GP fee a key issue in Griffith by-election

IT may be a squabble over a paltry $6, but the stakes are high.

Speculation that the federal government wants to introduce a mandatory $6 GP fee is fast becoming a major issue in the by-election for the seat vacated by ex-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The Greens have joined Labor in campaigning against the $6 GP fee in the Griffith electorate, trying to get residents to vote against the Liberal National Party at the February 8 poll.

An army of Greens voters are doorknocking homes in the electorate on Saturday, urging constituents to put LNP candidate Dr Glasson last on their ballot papers.

They say Dr Glasson, a former Australian Medical Association (AMA) president, supports plans to make patients pay a $6 fee every time they visit their GP.

Greens candidate for Griffith Geoff Ebbs says struggling residents would simply not be able to afford the charge.

"The people of Griffith will be queuing up at our local hospitals emergency departments to avoid paying this extra cost," Greens candidate for Griffith Geoff Ebbs said.

"More expensive medical expertise will be taken up for illnesses that GPs should be tending to."

The Doctors Reform Society of Australia is rallying with the Greens, while Labor has already come out firing on the $6 GP fee.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten was in Griffith on Thursday with Labor candidate Terri Butler to meet voters and campaign against Medicare co-payments.

However, the coalition maintains it has not considered or proposed to introduce a co-payment.

The government says the proposals were made by the Australian Centre for Health Research in a paper released publicly last October and have been the subject of media speculation since.

Dr Glasson says he has always been a passionate supporter of Medicare.

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Vitamin D can help fibromyalgia

VITAMIN D supplements can improve the symptoms of a debilitating chronic pain disorder that affects around one in 25 people, mostly women.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) causes widespread muscle pain and tiredness, and is associated with anxiety and depression.

Sufferers are highly sensitive to touch, so that even a minor knock can be extremely painful.

The incurable condition, often confused with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or ME, is believed to be triggered by abnormally sensitive nerves.

Previous studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D are common in patients with FMS.

In the new study, 30 women with the syndrome who were lacking vitamin D were either given supplements of the vitamin or an inactive placebo.

Boosting vitamin D levels led to dramatic reductions in the treated group's experience of pain, as measured using a standard scale based on self-reported symptoms.

The improvement continued over 25 weeks until the supplements were stopped, after which both groups had matching pain scores.

Treated women also experienced a significant reduction in morning fatigue, although the supplements had no impact on depression and anxiety symptoms.

The findings are reported in the current issue of the journal Pain.

Study leader Dr Florian Wepner, from Speising Orthopaedic Hospital in Vienna, Austria, said: "We believe that the data presented in the present study are promising. FMS is a very extensive symptom complex that cannot be explained by a vitamin D deficiency alone.

"However, vitamin D supplementation may be regarded as a relatively safe and economical treatment for FMS patients and an extremely cost-effective alternative or adjunct to expensive pharmacological treatment as well as physical, behavioural, and multimodal therapies.

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The ACT extends its total fire ban

The ACT is bracing for another day of scorching hot temperatures under a total fire ban. Source: AAP

AUTHORITIES in the ACT have extended a total fire ban into the weekend as the nation's capital continues to swelter.

ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Dominic Lane says the ban first declared on Wednesday has been extended until midnight on Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a top of 40C for Canberra and strengthening winds on Saturday, with a severe fire danger.

Light showers are expected to break the heat on Monday.

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Fanning, Parkinson in war to save beaches

A campaign has started to protect world famous surf break Kirra from development. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIA'S top surfers have won the battle to save the best wave in the world, but the war to save the Gold Coast's surfing future is just beginning.

Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson are celebrating the Queensland government's decision to can a cruise ship terminal and resort near the world-famous famous Kirra Beach.

But they've vowed it's just the first step to protect the natural assets that pump $3.2 billion into the Gold Coast economy alone each year.

The surf champions have now turned their sights on stopping another cruise ship terminal from being built on the Broadwater, saying it will affect the famous TOS South Stradbroke break.

They have also put themselves up as ambassadors - alongside surf legend Kelly Slater - for a world surfing reserve to be declared from South Stradbroke Island to Snapper Rocks on the NSW border.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott lent his support to the declaration of a world surf reserve at Manly in Sydney in 2012.

Now the pressure is on him to back a much larger reserve off the southeast Queensland coast, and consider more similar reserves elsewhere around Australia.

Fanning and Parkinson both rate Kirra as the best ride in the world.

They say the threat to its future has revealed how vulnerable Australian beaches are to development threats, and new laws are needed to safeguard them and the billions they generate for the economy.

"We want the premier to guarantee there'll never be a cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast full stop," Parkinson told reporters after the Kirra project was canned on Thursday.

"He must say no developments like this from Stradbroke to the border."

Brad Farmer, who heads the National and World Surfing Reserves and founded the Surfrider Foundation Australia, says there are 18 national surf reserves in Australia and one world surf reserve at Manly.

But that's not nearly enough given the economic benefits the nation's 11,761 beaches generate.

"What was proposed on the Gold Coast was the beginning of privatisation of the Australian coast," he told AAP.

"All Australians are abhorred by the concept of selling off the sovereign right of access to a beach, as has been done in Asia and parts of the United States.

"We are calling on the prime minister to endorse a Gold Coast world surf reserve and also to enact legislation to recognise world surf reserves."

Mr Farmer said Mr Abbott must also begin drafting a national coastal act to ensure no other beaches face the kind of threat the Kirra project posed.

Jim Wilson, who heads the Save Our Southern Beaches Alliance, says the next step will be to stop the Broadwater terminal from going ahead.

But he says the broader push for new legislation, and more recognised surf reserves, is where the war will be fought and won.

"We've won this round. We won the fight against a marina at Kirra in the 80s. But there will be another one," he told AAP.

"You can't let go, because politicians come and go. What doesn't come and go is the land, the sea, the foreshores, the beaches and the swell. We must not destroy it."

Premier Campbell Newman said the government never entertained the idea of a cruise ship terminal in the Kirra beach area.

"Our beaches are just too important - not just as a natural wonder or as a place for families and surfers - but also for the central role they play in Gold Coast tourism," he said.

Despite what he called a number of "significant challenges", Mr Newman said the government was still considering the Gold Coast City Council's request for a cruise ship terminal at the Broadwater.

A statement is expected from the group behind the terminal proposal for Bilinga, near Kirra beach, later on Friday in the wake of the premier's comments.

Spokesman Graham Staerk said the Gold Coast Ocean Terminal Group respected Mr Newman's decision, but still wanted to build a multimillion dollar integrated tourism resort and casino on the site.

"GCOT will also still invest in building a new world-leading sand bypass outlet, which will help recreate the old world-famous Kirra surf break, create new breaks at Bilinga and nourish northern beaches," he said.

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Jailed man's wife wants bikie law reviewed

THE wife of a Queensland man jailed for allegedly meeting bikies in a pub wants the tough laws reviewed to ensure others don't suffer the same fate.

Joshua Carew, 30, was granted bail in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday, more than a month after he and four others were locked up under the state's tough new anti-bikie laws.

The five allegedly met at the Yandina Hotel in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on November 1 and were taken into custody on December 10.

They are charged with being participants in a criminal organisation and being knowingly in public with two or more participants, under laws introduced as part of the Newman government's crackdown on bikies.

Police allege two of the men are Rebels motorcycle gang members and the other three - including Carew - are associates.

Outside court Carew's wife Tracy said her husband had been delivering a pizza to his boss at the hotel on the night in question and his imprisonment was a "sad reality" that could happen to anyone.

"To be locked up in solitary confinement without being found guilty of something is a very harsh punishment for the seriousness of the crime," she told reporters.

"All it is is three family members and two extremely close friends getting together for a gathering at a local hotel."

Asked if she had a message for Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, Mrs Carew said she didn't have anything negative to say.

"If anything we'd like them to have a think about and possibly change the way that the law is written so that people don't suffer the same fate as our boys do," she said.

The mother of two said Christmas had been difficult for her family but her children were excited about seeing their father.

Carew was granted bail by Supreme Court Justice John Byrne, who deemed the prosecution case "arguable" and the risk of Carew reoffending "not unacceptable".

He joins Dan Whale and Scott Conley on bail, while Paul Lansdowne and Steven Smith remain in custody.

Lansdowne's application for bail is currently being heard in the Supreme Court.

The men face a mandatory six months' imprisonment if found guilty at a trial which has been set down for March.

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Two accused one-punch murderers in court

A grieving family has called for justice as two one-punch murder cases appear in the same court. Source: AAP

AS two accused murderers came before the same court charged over one-punch killings in Sydney, yet another grieving family has called for justice for the "tragedy of inexcusable proportions".

The murder cases against Shaun McNeil, 25, and Nicholas Lambaditis, 33, were briefly mentioned in Central Local Court on Tuesday, with neither man required to appear in court.

McNeil is accused of murdering Daniel Christie by punching him in an unprovoked attack at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.

The murder charge was formally laid against McNeil in court in the wake of 18-year-old Mr Christie's death at St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday.

Lambaditis is charged with murdering 34-year-old Lucio Stein Rodrigues, a Brazilian national he allegedly punched outside a bar in Sydney's CBD last November.

Like Mr Christie, Mr Rodrigues's life support was turned off days after the attack due to irreparable brain damage.

In a statement read outside court by their lawyer, the Rodrigues family expressed their grief and anger at the death of their son.

"Lucio hasn't been mentioned in the media much at all lately and it's very important that he's not forgotten," the statement said.

"His family are extremely distraught over the death of their son and they desperately want justice to be done.

"We need to ensure the community and the judiciary understand the family's outrage, that his death will be in vain if the accused is treated as leniently as other one-punch offenders in recent times."

They were referring to Kieran Loveridge, who was jailed for four years for killing 18-year-old Thomas Kelly with a single punch in July 2012.

Mr Kelly was attacked just yards from where Mr Christie was punched in Kings Cross.

Both attacks, along with a string of other one-punch attacks over the summer break, have prompted calls for tougher sentencing laws for alcohol-fuelled violence.

On Monday Mr Kelly's father delivered a petition with 132,000 signatures to the NSW government demanding minimum sentencing laws for manslaughter.

Mr Christie's family have termed single punches or so-called king hits a "coward's punch".

In a statement released after their son's death, they described him as a "beacon of morality".

He died while shielding three younger boys who were allegedly punched to the ground by McNeil, who allegedly boasted he was a mixed martial arts fighter before punching Mr Christie.

His brother, Peter Christie, also suffered a split lip in the alleged attack.

"No family should be forced to deal with this situation, however we are not the first and we fear that we won't be the last," the Christies said.

The Rodrigues family agreed, saying their son's death was a "tragedy of inexcusable proportions".

In a statement that echoed the Christies' sentiments, they said Mr Rodrigues was a "beacon of the community".

"He came from a good family, was well educated, well respected and dearly loved by many," they said.

"(We are) seeking to ensure that with Lucio's death, a line is drawn in the sand and offenders are dealt with in accordance with community expectations."

Lambaditis, who has not yet entered a plea, is also charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and assaulting another man.

McNeil is facing a string of assault charges.

Both men were formally refused bail and will appear before the same court on March 4.

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Holden workers feeling stressed

Many Holden workers are already feeling enormous levels of distress over the company's closure. Source: AAP

MANY Holden workers set to lose their jobs when the company ends local manufacturing feel "imprisoned by uncertainty", South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says.

Mr Weatherill says government MPs have been hearing from workers affected by the company's decision to stop building cars by the end of 2017.

He said while the company's closure was still four years away, workers were feeling enormous levels of distress already.

"What they're worried about is their future," he said.

"Those worries are manifesting in real concerns now. Not in four years time but now.

"They are, in fact, imprisoned by uncertainty."

Mr Weatherill said the state government would provide significant assistance to those affected by Holden's decision and would also write to the company to ensure it provided the appropriate levels of support.

That included offering workers the opportunity to do work experience in other industries where they might find new work as well as support for counselling and training.

"The critical thing here is to make sure these workers get the skills and have access to the counselling that means when they leave, they'll have a job," he said.

The premier said the government would put a range of topics to Holden but had not yet finalised what level of financial support it believed was appropriate for the company to provide.

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Four people unaccounted for in WA fire

Four people are unaccounted for and 46 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire in the Perth hills. Source: AAP

FOUR people are unaccounted for and 46 homes and two sheds have been destroyed by a ferocious bushfire in the Perth hills.

The blaze, which burned through 650 hectares in the Shire of Mundaring on Sunday, has been contained but 275 firefighters were still battling to bring it under control.

Weather conditions have improved since reports of flames 20m high, and a warning for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena has been downgraded to a watch and act alert.

A 62-year-old man in nearby Hovea collapsed on the roof of his house and died on Sunday afternoon.

Some firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and bee stings.

The fate of animals including horses, chickens and pets is still unknown but residents are bracing for the worst.

About 500 people gathered for a community meeting on Monday, including Premier Colin Barnett, and were told there were 13 road blocks and many fallen power lines.

Residents were told they would probably not be able to return home until Wednesday.

There have been no reports of looting, but police are patrolling the area.

Western Power says about 1000 properties are without power in Parkerville and Mundaring.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Former firefighter Greg Dunston said he stayed home to protect his property and managed to save neighbouring homes as well by putting out spot fires, but all the trees in the area were blackened.

"We're on quite a slope, so the fire raced up the hill," he told Fairfax radio.

"It's just black and ash."

Two emergency welfare centres housed about 100 people overnight and people were being offered counselling.

The Red Cross State Inquiry Centre is operational and people seeking information on family members can call 1800 015 337.

Authorities warned people should not donate goods because they were an additional problem for welfare workers and might not be useful.

Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard said knowing so many homes had been lost increased the devastation "tremendously", and many residents were relieved to escape the flames.

"Visually, it was a very ugly fire. It was scary," she told AAP.

Ms Dullard said the local council would eventually take over the recovery effort and manage relief funds.

The state government will contribute a million dollars towards the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund, which has been activated to raise and co-ordinate donations to support victims.

Insurers have declared the fire a catastrophic event.

It has been three years since the last massive bushfire in the Perth hills region, which destroyed 71 homes in Roleystone and Kelmscott.

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Vic to erase convictions for gay sex

Victoria is set to announce plans to erase the convictions of men for having consensual gay sex. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN men prosecuted for having gay sex will be able to apply to have their convictions erased under laws before state parliament this year.

Gay rights advocates welcomed the move, saying it will help end the stigma and shame endured by hundreds of men based on discriminatory laws more than 30 years ago.

Denis Napthine made the announcement to delete gay criminal records as he became the first Victorian premier to open Melbourne's 26th annual Midsumma carnival, which drew thousands of revellers to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex (GLBTI) culture on Sunday.

"This is a good piece of legislation," Dr Napthine told reporters in Melbourne.

"I'm surprised it's taken this long but this is fair and reasonable."

The Hamer Liberal government decriminalised homosexuality in Victoria in 1981.

Under legislation before parliament this year, those convicted of consensual sexual acts with other men can apply to have the convictions expunged.

"I recognise the GLBTI community has a great contribution to make to this great state and the diversity of this state," Dr Napthine earlier told reporters.

"What we want is people to be able to enjoy their sexuality in whatever form it takes within the privacy of their own home".

Human Rights Law Centre advocacy director Anna Brown said deleting unjust convictions will help end shame endured by gay men unfairly burdened with criminal records.

"Acknowledging these laws were wrong and legislating to abolish the left-over convictions will start to heal the harm these discriminatory laws have caused," she said.

Until 1981, gay men were convicted and even jailed for offences including buggery and loitering for homosexual purposes, which created barriers to work, volunteering and travel.

In some cases, men who would now be treated as sex abuse victims were charged.

Victorian man Noel Tovey says he pleased he can remove the black mark from his name.

"It's good to know at the age of 80, that I am no longer a criminal in the eyes of the law and society," he said.

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