Alleged king hit attacker refused bail

A SYDNEY teenager is likely to be left with brain damage after allegedly being punched to the ground on New Year's Eve by a man claiming to be a mixed martial artist, a court has heard.

Daniel Christie, 18, is in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital after he was punched in the face in Kings Cross during New Year's Eve celebrations.

The court heard Mr Christie will likely suffer from a considerable brain injury after being punched by his alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, while shielding two other alleged victims.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Lisa McEvoy said McNeil, who has a history of violence, was celebrating in the city from 9am on Tuesday and had drunk around eight beers and one glass of wine.

"At the end of his time in town, there's a man on the floor with a fractured skull and suspected brain injury and other people with cut lips," she said.

Sgt McEvoy said the police facts in the case were "horrific".

"This was completely unprovoked," she said.

According to facts tendered in court, McNeil had just left the Punchbowl bar in Kings Cross with his girlfriend when he got into a verbal altercation with two young men and an unidentified boy.

After allegedly telling them he was a mixed martial arts fighter, McNeil struck the boy before punching both of his friends, causing them to fall to the ground, the facts said.

As the boy ran one way, the two men ran down the street and attempted to hide behind Mr Christie, who was then allegedly targeted by McNeil.

"The victim has fallen backward and struck his head on the pavement, causing immediate life-threatening injuries," the facts said.

When Daniel Christie's brother Peter tried to intervene, McNeil then turned on him, allegedly punching him and splitting his lip.

McNeil, 25, faced Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Wednesday where he cried as he was refused bail.

He has been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm to Daniel Christie, one count of assaulting Peter Christie, and two counts of common assault.

Wearing a forensic suit, he said little during his court appearance on Wednesday.

McNeil has several convictions for violence and dishonesty, the court heard.

The court heard McNeil told police he was acting to protect his girlfriend.

His lawyer said the young men tried to sell him drugs.

McNeil was "very sad" when he heard about Mr Christie's life-threatening injuries, the court heard.

Registrar Chris Steptoe refused bail, noting the "current climate" of unprovoked assaults in Sydney.

The alleged assaults occurred on the same street on the late-night strip where teenage king hit victim Thomas Kelly was killed in 2012.

"Mr McNeil does not live in a box," Sgt McEvoy said.

"He is aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a young man, not to mention the few other young men who ended up in hospital (in similar circumstances)."

McNeil will face court again on Monday.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Violence mars Australian NYE celebrations

New Year celebrations around Australia have been marred by deaths and violence among revellers. Source: AAP

ONE man died and two others are in critical condition after violence marred New Year's Eve celebrations in Western Australia, NSW and South Australia.

While millions of people rang in 2014 without incident, there were ugly scenes in Victoria, where revellers clashed with police at an out-of-control Melbourne party.

In the most serious incident in the country, a man died after a fight at a beach party on tiny Wedge Island off the West Australian coast.

Police say the man died after being assaulted just before 1.30am on the 400-metre-long island, 160 kilometres north of Perth.

Two other people were injured, with one flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital.

In the state's southwest, a woman died after a suspected drug overdose, WA police said.

In Sydney, an estimated two million people lined Sydney Harbour to view the 12-minute midnight fireworks display, with pyrotechnic displays also going off at 9pm and 10.30pm.

But in nearby Kings Cross, 18-year-old Daniel Christie was left in critical condition after being hit in an allegedly unprovoked attack about 9pm.

He is fighting for life at St Vincent's Hospital.

His alleged attacker, Shaun McNeil, 25, was refused bail on Wednesday, with a Sydney court told Mr Christie was shielding others when he was struck.

In Adelaide, a 63-year-old man was left in critical condition after being stabbed several times.

Police charged a 55-year-old woman with attempted murder over the stabbing.

More than 100 people were arrested in Adelaide suburbs, authorities said.

More than 170 were arrested in NSW during festivities, charged with offences including assault and robbery. Ninety-seven people were charged last New Year's Eve.

NSW Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Mick Willis said more than 1000 patients were treated in the metropolitan region overnight.

"Overall the crowd was very good ... but sadly, again, through the use of alcohol and drugs we saw a number of violent clashes," he told reporters.

On the water, more than 100 New Year's Eve revellers had to be rescued from boats across Sydney, with three people taken to hospital.

Further south, at least two police officers were assaulted at a New Year's Eve party in Melbourne.

About 15,000 people attended the monster bash at Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy that forced authorities to set up a triage facility to treat about 20 revellers.

Twenty-three people were arrested in Melbourne's city centre, while at least 160 people were treated by ambulance officers in the city surrounds.

In Queensland, more than 80,000 people packed Brisbane's inner city about midnight and 44 people were arrested, down from 62 last New Year's Eve.

The Gold Coast recorded less crime, with 92 arrests compared with 121 during the previous celebrations.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man, 20, killed at WA New Year beach party

A 20-year-old man from Perth was killed in a brawl at a New Year's Eve party on a remote WA island. Source: AAP

A MURDER investigation is under way after a 20-year-old man died following a fight at a New Year's Eve beach party in Western Australia.

Police say the man from Kelmscott, in Perth's southeast, died after being assaulted on the remote Wedge Island, 160 kilometres north of Perth, shortly before 1.30am (WST) on Wednesday.

A man and a woman, both 25, were injured in the brawl.

The man was flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital with a serious arm injury, while the woman was taken by ambulance to the Joondalup Health Campus in Perth's north.

A police spokeswoman would not confirm reports the dead man was attacked with a machete.

She said reports that the fight involved hundreds of people were incorrect.

Wedge Island is 400 metres long and lies just off the coast.

WA's Major Crime Squad is investigating the man's death.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

GP fee would be a mistake: Greens

The Green says the government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform. Source: AAP

THE government can reduce health expenditure by rectifying "piecemeal" reform and investing in treating more people in the community, the Greens say.

The party was responding to a proposal received by the National Commission of Audit for a co-payment scheme for GP consultations.

Acting Greens leader Richard Di Natale, who will chair a senate committee established to report on the commission of audit, said for the government to "balance the books" on the back of the health care of ordinary Australians would be a "big mistake".

"Of course there are some efficiencies to be gained in health care but putting a barrier in front of people to access a doctor is not the way to achieve it," Senator Di Natale said on Wednesday.

Senator Di Natale said instead of a co-charge to see a doctor, the commission of audit should look at the health system more broadly.

"Why not look at those areas in health care we might be funding that are not being funded on the basis of good evidence," he said.

"We treat people in hospitals, often the worst places for somebody who's sick who doesn't need to be there, when we could be treating them in the community.

"We could be investing in the greater use of antibiotics, for example, in the community; greater supports for people in the community so that they're not in hospitals being exposed to the risk of infection."

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

US town evacuated after train derails

A small town in the US is being evacuated after a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded. Source: AAP

AUTHORITIES have urged residents to evacuate a town in North Dakota after a 1.6-kilometre train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded.

The Cass County sheriff's office said on Monday night it was "strongly recommending" that the 2,400 residents of Casselton and anyone living 8km to the south and east evacuate.

The sheriff's office said the National Weather Service was forecasting a shift in the weather that would push down a plume of smoke from the train wreck, which could increase the risk to health.

The BNSF Railway train left the tracks about 2:30pm on Monday, and as many as 10 cars caught fire. No one was hurt.

Authorities said a second train carrying grain had been involved in the incident. BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth said the train carrying grain derailed first, then knocked several cars of the oil train off adjoining tracks.

Ryan Toop, who lives near the accident scene, said he heard explosions and drove as close as about two city blocks to the fire.

"I rolled down the window, and you could literally keep your hands warm," Toop said.

Another witness, Hannah Linnard, 13, said: "I looked out the window and all of a sudden the train car tipped over and the whole thing was engulfed in flames and it just exploded.

"The oil car tipped over on to the grain car."

The railway tracks pass through the middle of Casselton, and Cass County Sheriff's Sergeant Tara Morris said it was "a blessing it didn't happen within the city".

The train had more than 100 cars, and about 80 of them have been moved away from the site.

Morris said it could take up to 12 hours before authorities could get close to the fire.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Qld police use Eve for G20 practice

Police in Brisbane will use the New Year's Eve celebration to prepare for November's G20 summit. Source: AAP

QUEENSLAND police say they will use New Year's Eve to prepare for when Brisbane hosts the G20 in 2014.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating says up to 2700 officers will be on duty statewide on Tuesday night.

He says more than 200,000 people are expected to welcome in 2014 in the centre of Brisbane alone, plus tens of thousands more in other cities and towns.

Around 80,000 of those are expected in the South Bank cultural quarter, which will host the world leaders' summit in November.

"We can build on the experiences we have had for many years with these types of events in the city," Mr Keating told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's a good lesson for any event in the future in the South Bank area and that includes the G20."

Mr Keating said the large police contingent will be keeping a close eye on everything from anti-social behaviour to drink driving.

Alcohol bans are in place in areas including the South Bank.

Up to 600 officers will be on duty in Brisbane and a similar number on the Gold Coast.

"I've never met anybody who enjoyed waking up in the watchhouse on New Year's Day - it's not a really nice way to start your new year," Mr Keating said.

"For that matter you don't want to end up in a hospital waiting room or an emergency centre."

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Measles linked to Sydney dance event

Dancers who attended a recent Sydney competition have been told to look out for measles symptoms. Source: AAP

DANCERS who participated in a Sydney competition recently have been warned to be on the lookout for measles symptoms.

NSW Health issued a health alert after being made aware of three measles cases in people who probably contracted the infection at the World Supremacy Battleground hip hop competition.

The competition was held at Sydney Olympic Park on December 7 and 8.

The first case came to NSW Health's attention on December 27, with a competitor from Adelaide coming down with measles.

On Monday night, further cases were reported by a New Zealand patient and a Sydney resident.

NSW Health communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard advised anyone who attended the dance event to be alert for measles symptoms.

"Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing," Dr Sheppeard said in a statement.

"Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears."

The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms can be up to 18 days.

NSW Health believes that there may be other cases in the community now or secondary cases could be developing.

Anyone with measles symptoms is advised to contact their local public health unit or phone ahead to a GP to ensure that the waiting area is not shared with others.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wet 'n' Wild postpones Sydney NYE event

Sydney's Wet 'n' Wild has postponed a New Year's Eve party just hours before it was due to start. Source: AAP

ABOUT 10,000 people are believed to be missing out on a New Year's Eve party in Sydney as it has been postponed just hours before it was due to start.

Tickets for the event at the newly-opened Wet 'n' Wild theme park cost between $110 and $200 and it will now take place on Australia Day.

NSW Fair Trading says it expects the event promoter to provide a refund to people who cannot attend the postponed event in January.

According to a statement on the Wet 'n' Wild website, One Cube Entertainment, a promotions company organising the event, made the decision to postpone the NYE Festival due to a major technical production issue.

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and are currently working on something even better for Australia Day," a One Cube Entertainment spokesperson said in the statement.

An artist manager told AAP One Cube Entertainment had attributed the cancellation to Wet 'n' Wild expressing occupational health and safety concerns.

The manager, who spoke on the basis of anonymity, said contractually his artist was still entitled to a full fee.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said under Australian consumer law, a remedy was available if a consumer did not get the service they paid a supplier for.

"You can seek to have refund provided," he told AAP.

Mr Stowe said some ticket holders could not or did not want to attend the postponed event on Australia Day.

"We are expecting the promoters will provide refunds to the consumers who cannot attend," he said."

People who paid for tickets on credit cards will be able to apply for a charge back from their credit institution, Mr Stowe added.

A father called Mick told Macquarie Radio his daughters had been trying to contact Wet 'n' Wild since finding out about the event postponement on Facebook.

"We have been trying to contact Wet 'n' Wild this morning and get a number for this promoter because obviously the kids want a refund but no luck so far," he said.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kids to benefit from big federal programs

Kids with bad teeth are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of two major federal programs. Source: AAP

KIDS with bad teeth are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of two major federal government programs focused on children starting in the new year.

A new schools funding system begins in 2014 and will pump hundreds of millions into schools and their more than three million students around the country.

The federal government has pledged an extra $2.8 billion in total over the next four years, although the individual state's allocations are still to be finalised.

From January 1, a $4.1 billion dental benefits scheme aims to improve the oral health of children aged two to 18 years and adults on low incomes. The scheme is to run for six years.

Parents will be able to access Medicare payments capped at $1000 over two years for a wider range of specific services, from basic dental check-ups and cleaning through to emergency care.

Previously, eligible persons could only get money back from the government to help pay for a single dental check-up each year.

The new package will cover 3.4 million children and one million adults.

Federal parliamentarians will face a new crackdown on expenses rorting when a new system comes into force after a number were this year forced to pay back travel expenses.

From January 1, MPs and senators required to repay claims found to be ineligible will be hit with a "significant financial penalty" worth 25 per cent of their claim.

Repeat offenders and their offices will receive mandatory training on expenses rules.

In the workplace, victims of office bullying will be able to take their cases to the Fair Work Commission, which can hold mediations and has new powers to make orders to prevent bullying.

But it won't have the power to order compensation.

Some 2000 of Tasmania's unemployed are set to benefit from the federal coalition government's Apple Isle jobs program, after it was brought forward by six months to Wednesday.

Businesses in Tasmania, which suffers from high unemployment and little economic growth, will be in line for one-off payments of $3250 if they hire a job seeker for at least six months full-time work.

As well, there's also potential for lower grocery prices from January 1, after retailing giants Coles and Woolworths agreed to stop funding fuel discounts through their supermarkets divisions.

Future fuel discounts will be covered by their fuel retailing businesses, after an agreement was reached this year with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

There would have been more federal changes from January 1, but these have been held up in the Senate where the legislation is still being examined.

These include plans to halt tax benefits for families whose teenaged children have finished school, tighten pension eligibility criteria for Australians living overseas and replace student tertiary "start-up" scholarships with loans.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Motorcyclist critical after head-on smash

A MOTORCYCLIST is fighting for his life in hospital after he collided head-on with a cattle truck near Wagga Wagga.

Police said the collision occurred on the Sturt Highway about 8.5 kilometres west of Wagga, about 10.40am (AEDT) Monday.

The rider, a 66-year-old man, was taken to Wagga Base Hospital with life threatening injuries.

The 28-year-old driver of the semi-trailer was taken to the same hospital for blood and urine testing.

The highway was closed for over six hours, but has now reopened.

16.57 | 0 komentar | Read More