoke is still thick and billowing, but thankfully the wind is keeping most of the smoke away from the houses."

The grass fire near Mountain Creek. Picture: QPS/Sara Matulich

GALLERY: Reader pictures of Sunshine Coast blaze

Jackie Clark said aerial support was trying to control the situation.

"It's getting bad," she said.

Resident Nadine Brooks took these pictures from her vantage point at nearby Grand Pde, Parrearra. Reader picture: Nadine Brooks

"Police, fire and ambulance have set up on Kawana Way."
 

GALLERY: Reader pictures of Sunshine Coast blaze

Resident Nadine Brooks took these pictures from her vantage point at nearby Grand Pde, Parrearra. Reader picture: Nadine Brooks

3.30pm:  Resident Nadine Brooks said there seemed to be two or three different blazes from her vantage point at nearby Grand Pde, Parrearra.

"It looks like they are moving north," she said.

"We are lucky the smoke is not coming (our) way."

3pm: TRAFFIC is heavy along the Sunshine Coast Motorway thanks to a large grass fire.

Motorists are reporting congestion from the Dixon Rd turnoff to Mountain Creek.

Kawana Way has been closed as 16 fire crews battle the blaze.

GALLERY: Reader pictures of Sunshine Coast blaze

1pm: The fire at Kawana Way, near Brightwater Estate, was first reported at 11.20am.

Helicopters are currently water bombing the fire between Brightwater Estate and the Chancellor Park area, and 16 fire crews are battling the blaze.

No property is under threat, but a large smoke haze has settled over Mountain Creek and neighbouring suburbs.

Residents have been advised to close windows and doors, with reports of ash the size of fingernails falling on the area.

Motorists using Kawana Way have been urged to drive to conditions.

GALLERY: Reader pictures of Sunshine Coast blaze

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