Discount for miners to unlock Qld fortune

Green groups say miners shouldn't get discounts for chasing coal in Queensland's Galilee Basin. Source: AAP

WITH an estimated 30 billion tonnes of coal in the ground, there's a fortune to be made in Queensland's Galilee Basin, but green groups say trailblazing miners should not get discounts just for chasing it.

They say it's crazy to offer royalty reductions to rich miners like Clive Palmer and Gina Rinehart, but Queensland's peak mining body says there should be more of it.

The Queensland government is considering cutting initial royalties for miners that open up the basin in the state's central west.

Premier Campbell Newman says the state cannot afford to let the potential of the Galilee to remain untapped.

"My government is unashamedly all about growing the business of Queensland and we will do all we can to facilitate the projects proposed for the Galilee Basin," Mr Newman said.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche says "royalty holidays" are needed and should be extended to all miners, not just trailblazers, and beyond the Galilee Basin.

But he says incentives are particularly important to stimulate mining activity in the Galilee where poor infrastructure means projects can cost $10 billion.

"There is more and more coal being found in the Galilee Basin every week so there is probably over 30 billion tonnes of coal in the ground," he told reporters.

However green groups say the coal should stay there.

Greenpeace spokeswoman Louise Matthiesson says the plan to consider royalty cuts suggests that new mega mines in the basin aren't independently viable.

"We are really concerned that ordinary mum and dad taxpayers are going to be giving a handout to the likes of Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer," she said in Brisbane.

Green Senator Larissa Waters agreed, saying discounts would make them even richer at the expense of the Great Barrier Reef, groundwater and climate.

Just days ago, federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt approved GVK's Kevin's Corner project in the Galilee Basin.

The Alpha Coal project - a joint venture between GVK and Gina Rinehart's Hancock coal - was approved in August last year.

Mr Palmer's Waratah Coal and Indian energy company Adani also have projects in the pipeline.

Proposed projects have a total forecast investment of $28.4 billion and will create more than 15,000 jobs during construction plus 13,000 operational jobs.

Mr Roche says approval to dredge seabed to expand Abbot Point will help unlock this potential, as it's the obvious port for Galilee mines to use. A decision is expected by December 13.

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First aid kits for SA police dog handlers

SA police dog handlers are to carry compact first aid kits after the stabbing of a patrol dog. Source: AAP

SOUTH Australia's police dog handlers are to carry compact first aid kits for their canines following the recent stabbing of patrol dog Koda.

The German shepherd was rested for about five weeks after being stabbed in August as police chased and arrested a man over a spate of break-ins in Adelaide's northern suburbs.

The Animal Welfare League, In Wingfield, has now put together the kit so handlers will be able to provide initial first aid.

Each kit includes vet wrap bandage, dressings, saline solution, antiseptic, scissors, forceps and a shock blanket, all contained in a pouch small enough to fit into a handler's pocket.

Koda's handler, Senior Constable Simon Rosenhahn, praised the initiative.

"We work solo the vast majority of the time and sometimes in the middle of the scrub, a long, long way from help," he said on Wednesday.

"When Koda was stabbed, we were a long way from the police vehicle so it was hard to act quickly to ensure he didn't lose too much blood."

The stabbing prompted the SA to propose new laws and tougher penalties for attacks on police animals.

South Australian police currently use 25 dogs and 36 horses.

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David Hicks appeals US conviction

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks (L) says he will appeal his US conviction. Source: AAP

FORMER Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks says an appeal against his US conviction for supporting terrorism is an attempt to right the wrongs committed against him.

But the man who spent more than five years in Guantanamo Bay before being released in Australia in 2007 says financial compensation is not at the front of his mind.

The 37-year-old South Australian says his admission of providing material support to terrorists - part of a plea deal to facilitate his transfer to Australia - was made under duress.

"The purpose of this action is to obtain formal recognition of my innocence so that the wrongs of the past committed against me can be righted, to put it all behind me and move on with my life," Mr Hicks told reporters in Sydney.

Mr Hicks said he has not thought about financial compensation should his appeal succeed.

"At this stage I haven't thought about it," he said.

"This is all about recognising my conviction should be null and void."

Justice, he said, was convincing authorities and the media he is innocent.

"To show that no crime was committed and to have you guys on board to say it was wrong," he said.

"As long as we allow the Australian government to do this to citizens like myself and others, and not to do nothing about it, it'll just happen to Australian citizens again."

Lawyers for Mr Hicks lodged the appeal papers in the US Court of Military Commission Review on Tuesday.

Mr Hicks' lawyer, Stephen Kenny, is seeking a summary dismissal of the conviction because the offence was not a war crime when Mr Hicks was detained, and his guilty plea was made under duress.

"What he was charged with and pled guilty to is not a crime, it is not recognised anywhere outside of the United States since 2006," he said.

"There is really no way the courts can ultimately maintain the fiction of what happened in Guantanamo Bay."

Mr Hicks said while he did not expect the military review to be successful, he welcomed the fact it would open an opportunity to move his appeal in a US civilian court.

"I have full faith in the civilian courts," he said.

Mr Hicks' father, Terry, told AAP he wanted the military courts in the US to admit they were wrong in convicting his son.

He hoped the military review would be successful and there would be no need to bring the case to the civilian court.

"What I'd like is for the military to finally look at the process and say 'we were wrong'," Terry Hicks said.

Now working as a panel beater in Terrey Hills, in Sydney's north, Mr Hicks says he tries to live a normal life with his wife Lucy and friends and family, but is engaged in a lengthy process of self-healing.

He suffers from post traumatic stress, nightmares, back pain and pain in one of his hands, which was broken during his detention.

Mr Hicks also said his teeth were rotting after Guantanamo.

He described to journalists how "biscuit teams" - doctors specialising in behavioural science - treated him during his detention.

"When medical personnel came to see you it's not like 'how are you, how can we help?'" he said.

"They get as much information out of you as possible to see how that treatment is affecting you so they can use it (in interrogation techniques)."

He said detainees who attempted suicide were stripped, hosed down and placed in the "chill box" - a small metal box with high-powered air-conditioning - instead of getting treatment.

A US court last year quashed a similar charge of material support for terrorism relating to Salim Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's former driver.

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Bushfire threat to WA community eases

RESIDENTS at a remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia are no longer being threatened by bushfire, after authorities managed to contain the blaze.

A watch and act warning had been issued for people in the Muludja community, 20 kilometres east of Fitzroy Crossing in the western Kimberley.

But about midday WST, emergency authorities said the fire burning alongside Margaret River towards the community was now being held within containment lines.

There is now no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area.

The bushfire is now moving slowly in a southern direction, and is contained but not controlled.

Eighteen career and volunteer firefighters from six brigades have been working to establish and strengthen containment lines.

The firefighters are being supported by crew and appliances from Gogo and Fossil Downs Stations.

A helicopter from Gogo Station is also providing support from the air.

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Gay bill clears first hurdle in US Senate

A major gay rights bill has cleared its first hurdle in the US Senate on a vote of 61-30. Source: AAP

A MAJOR gay rights bill has cleared its first hurdle in the US Senate.

On a vote of 61-30, the Senate voted to move ahead on the legislation that would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The bipartisan vote increases the chances that the Senate will pass the bill by week's end, but its prospects in the Republican-led House are dimmer.

Speaker John Boehner remains opposed to the bill, arguing that it will lead to frivolous lawsuits and undercut job creation.

A vote would come 17 years after the Senate rejected a similar discrimination measure by one vote.

The Obama administration has said passage of the bill is long overdue.

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RBA keeps cash rate at 2.5%

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate unchanged at a record low of 2.5 per cent. Source: AAP

AN "uncomfortably high" Australian dollar could mean that a Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate cut in the new year is on the cards.

As expected, the RBA kept the cash rate at a record low of 2.5 per cent at its Melbourne Cup Day board meeting, saying that recent cash rate cuts are helping the interest rate sensitive parts of the economy.

RBA governor Glenn Stevens said economic growth was still a little bit below trend, but he expects the economy to pick up next year.

"Private demand outside the mining sector is expected to increase at a faster pace, though considerable uncertainty surrounds this outlook," he said in a statement accompanying the decision.

However Mr Stevens added that the high currency is still a drag on the weaker parts of the economy.

"A lower level of the exchange rate is likely to be needed to achieve balanced growth in the economy," Mr Stevens said.

Westpac chief economist Bill Evans is predicting there will be two interest rate cuts in the first half of 2014.

"We continue to see the case for further easing of rates sparked by a persistently high Australian dollar," he said.

"This is a tactical statement designed to add some downward pressure to the Australian dollar while providing a balanced assessment of the risks for the economy in 2014," he said.

"Whilst we recognise that the recent boost to confidence is encouraging, time will be required to assess whether this materialises in a boost to investment, employment and spending decisions."

JP Morgan economist Ben Jarman said the RBA governor had used stronger language about the Australian dollar in his statement.

"They're getting more concerned about the direction of the Australian dollar and the fact that it's refusing to come down in line with the momentum of the real economy and interest rates," he said.

"They described it as 'uncomfortably high' which is probably the strongest language they've used in this cycle to describe the currency.

The Australian dollar dropped over half a US cent to 94.67 US cents after the RBA decision.

Mr Jarman said the continued strength of the Australian dollar meant the Reserve Bank would likely have more work to do, with another cash rate cut on the cards next year unless the Australian dollar falls in the meantime.

Tapering of the US economic stimulus program was hoped to have pushed the US dollar higher and knocked the Australian dollar lower, but that doesn't look like happening soon, he said.

"Unfortunately, tapering is on the backburner for a little while so the question is, can the RBA hold out until we get that move?"

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Families back Afghan memorial destruction

Families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan support plans to destroy a memorial at Tarin Kowt. Source: AAP

FAMILIES of soldiers killed in Afghanistan have backed Defence's plan to destroy a memorial to the fallen at the Tarin Kowt base rather than bring it home.

Defence force chief General David Hurley said the contentious issue was discussed when 57 family members visited the base for a special commemorative ceremony on Saturday.

The visit included a service at the TK memorial, comprised of concrete blast wall panels, each weighing five tonnes, which lists the names of the 40 Australians killed in Afghanistan plus those of 74 US, Dutch and French soldiers killed while based in Oruzgan Province.

Defence has opted to destroy the memorial when it packs up at the end of this year.

A former soldier has launched an online petition - which has so far gathered about 10,000 signatures - to save the memorial.

General Hurley said family members discussed the future of the memorial during their visit.

"Taking into account all the issues that surround the wall - in particular that it is not uniquely Australian - the families brought a special insight into this matter and agreed to the plan to destroy the wall," he said in a statement.

General Hurley said the destruction would be done respectfully and an appropriate historical record of the wall will be maintained.

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Mehsud's death brings Pakistan little joy

The death of a Pakistani Taliban leader in a recent drone strike has brought little joy to Pakistan. Source: AAP

THE Pakistani Taliban leader killed in a recent US drone strike was behind hotel bombings, assaults on political rallies, beheadings of policemen and suicide attacks on soldiers. But his death elicited little joy in the country where he wreaked most of his havoc and instead stirred widespread anger and suspicion.

At the time of Friday's strike targeting Hakimullah Mehsud, the Pakistani government was engaged in efforts to negotiate a peace deal with militants.

Frustrated at years of military campaigns that have failed to end the bloodshed, many Pakistanis had high hopes for this latest peace effort and blame the US for fouling it up.

Mehsud "should have been given the chance to negotiate, and now the consequences have to be borne by Pakistan, not the US", said Syed Ahmed, a small business owner in the southern port city of Karachi.

Also contributing to the anger are fears of a bloody backlash, plus a web of complex conspiracy theories, including the idea that militants such as Mehsud are American or Indian pawns intent on weakening Pakistan.

For years, Pakistan has been fighting militants in the tribal areas that border neighbouring Afghanistan, with thousands of civilians and security forces dying in bombings and shootings at the hands of militants.

Mehsud, who had a reputation as an especially ruthless warrior, was the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, as it calls itself. The TTP is an umbrella group encompassing militant organisations across the tribal areas. It has called for the overthrow of the Pakistani government, the implementation of hard-line Islamic law and an end to cooperation with the Americans in Afghanistan.

In many ways, people across Pakistan are echoing what they are hearing from politicians and top government officials. During a news conference on Saturday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan lashed out repeatedly at the US, which he said was trying to scuttle peace talks.

There is also suspicion that the US and neighbouring India - a longtime enemy - are directly promoting and funding militants as a way to weaken the country. In the eastern city of Lahore, where that feeling is especially prevalent, lawyer Masood Wattoo blamed the US and India for a recent string of bombings in the northwest, including a suicide attack on a church full of worshippers.

"It was the handiwork of America and India," he said.

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Long wait ahead for WA voters

Deputy PM Warren Truss says any fresh Senate poll in WA should be held as soon as possible. Source: AAP

WEST Australians may have to wait until next year to find out if they have to return to the ballot box for a fresh Senate election, a constitutional expert warns.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced on Saturday that Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and the Australian Sports Party's Wayne Dropulich had been elected to the Senate after a controversial partial recount in WA.

The announcement came as former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty continued his investigation into 1375 missing votes.

Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer immediately flagged a High Court challenge after his candidate Zhenya "Dio" Wang and Labor's Louise Pratt missed out, despite having been successful in the initial count.

Once the writs for the Senate election are returned to the WA governor early this week, there is a 40-day window for legal challenges to be lodged.

The High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, would decide whether a new election should be held.

University of Queensland Law Professor Graeme Orr said it might be months before the court could consider the matter, although it might sit over Christmas if necessary.

"It would be too quick to (happen within) the 40 days because you have to get all the evidence together and (the full bench of) judges together," he told AAP.

Prof Orr said parties lodging a challenge had to supply a statement of claim outlining their evidence, which would take time to compile.

He pointed to the Queensland election in July 1995, in which a court challenge was lodged in August, before a decision came out in December ordering a by-election.

The by-election took place in February 1996.

Labor Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek said Mr Kelty's investigation must be allowed to run its course, but did not rule out Labor pushing for a fresh poll.

"I think it's obviously very important Western Australians are confident that they got the senators they voted for," she told reporters in Sydney.

"But the question of how we can have that confidence is one for a few days' time when the investigation is complete."

She described the situation as a "very unfortunate incident", but said the AEC had a reputation for being the best and most reliable in the world.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said any new Senate election in WA should be held as soon as possible.

The situation of missing votes was a debacle.

"The whole event is a huge embarrassment for the Australian electoral system and we must make sure it doesn't happen again," Mr Truss said.

Senator Ludlam allowed himself a brief moment of celebration on being declared re-elected, but is not certain his victory will stick.

"We are really in uncharted territory," he said.

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Free vote on gay marriage likely:Turnbull

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Malcolm Turnbull believes the coalition is likely to grant MPs a conscience vote if a gay marriage private member's bill comes before federal parliament.

Mr Turnbull said on Saturday there was a mood in the coalition party room for a free vote on the issue.

"As to whether there would be a majority in favour of same-sex marriage in the House of Representatives and the Senate, I don't know," he told Network Ten.

He said he believed if the coalition had allowed a conscience vote when the issue was debated in the last parliament it would have made no difference to the outcome.

"There nonetheless would not have been the numbers to get it passed," Mr Turnbull said.

He reiterated his support for gay marriage.

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young flagged her party would re-introduce a private members bill on gay marriage when parliament resumes in a fortnight.

"This parliament can achieve marriage equality but it will take all sides working together to make it happen," she said in a statement.

She put the call out for politicians from other parties to co-sponsor the bill.

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