Journo wanted to help abuse victims

A JOURNALIST has told an inquiry that she wrote a series of newspaper articles about child sexual abuse by priests because she wanted to help the victims.

Newcastle Herald journalist Joanne McCarthy's articles, over two years from 2010, led to the establishment of the special commission of inquiry into child abuse allegations in the Hunter region and won her a top national award for investigative journalism.

"It was my only objective," Ms McCarthy told Commissioner Margaret Cunneen in the Newcastle Supreme Court on Monday.

"It was about having the victims and their families looked after.

"I didn't want to go the police.

"I wanted the police to investigate."

Ms Cunneen is examining how police and Maitland/Newcastle Catholic Church priests and officials handled child sex allegations, particularly those involving Fr Denis McAlinden and Fr James Fletcher, who are now dead.

Some of Ms McCarthy's articles were based on information from whistleblower Detective Chief inspector Peter Fox who asserted that church leaders covered up crimes and were assisted by a "Catholic mafia" within police ranks.

A succession of police took to the witness stand during the commission's first session last month denying Det Insp Fox's allegations.

Ms McCarthy, who will continue giving evidence on Tuesday, said the community, the media and politicians had to overcome a "but-this-is-the-church" attitude and ensure child sexual abuse crimes were appropriately investigated and victims cared for.

Earlier on Monday the officer in charge of a taskforce investigating complaints by four alleged victims of the two priests, Detective Sergeant Jeffery Little, said a police report on the matter by Det Insp Fox was "written on a saddle of lies".

Sergeant Little said the report included "significant" inaccuracies and comments made by Det Insp Fox were "a manipulation of the truth".

"I was absolutely mortified by (his) comments that the strike force was a sham and set up to fail," Sgt Little said.

Ms Cunneen is scheduled to report her findings to the state government by September 30.

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12 soldiers killed in Lebanon clashes

Three soldiers died in a clash with supporters of anti-Hezbollah sheik Ahmed al-Assir in Lebanon. Source: AAP

TWELVE soldiers have been killed in clashes with supporters of a radical Sunni cleric in southern Lebanon, the army says, in violence tied to rising sectarian tensions fanned by the Syrian conflict.

The fighting began on Sunday on the outskirts of the city of Sidon and intensified on Monday morning, witnesses and local media said, spreading to parts of the nearby Palestinian Ain al-Helweh camp.

It is the worst violence to hit Lebanon since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, which has exacerbated sectarian tensions in the country, particularly between Shi'ite supporters of the Syrian regime, and Sunni backers of the uprising.

The Lebanese press warned that the country "finds itself before a decisive test", evoking the spectre of the civil war that devastated the nation between 1975 and 1990.

The violence in Sidon began when supporters of Salafi cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir opened fire on an army checkpoint on Sunday afternoon.

Witnesses said the fighting had intensified on Monday, reporting heavy gunfire and the sound of mortar and rocket fire in the Abra neighbourhood on the eastern outskirts of the coastal city.

"The clashes are very violent, we can hear intense rocket fire and gunfire every few minutes," an Abra resident told AFP.

An army spokesman told AFP that 12 soldiers had been killed since the fighting began on Sunday, and medical sources reported at least 35 wounded, mostly civilians.

A source close to Assir said at least five of his supporters had been killed in the fighting.

Assir's brother told AFP that the cleric and his supporters were inside Abra's Bilal Bin Rabah mosque, where Assir preaches, with the National News Agency saying the army was "metres" away.

"There has been a decision taken to finish us off, but we're resisting up until now," Amjad al-Assir told AFP by phone.

"Sheikh Assir will stay in the mosque until the last drop of blood."

Assir was a virtual unknown before the conflict in Syria began in March 2011, but has made headlines for his vocal criticism of Lebanon's Shi'ite group Hezbollah, and its alliance with the Syrian regime.

He has accused the Lebanese army of backing the powerful movement and turning a blind eye to both its weapons and its dispatch of fighters to battle alongside Syrian troops against rebel forces.

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Hearings wrap up for ex-Gunns boss

FORMER Gunns chairman John Gay has been remanded on bail until the beginning of his trial on insider trading charges.

Mr Gay is scheduled to front the Tasmanian Supreme Court in Launceston from August 5 after preliminary proceedings hearings were concluded on Monday.

He has pleaded not guilty to two charges of insider trading in which it is alleged he sold 3.4 million shares, worth around $3 million, with knowledge about Gunns' performance that was not generally available to the market.

Defence lawyer Neil Clelland SC cross-examined corporate valuer Wayne Lonergan, who prepared two reports for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission on how a "hypothetical investor" would behave with information known only to the company's board.

Mr Lonergan told the Launceston magistrates Court such an investor would have been "seriously disturbed" by information the board held on the company's performance in October and November 2009.

"The company had been historically profitable," Mr Lonergan said.

"What they're now looking at ... is a very significant deterioration.

"That's a very serious situation."

Mr Lonergan said stockbrokers were forecasting a modest downturn in profits, while Gunns management was expecting a decline of more than 100 per cent.

Gunns reported a 98 per cent deterioration in half yearly earnings in February 2010 and its share price plummeted.

Mr Lonergan said stockbrokers had described the unexpected result as "a shocker".

The court had previously been told Mr Gay had disposed of the shares to organise his affairs after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He kept another eight million shares in the company, which collapsed into administration last September.

Mr Gay's trial is expected to run for two to three weeks.

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Another Dreamliner makes emergency landing

A BOEING 787 Dreamliner jet was forced to make an emergency landing during an internal US flight because of a problem with its brake system, United Airlines says.

"United flight 94 from Houston to Denver returned to Houston on Sunday due to a brake indicator issue," the US carrier said in a statement.

"Following standard operating procedures, as a precautionary measure, the flight landed in emergency status. The aircraft landed safely at 11.58am CT and our maintenance team is conducting a review of the aircraft," the statement continued.

The flight had departed nearly three hours earlier, at 9.12am local time (0014 AEST Monday).

A spokeswoman for Boeing, which makes the Dreamliner, said the problem with the braking system forced the plane "back to base", without giving details of the malfunction or how long it might take to repair it.

Leach said a Boeing field service representative was on the scene in Houston to help the airline with the issue, including getting the aeroplane back into service and dealing with stranded passengers.

It marks the latest problem to plague Boeing's flagship plane and at least the third in a month.

An All Nippon Airways flight on the Dreamliner was cancelled on June 12 when an engine would not start. A day earlier, a Singapore-bound flight operated by Japan Airlines had to turn back mid-flight because of a problem with the anti-icing system.

The worldwide fleet of Dreamliners was grounded for four months earlier this year when problems were discovered with its battery systems.

A global grounding order was issued in January after lithium-ion batteries overheated on two different planes, with one of them catching fire while the aircraft was parked.

Boeing admitted in April that despite months of testing it did not know the root cause of the problems, but rolled out modifications it said would ensure the issue did not recur.

Nevertheless, in a bid to show it was back on track after the technical issues with the jetliner, the aerospace company announced at the Paris Air Show on June 18 that it was launching a new version of the Dreamliner, with over 100 orders worth about $US30 billion ($A32.71 billion).

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Mandela improving, not about to die: Mbeki

ANTI-APARTHEID icon Nelson Mandela is improving in hospital as he fights a recurrent lung infection and is not "going to die tomorrow", former South African president Thabo Mbeki says.

The 94-year-old who became South Africa's first black president is on Friday spending his 14th day in hospital where he has been listed in serious condition.

Mbeki said on local PowerFM radio that he is in contact with the family and medical staff of the man he succeeded in 1999.

"Naturally ... I maintain very close contact with the family and the doctors about Nelson Mandela's condition," he told the radio late Thursday.

"And I think that we need to understand what has been said publicly by government, which is that Nelson Mandela is in fact improving in terms of his health.

"I don't think that anybody should kind of entertain some wrong notion, that Nelson Mandela is going to die tomorrow, he is not going to."

Mandela's latest hospitalisation, the fourth in seven months, has been met with a sense of resignation among many South Africans, who have come to terms with their icon's mortality.

On Thursday the Pretoria hospital treating Mandela received 20,000 litres in emergency water deliveries after a planned maintenance water cut lasted longer than expected, radio 702 reported.

The maintenance started on Tuesday and was due to end on Wednesday, but was prolonged because a problem arose as technicians tried to switch back supplies.

The water supplies were restored early on Friday, the municipality of Pretoria said.

Mandela, who was rushed to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 with a recurrent lung infection, is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on July 18.

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Environment holds business risk: UN

RISING temperatures, storms linked to climate change and growing competition for water and land point to tough times ahead for the business sector, but also a chance for profitable innovation, the United Nations says.

Citing the ravages of floods in Australia in 2010-11 which cost insurer Munich Re $US350 million ($A382 million) and mining group Rio Tinto another $US245 million, the report on Friday said companies had no choice but to adapt.

"From extreme weather events, to rising pressures on finite natural resources, changes in the global environment will increasingly impact operating costs, markets for products, the availability of raw materials, and the reputation of businesses, from finance and tourism, to healthcare and transport," said the UN Environment Program document.

"The future of the private sector will increasingly hinge on the ability of businesses to adapt to the world's rapidly changing environment and to develop goods and services that can reduce the impacts of climate change, water scarcity, emissions of harmful chemicals, and other environmental concerns."

In the tourism sector, for example, a 1.4-2.2C rise in average winter temperatures would likely mean the closure of more than half the ski resorts operating in the northeastern United States in 30 years.

The report said Earth-warming greenhouse gas emissions were projected to double in the next 50 years, leading to a global average surface temperature increase of 3-6C by the end of the century.

As for water scarcity, it said platinum mines in South Africa's Olifants River system faced 10 times higher water charges by 2020 as they compete with local communities for the ever scarcer commodity.

Global electricity demand could be over 70 per cent higher in 2035 than 2009, said the report -- and pointed to more frequent heat waves associated with climate change affecting grid reliability.

But while the risks to business were "significant", they also presented unique opportunities for companies that seized the growing demand for greener technology, investments and services, said the report entitled "GEO-5 for Business: Impacts of a Changing Environment on the Corporate Sector."

More than 80 per cent of the capital needed to address climate change may come from the private sector.

"This can bring about significant 'green economy' investment opportunities in the finance sector for green buildings, energy-efficiency technology, sustainable transport and other low-carbon products and infrastructure," the UNEP said.

"In cities, around 60 per cent of the infrastructure needed to meet the needs of the world's urban population by 2050 still needs to be built, presenting significant business opportunities for greener urban construction and retrofits."

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Christian schools defend abstinence

TRY burping and blowing bubbles instead of sex, Christian students are being urged.

Among a "101 things to do instead of doing it" pamphlet recently given to students at Caloundra Christian College in Queensland, were suggestions such as horse riding, eating something new, blowing bubbles, playing ball without the ball and a burping contest.

Christian Schools Australia CEO Steve O'Doherty says he's surprised by the public attention the pamphlet is receiving as it's hardly anything new that Christians preach abstinence.

"Christian schools teach that the safest way of protecting yourself medically and emotionally is to wait until a stable, married relationship," he told AAP.

"It's hardly front-page news that Christians have that perspective."

Mr O'Doherty said that while abstinence was the preferred option for children and teenagers, Christian schools taught a healthy message about sex.

"We teach kids about safe sex, we teach them about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and what you need to do protect yourself against them," he said.

"But we tell the full story too - there are emotional dangers in committing yourself to a sexual relationship and the best way to protect yourself medically and emotionally is abstinence."

While the pamphlet, which was written by a third party brought into to help the school with its curriculum, carries some light suggestions, it also has a serious side, Mr O'Doherty says.

Among 33 actual reasons young people have given for abstaining are: "I'm only 14, I have the rest of my life" and "If I'm hurt too many times, I might miss out on something great because I'm so afraid of being hurt again."

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NSW fair trading receives weird calls

IF you need help with a dead body or you're a prostitute dealing with a stingy John who wants a refund, who you gonna call?

Surprisingly, some have phoned the NSW fair trading department with these kind of questions.

More than 900,000 calls are received by the fair trading centre at Parramatta each year and there are always several that "not only flummox, but entertain and amuse" its staff, commissioner Rod Stowe says.

Some are quirky, others a little more disturbing.

Recently, someone contacted fair trading inquiring what to do with a dead body.

When told to contact police, the caller asked: "What if the person is not dead yet?" before wondering "If I discover the body, am I responsible for the funeral costs?"

A request about refunds was also fielded by fair trading staff.

That is, for a prostitute who had been paid but whose client hadn't been able to "claim the service," Mr Stowe said.

"The fair trading officer informed the caller that as she had been prepared to fulfil the contract she was not obliged to give a refund," he said.

A lady called in asking for advice about what action could be taken against a taxidermist who over-stuffed a dog, distorting its appearance and angering its owner who said it "no longer resembled the animal he had been when alive."

When her hat blew off on a windy day, another lady sought redress saying the hat "was not fit for purpose."

A real estate agent asked for assistance after tenants vacated a property without notice claiming the place was haunted.

And "as for the owner of a duplex distressed by a builder moving a rock the size of her hand that allegedly modified the appearance of the property, there are some dilemmas best left unresolved, some stones best left unturned," Mr Stowe said.

"There is no end to the droll and dry inquiries that come to fair trading," Mr Stowe said.

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Ban Ki-moon arrives in China for talks

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has arrived in Beijing for high-level talks with Chinese officials on North Korea, Syria and other issues, his spokesman says.

Ban will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and senior foreign policy officials during his stay, spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

Ban "expects to discuss a wide range of matters pertaining to peace and security, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Mali and Syria," Nesirky said in an e-mail to AFP.

Ban will also meet China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cabinet member Yang Jiechi, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying confirmed on Tuesday.

"The two sides will exchange views over international and internal issues of common interest," she said.

"China's position on the Korean peninsula nuclear issue is consistent and clear," Hua said.

"China is committed to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, as well as the settlement of the issue through dialogue and consultation."

US President Barack Obama said China was taking a tougher line against North Korea's nuclear program as he credited new president Xi with taking more responsibility in the world.

UN diplomats also said that the worsening Syrian conflict and North Korea would top Ban's list of discussion topics in Beijing.

"Ban has taken a hard line on Syria, where China has sided with Russia. But North Korea is also an urgent problem for everyone," a UN Security Council diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

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Port to go, NSW public sector to tighten

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird says his budget will show a continuation of efforts to manage expenses. Source: AAP

THE world's largest port in Newcastle will be sold off by the NSW government as part of Treasurer Mike Baird's mostly prudent budget that included only a handful of nasties.

There are fears more public servants will lose their jobs as the beleaguered sector struggles to find another $750 million in savings over the next two years.

The government is also stepping up efforts to chase people over unpaid fines while doctors say a 5.2 per cent increase in health funding isn't enough to meet growing demand.

But the big announcement is that the government will sell off the state's last major port with the privatisation of the facility in Newcastle.

The 99-year lease is expected to net the government up to $700 million, half of which will be returned to the growth city north of Sydney to give it a light rail network.

The treasurer says his third budget "consolidates two years of tough decisions, two years of reform, two years of stringent expense control".

The government is estimating a smaller than expected deficit of $329 million for 2013/14, bouncing back into the black the following year by $829 million.

The figures, however, change when estimated under new accounting methods that bring NSW into line with global standards.

The new accounting standards have a return to surplus not happening until 2015/16 and a deficit of $1.89 billion for 2013/14.

The government says marketing and rating agencies will "look through that" as there is no actual change in the state's cash or debt position.

It follows years of savage cutbacks to rein in government expenditure, including an unpopular public sector wages cap and the reform of the police death and disability scheme.

And even though Mr Baird says his "tough decisions are beginning to bear fruit", the pain isn't over.

Public servants appear to have been spared the big job cuts of previous years but the treasurer has conceded more could come over the next 12 months.

"There's no number ... I am open at every opportunity to make the public sector more efficient."

The efficiency dividend and wages cap imposed on the sector is expected to net the government almost $19 billion in the six years to 2016/17.

On the plus side, 1300 businesses will be spared from paying from payroll tax next year while $302 million will speed up new home building.

A massive $60 billion will be ploughed into new roads, rail, hospitals and schools over the next four years as the government rolls out the largest urban road project and largest rail project in the country.

Unions are urging the government not to ship the promised infrastructure in from overseas in flat packs while the opposition claims families will bear the brunt of the budget's cuts to hospital resources and frontline services, despite rising revenues.

Mr Baird hailed his budget for slowing expense growth, accelerating spending on infrastructure and reducing net debt - "an extraordinary trifecta in the light of the challenges we face".

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell told parliament the government was "living within its means".

Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Carmel Tebbutt, said the "disappointing" budget had reduced education spending from 22.4 to 21 per cent.

"Axing the jobs of another 315 high school staff is the worst possible strategy when we are meant to be promoting greater Year 12 retention," she said in a statement.

She said the budget for school infrastructure remained at the same level as 10 years ago, despite higher enrolments and the need to upgrade physical assets.

Meanwhile, Greens MP and spokeswoman on Family and Community Services, Jan Barham, said the homeless had been neglected in the budget, which had been an opportunity to deliver much-needed increases for services that support disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

"Keeping families safe and together and ensuring they have a stable home are fundamental aims that needed more investment than this Budget delivered," Ms Barham said in a statement.

The NSW Teachers Federation welcomed confirmation that the Gonski schools agreement would be funded over the next six years, but was unhappy that tertiary students would suffer as a result.

"The Gonski agreement will provide significantly increased funding to public schools and distribute it more fairly to the students who need it the most," said Teachers Federation President, Maurie Mulheron.

"It is bitterly disappointing, however, that TAFE colleges will continue to suffer funding cuts and students face increased course fees to offset the costs of the Gonski agreement."

Mr Mulheron said the government should be looking to raise revenues through taxation reform and other measures, rather than cutting public services.

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