Man wanted for Sydney murder hands self in

A MAN wanted over the death of a factory worker in Sydney's west has handed himself into authorities.

The 37-year-old New Zealand man walked into Windsor police station and gave himself up around 12.40pm (AEDT) on Saturday, police say.

Homicide squad officers will interview him in relation to the death of 62-year-old Lane Hargreave, who was fatally stabbed at a factory on Links Road, Dunheved, on February 21.

Police issued an arrest warrant for the 37-year-old man last week.

The alleged killer is expected to be charged with murder later on Saturday.

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Pension boost no election ploy: Macklin

PENSIONERS will soon receive a boost in their allowance, but a senior minister says it's unrelated to the September election.

Families Minister Jenny Macklin outlined the previously announced increase, which includes the Clean Energy Supplement to help offset the impact of the carbon tax, on Saturday - a day before Prime Minister Julia Gillard starts her western Sydney blitz.

Single pensioners on the maximum rate will receive an extra $35.80 per fortnight with couples getting an increase of $54 per fortnight.

The rise, starting on March 20, covers those receiving the Age Pension, Disability Pension, Carer Payment and veteran income support.

"We know how important it is to make sure that the pension does keep up with the cost of living," she told reporters in Melbourne, when asked if the announcement was designed to help the government win the September election.

"That's why this government improved the way that we amend the pension twice a year, to make sure that it keeps up with pensioners' cost of living."

She also downplayed Ms Gillard's decision to base herself in western Sydney - where Labor faces an electoral wipeout - saying the government was in touch with all Australians.

"I think it's important for us, all of us, all the time to be talking with people in our communities," Ms Macklin said.

"That's what I do, it's what the prime minister does.

"I've been to western Sydney every week for the last few weeks. Nothing new to me to be in western Sydney."

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Vic ambos unhappy at work, survey finds

A survey of Victorian paramedics shows more than half plan to quit in the next five years. Source: AAP

AMBULANCE Victoria and the ambulance union have found state paramedics are looking for other work, but management says staff turnover is low.

The ambulance union says a survey of 600 paramedics found 55 per cent were so unhappy in their jobs they planned to quit in the next five years.

The union's study also found 54 per cent intended to move interstate to work.

Ambulance Victoria has rejected the claims, saying internal data showed attrition was relatively stable at four per cent.

Tony Walker, the organisation's regional services general manager, said more than 70 paramedics from other services were seeking work with Ambulance Victoria.

But a 2012 Ambulance Victoria report found almost one-third of paramedics were actively seeking a job outside their organisation.

Thirty-one per cent of workers who responded to the survey said they were actively looking for a job elsewhere.

Mr Walker said the June 2012 internal survey had shown members of the workforce were concerned about elements of their jobs, including rostering.

"We've taken those on board and are trying to address certain areas," he said.

The union survey, released on Friday, is the latest manoeuvre in a dispute over a pay offer the union says gives most experienced paramedics an increase of just $1-a-week.

Ambulance Employees Australia state secretary Steve McGhie said Victoria's paramedics are the nation's lowest paid.

"That's putting unbearable pressure on them and forcing them to consider moving interstate," Mr McGhie said.

Paramedics could earn up to 30 per cent more in other states, the union says.

Mr Walker said while some interstate paramedics earned more than their Victorian counterparts, their terms and conditions were different.

"We don't have any idea what other states have given up to get those salary increases," he said.

"They've gone through productivity changes that we don't have real clarity around."

Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan said he was confident a pay deal could be reached.

"We will continue to negotiate in good faith," he said.

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Tinkler's jet, chopper up for sale

HE once soared as Australia's youngest billionaire but debt-laden Nathan Tinkler now risks being grounded with his luxury jet and helicopter put up for sale.

Receivers are seeking nearly $14 million for the coal baron's Dassault Falcon 900C executive jet, which seats up to 14 people in leather-upholstered comfort, boasts gold-plated fixtures and an espresso machine.

Mr Tinkler's eight-seater Agusta A109S helicopter is listed at just under $6 million.

Receivers Taylor Woodings put the two aircraft up for sale on Friday, with ads appearing on US and Australian sales websites and in the Australian Financial Review newspaper.

Mr Tinkler will be able to hold on to the aircraft if he can refinance their mortgages.

"(Mr Tinkler) has that option right up until we complete a sale," Taylor Woodings receiver Nathan Landrey said.

"Because they are not distressed assets, there is no defined deadline (for the sale)."

The aircraft are the latest high-priced playthings to come under pressure in Mr Tinkler's empire.

In 2012 the horseracing mad former electrician was forced to sell his star colt, All Too Hard, to a consortium that included retail mogul Gerry Harvey, as part of a deal to raise $25 million to put towards debts believed to be in the hundreds of millions.

Adding to the sting, All Too Hard is the favourite to win the Australian Guineas at Flemington racecourse on Saturday.

A little over a week ago, Mr Tinkler secured the future of his Newcastle Knights rugby league team after coming to an arrangement with the Australian Taxation Office over outstanding debts.

Taylor Woodings was appointed as receiver of TGHA Aviation in November, 2012, as Mr Tinkler's business empire faced mounting debt pressures.

Mr Tinkler slipped from top of the BRW Young Rich list in 2011, with an estimated wealth of $1.13 billion, to second in 2012 with wealth of $400 million.

A fall in coal prices crimped the value of Mr Tinkler's key asset, a 21 per cent stake in Whitehaven Coal, and the company recently posted a $47 million half year loss as production problems combined with weak markets hurt earnings.

On Friday Whitehaven shares hit a near-four-year low at $2.68.

During 2012, in addition to Mr Tinkler selling parts of his horse racing empire to raise cash, two of his companies, Mulsanne Resources and Patinack Farm Administration, were placed in liquidation.

The Dassault jet was advertised at $US13.95 million ($A13.73 million) by a US aircraft sales company, Avpro.

The Agusta helicopter was priced at $US5.95 million ($A5.86 million) on the website of another company, SMS Aircraft.

The red, black and white helicopter, fitted with red leather seats, still bears the Tinkler Group Aviation logo on its side.

If the aircraft are sold, the proceeds will be used to pay off the outstanding finance and settle any unsecured debts, with any remaining funds returned to the company.

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Cancel JSF program involvement: Greens

The government should scrap its involvement in the US joint strike fighter program, the Greens say. Source: AAP

THE federal government should scrap its involvement in the $US570 billion ($A560 billion) US joint strike fighter (JSF) program, the Australian Greens say.

Australia is considering whether to buy up to 100 of the F-35 fighters from the US.

It has so far purchased two and deferred the acquisition of the next tranche of 12 for two years.

"The JSF program should be cancelled immediately - before more damage is being done," Greens defence spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam said in a statement on Thursday.

Senator Ludlam said the JSF program was an "expensive money-sink".

"The reckless pursuit of the JSF has evolved into a colossal waste of time and money," he said.

The world's most expensive military program has seen cost blow-outs of $US13 billion ($A13 billion) and is running five years late.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 is a fifth-generation combat aircraft featuring stealth capability - low visibility to radar - and advanced sensors to detect enemy aircraft.

But the production program has been described as too dear and behind schedule.

Senator Ludlam plans on Thursday to move a motion in the Senate calling for an end to Australia's involvement in the costly project.

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SA smelter given major development status

A FULL environmental assessment will be conducted on a proposed $350 million upgrade to the Nyrstar smelting facilities in South Australia after the project was declared a major development.

Planning Minister John Rau ruled on Thursday the redevelopment of the Port Pirie facility, was of major environmental, social and economic importance to the state.

The declaration ensures the project would be subject to the highest level of assessment along with community consultation and also triggers an environmental impact statement.

The minister said the proposed redevelopment in Port Pirie would secure thousands of jobs in the region and deliver a cleaner processing and recovery facility to significantly reduce lead emissions.

But the Greens described the project's major development status as a double-edged sword, leaving final approval for the redevelopment with the state government.

"The people of Port Pirie have every right to be sceptical about the process, given that the final decision will rest with the state government," Greens MP Mark Parnell said.

"The government will need to work very hard to convince people that it will impartially assess the project."

Federal Regional Development Minister Simon Crean welcomed the state government's decision saying it would help position the region to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

"Growth in the mining sector and the proposal to redevelop Port Pirie are both key factors in diversifying the economic base of the upper Spencer Gulf," Mr Crean said in a statement.

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AV Jennings optimistic after $19m loss

BUYERS are finally returning to the new housing market after an extended slowdown, leaving property developer AV Jennings cautiously optimistic for 2013.

Chief executive Peter Summers says improvements in affordability, low interest rates, underlying housing shortages, and stable economic conditions all indicate market conditions are improving.

"Visitations are up in a lot of our projects ... (that) indicates it is an improving market out there, and in some of our projects the sales rates are up as well," Mr Summers told AAP on Wednesday.

"All these things are leading us to say that this is the time to start producing more inventory than we have for the last year."

Mr Summers made the comments after AV Jennings reported a first half net loss of $19.1 million for the six months to December 31, compared to a profit of $3.3 million in the previous corresponding period.

The net loss included provisioning for a loss on inventory of $16.1 million, 80 per cent of which related to Queensland projects, where the housing downturn had outlasted expectations.

Consumer confidence there had been shaken more than most other parts of the country, due to flooding, lower population growth, the impact of the high Australian dollar on tourism, and recent softening in the mining sector, Mr Summers said.

"The fundamentals in Queensland are still very strong, but consumer confidence remains low, and for longer than we and most of our industry competitors and forecasters have expected," he said.

Mr Summers said the builder had cut back on the number of homes it built during the first half to minimise exposure during the gloomy market conditions.

Works dropped to 318 at 30 June 2012 but had climbed back up to 554 by 31 December 2012.

"We reduced the number of works in progress we had in the system; if you don't produce inventory you can't get turnover and settlement through," he said.

AV Jennings failed to pay an interim dividend, compared to half a cent a year ago.

Its shares closed steady at 41 cents.

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Westfield chiefs paid $18.3 between them

WESTFIELD chief executives Steven and Peter Lowy were paid a total of $18.32 million during 2012.

Steven Lowy was paid $9.40 million for 2012, down from $9.55 million the previous year.

The pay of his brother and co-chief executive Peter Lowy increased slightly to $8.918 million from $8.917 million last year.

The shopping centre giant's other three top executives received pay cuts during 2012.

Chief financial officer Peter Allan was paid $5.65 million for the year, down from $5.83 million in 2011.

UK and Europe managing director Michael Gutman's remuneration shrank to $5.77 million, from $6.66 million the year before.

Australia, United States and New Zealand managing director Robert Jordan's pay packet fell to $5.58 million in 2012, from $6.44 million the previous year.

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Struggling Stockland enlists Qld premier

STRUGGLING property group Stockland has opened a shopping mall redevelopment in north Queensland only a fortnight after posting a huge loss.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman unveiled the $180 million project on Tuesday featuring Townsville's first Myer store and 180 specialty stores.

"This project reflects a great faith that I share with Stockland in our state's economy and I hope that it gives the people of Townsville a big confidence boost," Mr Newman said in a statement.

The celebration comes less than two weeks after Stockland announced a $147.1 million interim loss for the six months to December 31.

The company's retail sector, however, generated 63 per cent of earnings.

A redevelopment at Merrylands, in Sydney's west, was completed in October last year, while the Shellharbour revamp in the NSW Illawarra opens later in 2013.

John Schroder, the chief executive of Stockland's commercial property arm, said the Townsville redevelopment had created 660 jobs during a two-year construction period, and 400 retail jobs since the redevelopment was completed in October last year.

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Gillard makes jobs pitch amid dire polls

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will tour eight marginal western Sydney seats next week. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard will next week pitch her government's plan for jobs, education and innovation to voters in western Sydney, taking in some of the nation's most marginal seats.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on Tuesday tried to pre-empt Ms Gillard's mini-campaign in the former Labor heartland, saying voters want an end to the carbon tax and action on living costs.

With just under six months to go before the next federal election, the latest Newspoll published on Tuesday gives the coalition a 55-45 lead in the two-party vote.

This points to an emphatic win for Mr Abbott if an election were held now, and echoes last week's Nielsen poll.

Ms Gillard will spend five days next week in eight marginal western Sydney seats, six of which are held by Labor and two that the government needs to take from the Liberals.

Her tour starts with a speech at the University of Western Sydney on Sunday.

Federal cabinet will also meet in the area, while Ms Gillard will answer voters' questions in social media forums and visit local communities.

The visit comes at a critical time, after polling by JWS Research earlier this year found Labor faces a 12 per cent swing against it in NSW marginal seats - potentially a loss of 10 seats - making it the most at-risk zone for the government.

Industry Minister Greg Combet said Ms Gillard would be explaining how the government would support jobs.

"Ultimately, that is what matters," Mr Combet told reporters in Adelaide.

Asked about Ms Gillard's trip, Mr Abbott, who visited western Sydney last month, told the prime minister: "Good on you."

"But what western Sydney wants is not a visit. Western Sydney wants a plan," he said in Rockhampton, Queensland.

Labor councillor Leo Kelly, who serves the city of Blacktown in the heart of the western suburbs, said Ms Gillard may have left her visit too late.

"From what I hear generally, it could be - it could be a bit late," he told AAP.

Mr Kelly says residents want to know how federal Labor will address cost-of-living pressures and bolster financial support for education and transport.

Greens leader Christine Milne said the prime minister needed to explain why she was cutting support for single parents, with many moved to lower Newstart benefits.

NSW Labor senator Doug Cameron said the western Sydney visit was crucial.

"We're in a bit of trouble in western Sydney, but we've just got to cut through the nonsense that's been perpetuated by the coalition on a range of our policy issues," he said.

On the polls, Labor frontbencher Simon Crean said Labor needed to be more "courageous".

"With those figures, we clearly can't win," he told reporters in Melbourne.

"But that's not where we expect to be in September."

Independent senator Nick Xenophon warned the polls were a "funeral notice" for Labor.

"The voters haven't so much got baseball bats behind their backs waiting for the election ... some of them almost have a nuclear missile," he said.

The election will be held on September 14.

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Missing Novy's husband grilled by police

John Chardon arrives at Coomera Police Station to discuss an investigation into his missing wife, Novy. Picture: Luke Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail

Police say they hold grave concerns for Novy Chardon, 34, who went missing from a residence in Upper Coomera on February 6. Source: Supplied

THE husband of missing Gold Coast woman Novy Chardon has been grilled by detectives over her disappearance.

Businessman John Chardon arrived at Coomera police station 11am on Monday and made no comment to reporters as he entered the compound.

He spent three hours with detectives before being transported to Southport police station Monday afternoon.

It is understood he volunteered to accompany officers to Southport to take part in DNA testing.

Mr Chardon has maintained he had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance.

Mrs Chardon disappeared more than two weeks ago.

Two days later her husband jetted off to Indonesia on a business trip with the couple's two young children.

They returned to Australia at the weekend.

So far there has been no trace of the 34-year-old.

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70 evacuated in Kiama due to asbestos

ABOUT 70 locals are being evacuated from their homes after a tornado-style storm dumped asbestos and other building materials on parks, backyards and streets in Kiama on the NSW south coast.

Gale-force winds uprooted trees, stripped roofs and wiped out buildings as the storm front hit in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Seeing the roof of the fire station missing, seeing mature trees that look like they have been through a mixmaster, seeing blue tarpaulins along a defined corridor: this is an event that you associate with a tornado going through parts of America," said NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell.

"What is clear is that it cut a path, it followed a path across the land."

More than 170 homes suffered damage of some kind and the State Emergency Services (SES) believes at least 10 homes have been completely destroyed.

Power was yet to be restored to a number of homes on Monday afternoon as emergency volunteers scrambled to put tarpaulins on homes before more rain predicted in the coming days.

After observing the devastation from a helicopter, Mr O'Farrell said cabinet was working to declare it a natural disaster zone and he hoped assistance for homeowners, businesses and farmers would be unlocked within 24 hours.

He said the damage bill was unknown at this stage.

Kiama mayor Brian Petschler told AAP that about 70 people lived in the asbestos exclusion zone created by debris from the town's leisure centre and a number of houses, including one that "blew up" on the edge of town.

They were being evacuated on Monday and were expected to be allowed to return home in two days.

"They will have to stay out of there until the area has been cleared," Mr Petschler told AAP.

"We're very concerned and we've got major problems with the leisure centre, which is largely built of asbestos materials."

He said the leisure centre, a nearby carpark and a sports field had all been closed off, as well as a number of streets in the middle of town.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Tara McCarthy said the asbestos hadn't posed a problem while it was still wet, but there were now concerns the fibres could spread.

"Obviously we are seeing now the conditions are becoming sunnier ... and we are looking at a number of local evacuations," she told reporters.

"As soon as they commence the evacuations, then we will bring in teams to do the clean-up."

She said Kiama and the Sydney suburb of Malabar had copped the worst of the storm.

Mr Petschler said the storm hit hard and fast and it was miraculous no one had died.

"It's astounding really ... I was absolutely amazed at the ferocity of the storm," he said, adding doors and walls had been ripped off the local nursing home.

Only one woman needed treatment for an eye injury caused by flying glass.

Bruce Elder, who lives on one of Kiama's worst-hit streets, said he and his wife counted themselves "extremely lucky" after suffering only one broken window when their neighbour's balcony "decided to go for a wander".

"It was absolutely all the cliches: it started out sounding like a freight train," he told AAP.

"The best way to describe it is, take a really, really strong wind and then multiply it by 10 and you only start to get an idea of what it was like."

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Husband denies harming missing Qld mum

THE husband of missing Gold Coast mother Novy Chardon says his wife's disappearance is complicated but he has nothing to do with it.

John Chardon flew to Indonesia with their two children on a pre-arranged business trip two days after his wife disappeared from their Upper Coomera home on February 6.

On Saturday, the day he reportedly returned to Australia, he told News Ltd he had nothing to do with his wife's disappearance.

"All I will say is that I did not f**ing do anything to her and we don't know where the f*** she is," he said.

"There's a lot more complication to it."

He would not elaborate on what this meant.

His lawyers are preparing him for an interview with Gold Coast investigators next week, the ABC says.

Police have said they are not treating Mr Chardon as a suspect, but are keen to talk to him.

Earlier this week police searched a quiet road which runs behind Dreamworld, in their hunt for clues about his missing wife.

Police believe Mrs Chardon's Volvo SUV may have been driven along the road some time between her disappearance and the evening of February 11 when it was found.

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Road warnings as wild weather pounds NSW

MOTORISTS have been warned to avoid floodwaters and not to take unnecessary risks as NSW is pounded by severe weather and the state's road toll continues to rise.

Nine people have died on the roads in the past three days, many in areas affected by downpours. The latest fatality happened on Saturday afternoon when a 73-year-old man was caught in flood waters near Grafton.

It's prompted a warning from Highway Patrol Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, who says motorists should not drive into flood waters in any circumstance.

"Drivers who venture into flooded waters are not only risking their own lives, they're risking the lives of the people who have to then go into the water to rescue them," Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

He urged motorists not to take unnecessary risks on the state's roads during the current "horrible weather conditions".

"The weather we're experiencing across the state is extreme and unpredictable and it is the worst time for drivers to let their guard down.

"Nine people have lost their lives on the state's roads in just 72 hours - one fatality is too many, nine is just appalling and a tragic waste of life."

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said each of the crashes remained under investigation.

The warning came as police reported the results of a three day drink driving blitz, in which 110,030 motorists were breath tested across the state. Charges were laid against 139 people.

A 30-year-old man was caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .224, nearly four times the legal limit, in Griffith about 9pm (AEDT) on Saturday.

The man was charged with high-range drink-driving and his licence was suspended on the spot.

Another man, 44, was caught drink-driving twice in one day and blew .157 when police stopped him for the second time.

He was again charged for high-range drink driving and also for driving without a licence, which was suspended the first time he was nabbed.

On Sunday morning a 50-year-old man was breath tested and searched in Binnaway, near Mudgee.

Cannabis and amphetamine were found in his car, leading police to search the man's home where 10 cannabis plants were discovered.

Several drug related charges were laid against him.

He was bailed to appear in Coonabarabran Local Court in April.

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