Carbon cop handed tough new powers

As part of the government's carbon tax package released yesterday, the new Clean Energy Regulator will be given extensive powers to conduct investigations on company premises, compel people to testify even if it requires providing self-incriminating evidence and to make copies of sensitive documents, according to a report by The Australian.

The new regulator will enforce the new six cents per litre fuel tax that will be charged to some 60,000 businesses, among other measures introduced as part of the carbon tax, the report said.

The new powers given to the regulator come with the threat of up to 10 years in prison or up to $1.1 million in fines for corporations that do not cooperate or who break the carbon tax laws.

Australian Tax Office data shows that this tax increase will directly affect up to 60,000 businesses from 1 July, 2012, and nearly 100,000 companies when an additional 40,000 road transport businesses are captured by the tax on 1 July, 2014," an MCA spokesman said.

He added that it would raise $3.3 billion in the first three years and $16bn to 2020, including the change to aviation excise.

The government has consistently claimed the tax would directly apply to only 500 firms. Last night it argued the fuel treatment in the scheme did not change those figures as the companies concerned faced no extra administrative arrangements and were not liable to directly pay for pollution permits. This was limited to about 500 companies that emitted more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year and would be liable to pay for pollution permits.

The MCA spokesman said that, based on Australian Taxation Office data, from July 1 next year, 22,500 construction firms, 5300 manufacturing businesses and 1500 mining operators would pay more for fuel.

A spokesman for Mr Combet said the government announced on July 10 that there would be a carbon price for off-road business fuel use through reduced fuel tax credits -- but this would not apply to the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries. He said households paid 38c a litre in fuel excise and would pay no more.

"By contrast, off-road business fuel use is normally free of excise, due to fuel tax credits," he said. "The government will reduce the fuel tax credits by around 6c a litre. This will not impose any additional administrative burdens because businesses already fill out the forms for fuel tax credits, but it will create incentives to improve fuel efficiency and lower pollution from the transport sector."

Tony Abbott, speaking yesterday in the northern NSW electorate held by Tony Windsor, taunted Julia Gillard to resume her carbon tax promotion tour. "The Prime Minister is hiding . . . refusing to talk to the Australian people," the Opposition Leader said. "Not only did she not wear out the shoe leather, she didn't even wear the shoes in. At the first sign of a blister she's back in her office hiding . . . because she knows the more she talks about this tax the less people like it.

Truck driver arrested and charged over hacking of NBN provider

The national broadband network (NBN) was not affected by the alleged hacking of a service provider, a spokesman for NBN Co Limited says,

"NBN Co has evaluated its systems and controls and can confirm the national broadband network was not affected by this incident," the spokesman for the company responsible for rolling out the network said in a statement.

"The company said to have been involved is not yet offering services over the NBN.

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"NBN Co works closely with appropriate law enforcement and government agencies to ensure the security and protection of the national broadband network. We welcome the AFP's ongoing efforts in fighting cybercrime."

A 25-year-old Cowra man has been charged with one count of unauthorised modification of data to cause impairment and 48 counts of unauthorised access to, or modification of, restricted data.

In June, Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigators found a compromise to Platform Networks, a wholesale internet provider in Sydney that is one of the contracted providers of the NBN release. NBN Co says it is not yet providing it services to the NBN.

While Platform Networks had strong cyber security measures in place, even the best security systems are only as strong as the weakest link - it only takes one user with a weak password to put an entire network at risk," AFP national manager for High Tech Crime Operations Neil Gaughan said in the statement.

The AFP has been investigating the Cowra man for six months.

"The AFP will allege this man was motivated by ego in his illegal hacking, proving his skills after complaining he could not get work in the IT sector. He is known to use the online nickname Evil."

He has been charged with one count of unauthorised modification of data to cause impairment, and 48 counts of unauthorised access to, or modification of restricted data.

He is due to appear in Orange Local Court on Wednesday.

The first charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail while the second count carries a maximum sentence of two years.

Australian Federal Government signs refugee deal with Malaysia

Government now says that those more than 500 claims for asylum will be processed in Australia.

Under the controversial plan, Malaysia will have veto powers to reject asylum seekers if it doesn’t approve of them.

Australia will pay for transfers, as well as health and education costs for those asylum seekers once they are in Malaysia.

The cost of the plan has previously been put at $292 million.

The Government has called the agreement “groundbreaking” and a “true burden-sharing arrangement” that is a step towards a regional plan to stop people smugglers.

In a statement, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the agreement would see up to 800 asylum seekers who arrive illegally by boat sent to Malaysia.

In return, Australia will accept another 4000 extra processed refugees from Malaysia over four years.

“Under the arrangement signed today, those who arrived in Australia before 25 July will not be transferred to Malaysia,” the statement says.

“Consequently, the people who arrived prior to today’s announcement, currently being detained on Christmas Island, will now be processed in Australia.”

Mr Bowen and Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Dato' Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein signed the agreement at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

Ms Gillard and Mr Bowen said the arrangement “reaffirms Malaysia’s commitment that transferees will be treated with dignity and respect in accordance with human rights standards”.

Asylum claims will be considered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Government says the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been closely consulted on the transfer arrangement.

Asylum seekers who arrived in Australia before today will not be transferred to Malaysia.

They will continue to be processed on Christmas Island.

Ms Gillard said the deal was a "true burden-sharing" arrangement and that the deal would "smash the people smugglers' business model."

The Prime Minister issued a stern warning to people smugglers who "prey on the desperation of people" to give up now.

She also had a message for asylum seekers considering making the boat trip to Australia.

"Do not do that in the false hope that you will be able to have your claim processed in Australia."

In Kuala Lumpur, Mr Bowen said the deal "sends a very clear signal that Malaysia and Australia are serious about stopping people smuggling".

"As Immigration Minister I hope I never get another call telling me that people have drowned trying to make it to Australia and that children as young as two-months old have drowned trying to come to Australia," he said following the signing.

"This arrangement we've signed today is very clear indication of our commitment."

"Today is not the end of the road. In many senses today is just the beginning. The people who doubted our resolve to get this arrangement this far will test our resolve further. People smugglers will test our resolve further.

AFL player Andrew Lovett acquitted in rape case

Former Essendon and St Kilda player Andrew Lovett has been found not guilty of two counts of rape.

The Victorian County Court jury handed down its verdict this afternoon after beginning deliberations on Thursday afternoon.

Lovett wept as the jury of seven women and five men acquitted him of all charges, and then hugged his mother, his lawyer and several supporters.

Lovett did not comment outside court, but his manager, Alex McDonald, said Lovett was appreciative of the support he received from his family and friends.

Mr McDonald would not rule out Lovett making an AFL comeback, and said the footballer would consider several options over the coming days.

Lovett and his then-St Kilda teammate, Jason Gram, met the complainant, a model, and her friend at the Royal Saxon Hotel in Richmond on December 23, 2009, and went back to Gram's Port Melbourne apartment.

He was accused of raping a girl as she slept at a teammate's Melbourne house in December 2009.

Lovett testified that the sex was consensual.

The trial, before Judge Meryl Sexton, heard evidence that the girl believed during the sexual encounter that Lovett was another St Kilda player, Jason Gram.

Lovett told the court the girl was a willing participant and he was “dumbfounded” by the rape allegation.

Lovett and Gram had earlier met the model and her friend at the Royal Saxon Hotel in Richmond during the Saints' end-of-year celebration.

They left the hotel just after midnight and went back to Gram's apartment, where the model was put to bed to sober up.

She claims she fell asleep and woke up to Lovett having sex with her, but Lovett said the sex was consensual.

Lovett pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape.

After being found not guilty, he hugged his mother, other members of his family, friends and his lawyer, as tears streamed down his face.

Double murder investigation after young golfer and sister

Double murder investigation was underway after a talented golfer and his eight-year-old sister were killed in a house fire.

Thomas Sharkey, 21, and his younger sibling Bridget were killed in the blaze which police believe was started deliberately.

Their parents Angela, 46, and Tommy, 55, managed to escape the fire in Helensburgh, near Glasgow, after an off-duty policeman raised the alarm.

They were both being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

The tragic eight-year-old girl is believed to have died after coming home from a planned sleepover because she missed her parents.

The heat of the blaze caused a downstairs window to explode and left an area of severe scorching around the front door of the property in Scott Court.

Detective Chief Inspector Anne McKerchar, the officer in charge of the investigation, added: “This is a tragic event made worse by the fact that it was a deliberate act.”

She appealed for anyone with information to come forward as a “matter of urgency”. Police refused to name the victims until all next of kin were informed but confirmed a 21-year-old man had died.

They said a 55-year-old man, his wife, 46, and their eight-year-old daughter were taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where the young girl died a short time later.

The man was later transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but both parents were being treated for serious burns.

The tragedy happened while Thomas Sharkey was home from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, USA, where he was working on improving his golf.

A member of staff in a local supermarket, who did not want to be named, said: "It's absolutely tragic. The little girl was in here just last night. She was very talented and even drew us a card at Easter."

She said the family had recently returned from a trip to the US to see Thomas junior. He was a member of Helensburgh Golf Club, where he was a former junior and senior champion.

According to posts on Georgia Southern University's website, he described himself as "ambitious and competitive" and his main hobbies were golf and football.

Fraser Hall, a professional at Helensburgh Golf Club was too upset to discuss the tragedy yesterday. "Things are just too raw just now," he said.

Snow problems ease in south, but ice returning

Icy winter storm appears to have loosened its grip on parts of the country but forecasters are predicting one last blast with snow, hail and squalls pushing in from the south.

WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said people should not be fooled if the sun was shining in their area.

The North Island was in for round two with a second pool of cloud, snow, hail and squalls pushing in from the south and southwest, he said.

Sleet fell in parts of west Auckland, with snow clouds clearly visible over the city - an extremely unusual sight for the region.

The heaviest snow in decades has fallen along the Kaimai Ranges, with heavy snow clearly seen above 500m and lighter snow estimated to have fallen to about 300m on Mt Te Aroha.

The next burst of energy is likely to be the last main one. It brought blizzards to Christchurch and other parts of Canterbury this morning and was now moving towards Wellington and southern Wairarapa, and in the west moving over Taranaki and up the west coast towards northern and central parts of the North Island.

Heavy snow continues to fall at Stratford, Taranaki, and WeatherWatch.co.nz says more is to come this afternoon before easing and clearing.

Heavy isolated hail storms are also expected right up into Auckland and beyond.

It snowed in parts of Wellington, down to sea level, but was isolated and not settling, Mr Duncan said.

The secondary burst could bring snow to the top of the Waitakeres during isolated squally showers, with a higher chance of snow on the Hunua Ranges to the south and the Coromandel ranges to the east.

Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin Airport have all cleared their runways of snow, and limited flights resumed on Monday afternoon.

Lines company Orion says power has been restored to all but a few small pockets in Canterbury, with about 50 homes still without power.

About 1,700 homes in Christchurch were without power earlier on Monday afternoon, including homes in the earthquake-affected suburbs of Burwood and Spencerville.

In Christchurch, where Radio New Zealand reporters measured snow as deep as 15cm, it was falling as fast as contractors could clear it on major routes, including around the four avenues.

Christchurch Airport incident controller Geoff Eban says staff tried to clear snow from the runways and aircraft parking areas for much of the day with snow ploughs and a grader, but each time they did so, more snow fell.

The Fire Service reported power lines down in Christchurch and Rakaia, while tree branches fell on to roads with the weight of snow.

St John Ambulance attended 19 incidents, in which people were injured by slipping on ice or snow, around the South Island during the morning.

Some firms are reporting only a handful of personnel were able to make it in to work.

Kiwi still missing on Norwegian island

Man accused of the killing spree in Norway was deeply influenced by a small group of American bloggers and writers who have warned for years about the threat from Islam, lacing his 1,500-page manifesto with quotations from them, as well as copying multiple passages from the tract of the Unabomber.

In the document he posted online, Anders Behring Breivik, who is accused of bombing government buildings and killing scores of young people at a Labor Party camp, showed that he had closely followed the acrimonious American debate over Islam.

His manifesto, which denounced Norwegian politicians as failing to defend the country from Islamic influence, quoted Robert Spencer, who operates the Jihad Watch Web site, 64 times, and cited other Western writers who shared his view that Muslim immigrants pose a grave danger to Western culture.

More broadly, the mass killings in Norway, with their echo of the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City by an antigovernment militant, have focused new attention around the world on the subculture of anti-Muslim bloggers and right-wing activists and renewed a debate over the focus of counterterrorism efforts.

A dual New Zealand/Norwegian national was thought to be on the island at the time of the attack.

It has been 48 hours since Anders Behring Breivik opened fire, killing 86 of the 700 youth staying at the camp.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said this morning that there had been no update on the Kiwi's whereabouts since Saturday night.

A MFAT spokesperson said she didn't have any information on how many people were still missing on the island and whether any more bodies had been found.

The New Zealand embassy in The Hague, which was accredited to Norway, was in direct contact with the New Zealander's next of kin in Norway.

The Norwegian authorities were still working to locate all those thought to be on the island at the time of the attack.

MFAT would not disclose the person's sex or age. The girl's relatives in New Zealand had been informed she was believed to be on the island.

Norway,Friday shooting trial start

Calling himself a crusader against a tide of Islam in a rambling 1,500-page online manifesto, the 32-year-old mass murderer wants the opportunity to explain actions he deemed "atrocious, but necessary".

Lawyer Geir Lippestad said his client had admitted to Friday's shootings at a Labor youth camp and a bomb that killed seven people in Oslo's government district, but that he denies any criminal guilt.

"He has been politically active and found out himself that he did not succeed with usual political tools and so resorted to violence," Lippestad told TV2 news.

"I await a medical assessment of him," he said.

That Breivik deliberately surrendered to police when finally confronted on the tiny island of Utoeya after cold bloodily gunning down 86 youngsters underlines his desire to grab a public platform to deliver his radical thoughts.

In other instances of gunmen going on killing sprees the perpetrators often commit suicide when the police arrive or actively provoke officers to shoot them dead.

It was not clear how long Breivik will have to talk in court since the hearing will be about custody and he will not be required to enter a guilty or innocent plea.

Friday's shooting spree lasted for around 90 minutes before Breivik surrendered to police, who immediately arrested him. Police said on Sunday that Breivik had ammunition left over.

"Breivik is being held at Oslo's police headquarters," Al Jazeera's Harry Smith, reporting from Norway's capital, said. "On Monday, he will be transferred across town for an appearance at the city's criminal court."

"His lawyer has said on that occasion [Breivik] will explain fully what he's done, and more importantly, why he did it."

Witnesses described scenes of horror among the more than 500 people attending the youth camp. Some who tried to swim to safety were even shot in the water.

The chief surgeon at a hospital treating victims of Norway's camp massacre says the killer used special bullets designed to disintegrate inside the body and cause maximum internal damage.

And ballistics experts say so-called dum-dum bullets also are lighter in weight, can be fired with greater accuracy over varying distances and are commonly are used by air marshals and hunters of small animals.

Sveinung Sponheim, the acting police commissioner, said that all the dead had now been removed from the island and "taken to the coroner's morgue where the autopsies will be carried out".

During weekend interrogation, Breivik told police that his attacks were "cruel" but "necessary".

While he "admitted responsibility", police said, his lawyer Geir Lippestad said he was not accepting "criminal responsibility", and that his client felt he had done "nothing reprehensible".

The attacks have caused outrage in Norway amid calls for the reinstatement of the death penalty, given the maximum prison sentence the perpetrator can face is 21 years' imprisonment.

Police have not ruled out the involvement of a second gunman, and on Sunday they detained several people in a swoop on an Oslo property thought to be connected to the attacks. They were released shortly afterwards and no explosives were found.

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