Islands want UN to see climate as threat

THE Marshall Islands and other low-lying island nations have appealed to the UN Security Council to recognise climate change as an international security threat that jeopardises their very survival.

Tony deBrum, a minister and assistant to the Marshall Islands president, says the island nations are facing opposition from Security Council permanent members Russia and China and a group of more than 130 mainly developing nations, which argue that the UN's most powerful body is the wrong place to address climate change.

DeBrum told reporters on Friday after a closed Security Council meeting on the "Security Dimensions of Climate Change," organised by Britain and Pakistan, that he hopes more council members will be convinced that "this is a security issue and not just an economic-political-social issue."

The low-lying islands, which are already being inundated with sea water, want the council to bring its "political weight" to the issue and help their countries survive, for example, by harnessing new technologies and ensuring alternative energy supplies, he said.

DeBrum said it was "ironic, bizarre perhaps" that 35 years after he went before the Security Council to seek the independence of the Marshall Islands he was back again "to appeal for the survival of my country."

He said climate change has already taken a toll on the Marshall Islands. Wells have filled with salt water, making drinking water scarce and in turn affecting food production. One small island in a lagoon is now under water, and coastlines are being eroded.

The impact of climate change is also causing migration to other islands, as well as to Australia and the United States, he said.

In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Rachel Kyte, the World Bank's vice-president for sustainable development, said that since the council's last discussion of climate change "the sense of immediacy and urgency has increased."

"The question is: Do you want to keep on catalogueuing all of the terrible things that are going to happen if we continue on a business as usual track, or are we actually going to start doing anything about it?" she said.

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German financier named new Vatican banker

Pope Benedict XVI has named a German financier (pic) as head of the Vatican's embattled bank. Source: AAP

POPE Benedict XVI has named a German financier as head of its scandal-hit bank to help overhaul the Vatican, but the news was overshadowed by his ties to a warship builder.

Ernst von Freyberg replaces Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, who was unceremoniously sacked by the board on May 24 last year -- a day after the Pope's butler was arrested for leaking hundreds of confidential papers from the Vatican.

Vatican watchers say Gotti Tedeschi's ousting could have been linked to his drive to make the Institute for Religious Works cooperate with an Italian money laundering investigation but the circumstances remain highly mysterious.

The appointment was made just days before the Pope resigns, but the Vatican found itself under fire from journalists questioning the choice of a man who has business ties with a military shipbuilder.

Von Freyberg is chairman of the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg in northern Germany which makes yachts and provides technical services and is a spin-off of a historic company that made warships and planes in Nazi Germany.

He is also a minority shareholder in the company.

While the Vatican initially said Blohm + Voss was no longer involved in making warships, it later corrected the statement, saying that the company was "part of a consortium that is building four frigates for the German navy".

It added that once the warships were completed the company would be "100 per cent non-military".

Aristocrat Von Freyberg is also treasurer of the German association of the Order of the Knights of Malta, a lay religious order founded during the Crusades in the Middle Ages that has around 13,500 members around the world.

The Order last week celebrated its 900th anniversary in the Vatican.

From 1991 until 2012 von Freyberg was chief executive of Frankfurt-based Daiwa Corporate Advisory, a consultancy mainly for financial institutions.

"This decision is the result of extensive evaluation and a series of interviews that the Commission of Cardinals has conducted, with the constant support of the Supervisory Board," the Vatican said in a statement.

"The Holy Father has closely followed the entire selection."

The Vatican is trying to implement reforms to get it on an international "white list" of countries that comply with legislation to combat money laundering after a critical report from the Council of Europe last year.

"There is a clear willingness to proceed. The new president is absolutely aware of this," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters.

The report from Moneyval, the Council of Europe's anti-money laundering body in Strasbourg, gave the Vatican unsatisfactory ratings in seven out of 16 "key recommendations" and satisfactory ratings in nine.

The report noted that the foundations for a more transparent financial system in the tiny Vatican state "are now formally in place," adding: "The Holy See has come a long way in a very short period of time.

"But further important issues still need addressing in order to demonstrate that a fully effective regime has been instituted in practice."

In particular, the report "strongly recommended" that the Vatican's bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), "is independently supervised."

The bank is currently supervised by a committee of cardinals.

The Vatican has since appointed Swiss lawyer Rene Bruelhart, who helped Liechtenstein shed its shady image, to be executive director at its Financial Information Authority (FIA), which Moneyval had criticised for light oversight.

The FIA is still headed up by Italian cardinal Attilio Nicora.

The Vatican bank has a troubled history including in the 1970s and 1980s with the collapse of the Banco Ambrosiano, where the Holy See was the main shareholder, which was accused of laundering money for the Sicilian mafia.

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Vic Labor MP quits politics

FORMER senior Victorian Labor minister Tim Holding, once touted as a possible future leader, has quit politics, forcing a by-election.

Mr Holding announced his retirement from politics on Friday, becoming the third former Labor minister to retire in just over a year.

Mr Holding said it was time to opt out of public life.

"I've been in public life almost continuously for more than 20 years, I've given everything that I have to serving in public life," he told reporters.

"I believe the time has now come for me to do other things with my life."

The decision will force a by-election in Lyndhurst, southeast of Melbourne, held by Labor by a margin of 13.9 per cent.

A date has not yet been set.

The Liberal Party has not determined whether it will run a candidate but it is unlikely given the margin and the fact it has not run candidates in recent by-elections following the retirements of former Labor ministers Bronwyn Pike and Rob Hulls last year.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said a special meeting of caucus would be held on Monday to decide Mr Holding's replacement.

"Tim has made a significant contribution to Victoria and has much to be proud of," he said in a statement.

Mr Holding, who was the shadow treasurer and opposition industry spokesman, served for eight years as a minister in several portfolios under the Bracks and Brumby Labor government.

He said he had not sought nor been offered another job and ruled out a tilt at federal politics.

He said he believed Labor's prospects at the next election are very good.

"I had to make a decision now as to whether I had it in me to serve as a minister for the full four years in the next term of government, when I believe Labor will be returned to office," he said.

"If I didn't have it in me, then I had to say so now, it was the fair thing to do for my colleagues to give them a chance to select the team they'll take to the next election."

Mr Holding said he was proud to count among his legacy water-saving projects including the $5.7 billion desalination plant, the cost of which has been heavily criticised by the Coalition government.

"We will use the water from this plant in years ahead and when we do, this water will save the people of Melbourne," he said.

Premier Ted Baillieu pointed to the desalination plan as Mr Holding's "great contribution" to Victoria.

Liberal Party state director Damien Mantach said the party will announce soon its intentions regarding the by-election.

"This is the eighth Labor-initiated state by-election in six years. The Liberal Party has not initiated one by-election during this time."

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Sims takes $430m in writedowns

THE world's largest recycler Sims Metal Management has revealed more than $430 million in writedowns, setting itself up to post a massive first half loss.

The writedowns are connected to possible fraud and the poor performance of the business.

Sims will write down the value of inventory at its British operations by $78 million after uncovering a possible case of fraud last month.

It will also take a $354 million hit from impairment charges related to its UK and US operations.

Of the $432 million in writedowns, $307 will cut into the company's first half earnings results due on Friday, February 22.

The balance would be restated in its previous accounts.

The company's shares slumped by 11 cents, or one per cent, to $10.85, and its current market capitalisation of $2.2 billion compares to $7.69 billion when the global financial crisis hit in 2008.

Sims posted a loss of $556.5 million for the first half of 2011-12, due to $614 million in writedowns on badly performing acquisitions made before the GFC.

It told investors in December that continued challenging market conditions in metals and electronics recycling had forced it to reduce its forecast to between $87 million and $97 million in underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA).

Sims last month warned of possible fraud at two of its British electronics recycling sites and launched an immediate investigation.

A $63 million impairment charge will be taken in relation to UK Metals and UK Sims Recycling Solutions, with the other $291 million for North America Metals.

The investigation, which is mostly complete, has uncovered allegations of potential fraud at its operations in the Welsh town of Newport and Long Marston, near Birmingham in England.

Those claims are being further investigated.

Sims had initially expected to write down the value of its inventory at Newport and Long Marston by $60 million, but the figure has blown out to $78 million following the investigations.

The two UK businesses at the heart of Sims' investigation recycle electronics, including computers and televisions.

Sims' biggest recycling business is in metals.

Sims said investigations by a special internal committee had revealed that inventory had been overstated at Newport and Long Marston.

"The committee's investigations have revealed that the primary root cause for breakdowns in the company's control environment can be attributed to the failure to adequately supervise operations (including inventories), responsibly safeguard assets, and failure to maintain adequate controls over financial reporting relating to inventory," Sims said in a statement.

Internal audits and additional control measures put in place by the company also failed to identify problems including excessive levels of inventories and IT issues.

Sims said it would immediately introduce its standard set of controls over inventories and integrate IT systems to improve its operations in the UK.

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PNG court denies order for refugee ban

LAWYERS challenging the constitutionality of the Australian-run detention centre on Manus Island have been granted permission by a Papua New Guinea court to visit the facility and interview detainees.

PNG's court of human rights, a division of the National Court, on Thursday rejected a bid to impose an interim injunction on further transfers until the centre's constitutionality can be determined.

But in refusing part of PNG opposition leader Belden Namah's application for the interim injunction, Justice David Canning said he would allow lawyers to visit and interview detainees.

"I will order the administrator of the centre ... to grant forthwith reasonable access by the plaintiff's lawyers to the centre so that the asylum seekers may, if they wish, communicate with those lawyers, and be provided with legal advice and assistance by them and give instructions to them," Justice Canning said.

"(Asylum seekers) have not been given adequate opportunity to give instructions to a lawyer of their choice in the place in which they are detained."

Outside court, Mr Namah's lawyer, Loani Henao, said he expected to travel to Manus on the weekend to interview the detainees.

He earlier said he had received instructions from Mr Namah to ask asylum seekers to join the case, but had been prevented by PNG's department of immigration from visiting the centre.

"We will definitely be going to see the asylum seekers on Manus Island," Mr Henao told reporters.

"I think the judge has stated that there are serious constitutional issues to be dealt with.

"We have asked the judge to refer matters to the Supreme Court. We are quite confident that at the end, we will get there."

There are currently 274 asylum seekers - including 34 children - on Manus, a small Pacific island located just two degrees from the equator.

The United Nations High Commission on Refugees and Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young have blasted conditions at the site, with the UNHCR labelling it unlawful.

The temporary facility located on Lombrum Naval Base is made up mostly of tents and the PNG government says it is trying to set up a more permanent facility closer to Manus's capital, Lorengau.

In rejecting the interim injunction application, Justice Canning said there were serious questions to be answered, but that he did not think the interests of justice would be served in granting the order.

"I do not see any injustice to the plaintiff of any other persons including the asylum seekers presently on Lombrum or those who might imminently be transferred there," he said.

"I can by contrast see that the defendants would reasonably perceive an injustice if the court were to, without being fully satisfied that something unconstitutional or unlawful had occurred, to injunct arrangements ... entered into in good faith by two independent governments dealing with such significant regional issues."

The government of PNG has filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings, arguing the National Court does not have the authority to deal with the constitutional questions raised by the case.

The court is expected to resume again on February 20 to hear the motion to dismiss and seek further directions on future hearings.

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GPT committed to pursuing Australand deal

PROPERTY group GPT is continuing to pursue rival Australand in a bid to diversify its asset mix.

GPT made a $3 billion takeover offer for two thirds of rival Australand's businesses last December, but was rebuffed.

Unveiling GPT's full-year earnings, chief executive Michael Cameron said the company was committed to putting forward a new offer as part of a strategy to grow its logistics and business park portfolio from 12 per cent to 15 per cent of the business.

"Without Australand, we'd go about it in a more orderly way, one by one, instead of all in one go," Mr Cameron told AAP on Thursday.

"We've committed to advancing our proposal with them.

"We think we can create value for their security holders and our security holders."

Australand managing director Bob Johnston last week downplayed the prospect of a successful takeover bid, either from GPT or rival Mirvac.

GPT more than doubled its full year net profit and believes further earnings growth is on the way but at a slower pace.

Its net profit for the year to December 31 rose to $594.5 million, from $246.2 in 2011, thanks to a rise in the value of its property portfolio.

Revenue rose to $587.4 million from $573.8 million, while earnings per share (EPS) rose eight per cent.

Morningstar property analyst Tony Sherlock said GPT would be unlikely to pursue Australand at all costs, as its chief shareholder the Singapore-based Capitaland reviews its stake.

"If anything, the Australand assets are inferior to GPT," Mr Sherlock told AAP, adding GPT had Australia's best office portfolio.

This includes a premium $700 million waterfront office on Brisbane's Eagle Street, which opened in August last year.

GPT, which also owns shopping centres, forecast earnings per security growth of at least five per cent this financial year.

Mr Cameron said GPT was committed to its medium-term strategy of reducing the retail assets share of the business by value, from 56 per cent to 50 per cent, and increasing the office space proportion from 32 per cent to 35 per cent.

The 2012 result was driven by a $221.3 million increase in the value of the group's property assets, which offset a $40.4 million loss on derivatives.

GPT lifted its full year distribution to 19.3 cents per security, from 17.8 cents.

Securities in GPT closed down one cent at $3.79.

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Katter party is 'homophobic': member

A DAMAGING rift in the Katter party over its stance towards gay people is widening, with a member criticising its "homophobic image".

Terri Bell says Katter's Australian Party (KAP) should have scolded suspended member Bernard Gaynor for saying on Twitter that he wouldn't let gay teachers educate his children.

"KAP national director Aidan McLindon should have publicly denounced these offensive statements," the former state candidate said.

"However, due to the party headquarters tolerance of such views, no such press release was issued."

Ms Bell, who was endorsed by party founder Bob Katter to become the KAP national general secretary, claims if she had been nominated she would have retracted Mr Gaynor's statements.

"All I wanted was to help steer the party in a new direction and away from the homophobic image," she said.

"I have a special needs son and would have no hesitation in allowing him to be taught by a homosexual.

"In fact, if he has been, I wouldn't know because a person's sexuality is their own business."

Earlier in the week, Mr Gaynor warned that Mr Katter was at odds with party president Max Menzel and Mr McLindon on the issue, and the divisions could kill the party.

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Qld AG may fight serial rapist's release

QUEENSLAND'S Attorney-General will consider appealing the decision to release a serial rapist, who a child protection advocate says will "snap" and reoffend within a year.

Hetty Johnston says Brisbane Supreme Court Justice Debbie Mullins' decision to release Robert John Fardon trashes the notion of community safety.

"Fardon is not a changed man; he's a psychopath," the Bravehearts founder said.

"He's only ever going to be one breath away from snapping ... and will be back in jail in 12 months.

"The only way to keep the community safe from Robert John Fardon is to keep him locked up."

Fardon, who has spent almost half his life in jail for crimes against women and children, will be released from a Queensland jail on Thursday afternoon.

In 2003, the now 64-year-old became the first person detained indefinitely under Queensland's Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act.

Justice Mullins, who heard an annual review of Fardon's detention, on Wednesday ruled he should be released despite him previously breaching a supervision order.

She said any threat he posed to the community could be managed and imposed 34 conditions for his release.

They include that he be subjected to electronic monitoring, abide by a curfew, and abstain from drugs and alcohol.

He's also been banned from contacting any of his victims and having unsupervised contact with children, people with mental disabilities or those who suffer from substance abuse.

He'll be housed at the Wacol prison precinct, where many convicted sexual offenders reside.

His imminent release has concerned Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie, who indicated on Wednesday afternoon he may lodge an appeal.

However Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said the community should trust police to keep them safe.

He said police would be using sophisticated covert monitoring techniques to watch Fardon's every move.

"I'll be ensuring that we have all the resources of Corrective Services and the Queensland Police Service to ensure the safety of all Queenslanders," he added.

Sharon Tomlinson, who was 12 when she was choked and raped by Fardon in 1978, had prayed the courts would keep "see sense" and keep him behind bars this time.

"The little girl in me that was hurt by him really really believed they wouldn't let him out. But the adult in me knows the system," she told AAP.

"He's done his damage. He's had his chances. But they are giving him another one."

When she speaks of Justice Mullins, the anger erupts.

"How is she going to sleep? How is she going to feel when he breaches the conditions for his release or attacks someone. Or both. Because he will."

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Aus Post sends 1bn fewer letters than 2008

THE nation's posties will deliver a billion fewer letters this financial year than they did five years ago.

But they're handling a lot more parcels as people do more shopping online, a parliamentary hearing has been told.

Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour said on Tuesday 180 million fewer letters would be sent this financial year, that's a drop of a billion since the peak in 2008.

Mr Fahour said Australia Post had lost $190 million in its traditional mail business.

"This loss has been growing and will continue to grow as our customers shift from physical mail to digital communication," Mr Fahour told a senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Tuesday.

The government-owned enterprise had offset the fall in mail volumes with an increase in delivering parcels.

Mr Fahour said his organisation had double digit growth in delivering parcels within Australia during the festive period.

"This really reflects the ongoing and rapid rise of online shopping throughout Australia."

Australia Post had delivered 97 per cent of parcels through that peak holiday period.

"It is one of the better performance records over the years."

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Gas to Gove deal not enough, analyst says

THE benefits of an NT government proposal to shore up the Rio Tinto group's Gove alumina refinery with a gas supply deal, in a bid to save the outback town of Nhulunbuy, might not flow soon enough for the resources giant.

The NT government's offer to provide gas for the Gove refinery will probably not be enough for Rio Tinto to keep the refinery open, WA state manager of Patersons Securities, Lewis Fellowes, says.

Mr Fellowes says it will take two years before a pipeline is built and another three years before the gas conversion pays for itself, factors that will weigh on the miner's decision.

"With the outlook for the sector and the losses that continue to accumulate each month from the plant's operations, what it really just comes down to is, is Rio prepared to wear that level of losses for the next two years for a potential long-term benefit?"

"My view is they are not," Mr Fellowes said.

On Monday the Northern Territory government offered to give Rio access to 10 years' worth of natural gas to keep running the Gove refinery.

The move was conditional on the miner keeping the refinery open and could lead to gas shortages in the NT if no new supplies are found.

Analysts have estimated the Gove alumina refinery, located on the eastern tip of Arnhem Land, has been losing about $30 million each month.

This was because of the combined impact of the high cost of running the diesel-fed plant, the strong Australian dollar and low alumina prices.

A report from the Rio subsidiary that runs the plant recommended mothballing the facility, but the company indicated it would keep the plant open if it could be converted to gas.

The government is keen for the refinery to stay open because it contributes about $500 million to the NT's Gross Regional Product each year, and thousands of people in and around the outback town of Nhulunbuy rely on the plant.

Independent gas analyst Peter Strachan said the deal the Northern Territory government offered Rio Tinto on Monday was something the miner should jump at.

He said the 30 petajoules of power Rio needed annually to run its Gove refinery would be costly given diesel fuel costs about $50 per gigajoule.

Converting the plant to gas would save at least $300 million annually, Mr Strachan said.

"I think it is an attractive option for Rio Tinto to extend the life of this project and to improve the value of that asset should they choose to exit.

"If they (Rio Tinto) can get this through, they have an asset potentially worth $3 billion," Mr Strachan said.

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Hobbit documents release almost certain

The NZ government is likely to release details about the deal it struck to secure the Hobbit series. Source: AAP

THE Kiwi government is almost certain to release confidential documents about the deal it struck to ensure the Hobbit movies were made in New Zealand.

Prime Minister John Key says he isn't concerned by a warning from Warner Bros that disclosure could stop future blockbusters being produced in the country, and doesn't think there's anything in the documents that will embarrass the government or the movie studios.

Radio New Zealand applied for the documents in November 2010 under the Official Information Act but ministers refused on the grounds they were commercially sensitive.

The broadcaster appealed the decision and Ombudsman David McGee last week ruled 18 documents, including emails between Hobbit director Sir Peter Jackson and government officials, must be released.

"It's highly likely the government will be complying with the Ombudsman's ruling," Mr Key said on Monday.

"Anyone who deals with the government needs to understand we are subject to the Official Information Act."

Asked at his post-cabinet press conference about Warner Bros' warning that releasing the documents would be "a major disincentive" to future productions, Mr Key said: "I'm not concerned by that, I don't think that's likely."

Mr Key says he doesn't think there's anything "hugely sensitive" in the documents.

"Having read it all and read it all again, I don't think there's anything that's going to embarrass the government or necessarily the other parties."

The government secured the Hobbit trilogy by changing employment laws and beefing up the tax rebate sweetener for the productions.

Unions fought the law changes and the Labour Party accused the government of chequebook legislation.

Mr McGee doesn't think the documents pose serious commercial risks and has told ministers to hand them over on or before March 1.

The government could overrule him by issuing a veto which was introduced in 1987 but has never been used.

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Gotye takes three Grammys

Gotye has won the Grammys for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Source: AAP

IT was hard to tell what Wally De Backer was more excited about.

His three Grammy haul or the fact his childhood idol, Prince, presented him with the biggest prize of the night - Record of the Year.

The Melbourne musician known as Gotye climbed to the top of the musical world on Sunday when he cleaned up at the 55th Grammy Awards ceremony and joined Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, U2, Coldplay and Olivia Newton-John as a Record of the Year winner.

"I'm a little bit lost for words," De Backer said after scaling the stairs to the stage where Prince, wearing a black hoodie and holding a cane, was waiting with the Record of the Year golden gramophone trophy for the hit song, Somebody That I Used To Know.

"To receive an award from the man standing behind us here with the cane, I spent many years listening to this man's music growing up and a big reason I was inspired to make music, thank you."

Gotye beat Lonely Boy by The Black Keys, Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson, We Are Young by fun., Thinkin' 'Bout You by Frank Ocean and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift for the big prize.

Earlier, De Backer won Grammys for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Somebody That I Used To Know and Best Alternative Album for Making Mirrors.

The 32-year-old Aussie left the kings and queens of the music industry sitting in their seats as he made his way up on stage for the three awards.

The 20,000-seat Staples Center indoor stadium, where the likes of Beyonce, Jay-Z, Sting, Elton John, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban sat in the crowd applauding De Backer, is a long way from where he meticulously recorded his album, Making Mirrors, which featured the global No.1 single Somebody That I Used to Know.

"I recorded it mostly in a barn on my dad's block of land southeast of Melbourne, Australia, so I have to thank Dad and my Mum for letting me set up a lot of weird equipment in a barn near their house," De Backer said.

Somebody That I Used To Know, featuring Kiwi singer Kimbra Lee Johnson, has sold more than 13 million copies worldwide, was No.1 in 18 countries, and was the biggest selling single of 2012 in the key US market.

It sat on top of Billboard's Hot 100 in the US for eight straight weeks.

"I obviously have one major person to thank and that is Gotye, Wally De Backer, for having me be part of this incredible song and this incredible journey," Johnson, 22, from Hamilton, said.

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Perth residents endure another heat wave

PERTH is officially in a heat wave with temperatures expected to hover around 40 degrees for the next few days.

A maximum of 41 degrees was forecast for the city on Sunday, with the mercury expected to remain that high on Monday and Tuesday.

But it won't be beach weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology says thunderstorms are likely to develop at the start of the week but will clear by Wednesday when the temperature slips slightly.

Temperatures for the rest of the week are expected to remain around the low to mid-30s.

With hot days and warm nights expected, the Health Department is reminding people of the risks associated with heat stress.

People over the age of 65 and children younger than two years are especially at risk, as well as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with heart disease or high blood pressure, and those on certain drugs such as medication for mental illness.

People who work outside or who are not used to the heat, such as overseas travellers, may also be at a higher risk.

Although the human body can cope well in temperatures less than 32 degrees, higher temperatures can make it hard for the body to cool itself, the department says.

"The body loses heat by sweating, but when temperatures are consistently high, sweating isn't enough to cool down adequately," the department warns.

The effects of heat stress can be mild and include muscle cramps, weakness and headache.

Medical advice should be sought if a person experienced high body temperature, nausea, dry hot skin or a rapid heart rate, the department said.

To avoid heat stress, people are reminded to remain hydrated, wear loose fitting clothing and stay indoors.

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Wind blows kite surfers onto Qld cliff

KITE surfing combines aspects of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing and paragliding but two men have unintentionally added rock climbing to that mix in southern Queensland.

Two kite surfers were on the water off Teewah Beach, north of Noosa, when a large wind gust blew one of them 80 metres up a cliff.

He was stuck on the ridge of the cliff and was noticed by a group of people walking on the beach, said the department of community safety.

One man tried to climb up to assist the kite surfer but turned back halfway.

Moments later another strong wind gust caught the second kite surfer by surprise and blew him onto the same cliff, about 200m away.

The onlookers then called emergency services, and the Queensland Ambulance Service and Surf Life Saving Queensland both sent helicopters to help.

However the two kite surfers were able to make their own way safely down.

The first kite surfer suffered only minor cuts and bruises and the second had minor leg injuries.

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