Updated June 01, 2018 16:38:41
A camera set up to monitor the traffic has copped an eyeful of nature after a curious cockatoo was filmed continuously popping its head in and out of frame. The camera, set up on Murgatroyd Road just south of Cairns in north Queensland, captured the bird, which must have been perched on top the equipment, playfully poking around the lens before giving it a long stare with its beady, black eye. A 30-second clip of the encounter was uploaded to the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Road's Facebook page on Friday afternoon where it quickly gained attention. In less than an hour, the original video was shared by more than 3,100 people and had been viewed more than 60,000 times. Another hour on and more than 134,000 people had watched the clip. Brisbane Bird Vet owner Dr Adrian Gallagher said the cockatoo could have been sussing out its own reflection. "In a situation like this, it could be curious or it may recognise itself in the lens of the camera," Dr Gallagher said. "If it's seeing its reflection it may be communicating in some way. "They're very social creatures, and they recognise individuals. A lot of them have friendship groups like we do. "In a flock they'll have a friendship structure, so this guy might be curious, wondering if [his reflection] is part of the flock, how it recognises this being, asking 'what are you doing in my environment, what are you doing in my territory'." Two years ago a traffic camera in Canada captured a snowy owl in flight, looking stunning against a white winter background above a Montreal freeway. External Link:Department of Transport Queensland on Facebook: Cockatoo takes peak into traffic camera Topics:animals,human-interest,offbeat,cairns-4870,qld,brisbane-4000 First posted June 01, 2018 15:16:40 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-01/video-captures-curious-cockatoo-peeking-into-traffic-camera/9825024
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AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-30/julian-teaching/9811104 Updated May 29, 2018 21:35:25
![]() The new Brabham racing car will be put through its paces at The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend, South Australia, with the car officially launched in Australia on Tuesday night. The Brabham BT62, which was unveiled at Australia House in London on May 3, was spotted at The Bend nearly a week ago by car enthusiasts in its new livery. The 7.77-kilometre Tailem Bend track has now been named as the official Australian testing facility for the car. ![]() David Brabham, who tested the car at the new circuit, said The Bend was a world-class circuit and a testament to the race circuit's owner, Adelaide businessman Sam Shahin. "The track gives the car and the driver a great workout and we look forward to working with The Bend team as our testing programme continues," Mr Brabham said in a statement. Dr Shahin said he was proud to partner with Brabham Automotive on its testing programme for the BT62. The cars will be built at the ZF Lemforder facility in Edinburgh Parks in Adelaide's western suburbs in the shadow of the former General Motors Holden automotive plant. The company has said the build would be limited to 70 cars to mark the years since Sir Jack Brabham launched his racing career. ![]() Brabham Automotive's commercial director, Dan Marks, said the company had chosen South Australia due to its "rich automotive heritage". "Adelaide, in particular, is a centre of excellence for engineering capability and capacity," he said. "When you consider Adelaide's famed motorsport connections, there is simply no better place for us to be manufacturing high-performance cars." Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride said ZF Lemforder, and its associated investment group Fusion Capital, wanted a 400-bus contract from the State Government to underpin its Brabham investment. "The critical mass of the bus contract would underpin Fusion's plans for the Brabham supercars and allow other niche projects, including electric vehicles, to become a reality here," he said. The first cars are expected to be delivered in late 2018. Topics:industry,automotive,sa,adelaide-5000,united-kingdom First posted May 29, 2018 21:02:44 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/adelaide-brabham-car-to-be-raced-at-the-bend/9813490 David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to return to competitive cricket through Darwin Strike League5/28/2018 Updated May 29, 2018 09:20:23
![]() Banned cricketing duo David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will make their return to competitive cricket in Darwin in July. The pair will take part in the month-long Darwin Strike League, which features both 50-over and T20 format games, and is designed to give emerging local players experience against interstate and international talent. Bancroft will be available for the entire competition, while Warner will play in two One Day matches on July 21 and 22. Negotiations began with the players after former Australian vice-captain Warner, who is not allowed to play for Australia or his domestic side of New South Wales for 12 months, visited the Top End in early May to run cricket clinics in Darwin and Arnhem Land. "I'm really looking forward to playing in the Strike League in July. I heard so much about the competition while I was in Darwin earlier this month that I'm keen to be part of it," Warner said in a statement on Tuesday. "We're delighted that Cameron and David will be joining us in Darwin for the Strike League, their presence and experience will be invaluable for our local players," NT Cricket CEO Joel Morrison said. New South Wales grade rules allow Warner and former captain Steve Smith, also serving a 12-month ban, to play in the meantime. It is believed Warner is also considering playing in the Global T20 Canada league, beginning June 28 and finishing July 16. Bancroft, who is serving a nine-month-long suspension also expressed early on that he was eager to make his return to cricket in the Top End. It is not yet clear how many matches the West Australian will play in the competition. Smith will make his return to competitive cricket in Canada. The trio were central to the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, where Smith and Warner concocted a plan for Bancroft to "scuff up" the match ball with a piece of yellow sticky tape. The fallout was arguably the most dramatic in Australian cricket history. However, their bans have offered a unique opportunity for cricket administrators in the NT to bolster the Strike League, which is the one of the few semi-professional cricket competitions played during Australian winter, in the Top End's sunny dry season. Warner made his mark in the T20 format and has scored six centuries across all competitions with an average of 35. Bancroft has also been a consistent performer in the T20 format and averages 33. Bancroft faced the prospect of moving interstate to play club cricket if the exemption was not granted, with the New South Wales Cricket Association saying it would welcome him. UK County club Surrey also reportedly expressed interest in the suspended batsman's services. Bancroft's previous county contract with Somerset was ripped up in the wake of the scandal, despite the ban not preventing him, or Smith and Warner, from playing overseas. Warner and Smith both had their multi-million-dollar Indian Premier League contracts cancelled. ![]() First posted May 29, 2018 09:12:22 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/david-warner-cameron-bancroft-return-competitive-cricket-darwin/9810516 Updated May 27, 2018 14:18:18
A police manhunt is underway in Perth's southern suburbs for a man police have described as armed and "very dangerous". Malcolm Stirling Blurton, 30, is believed to be carrying a number of firearms and "other weapons", and police say his behaviour is unpredictable. He was last seen in the Armadale and Gosnells area, and police say he may be driving a silver vehicle, which could be a hatchback or SUV. He is described as dark-skinned, approximately 175cms tall, with a medium build and short brown hair, possibly with a rat's tail. Acting commissioner Paul Steel said police wanted to speak with Mr Blurton about a number of crimes in the Armadale area. "Police have been conducting inquiries in relation to illicit drug use and other crimes, including several recent incidents where people were sighted with weapons," he said. He said a number of other people had been assisting police with their inquiries. "It's important to note that we believe those incidents are restricted to a small group of people, rather than being a risk to members of the public, however, Mr Blurton is considered dangerous, " Commissioner Steel said. People are warned not to approach him but to call police immediately on 131 444. Topics:law-crime-and-justice,armadale-6112,gosnells-6110 First posted May 27, 2018 13:00:46 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-27/police-seek-armed-man-in-armadale-area-south-of-perth/9805140 Great Barrier Reef $444m budget funding awarded to small foundation without tender process5/21/2018 Updated May 22, 2018 15:40:57
Labor has attacked the Federal Government's decision-making process over funding for the Great Barrier Reef. Under questioning in Senate Estimates, departmental officials revealed $444 million had been given to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation without it having to go through a tender process. The funding is proposed to be given in one payment, which is the largest donation that any Australian Government has made to a single foundation for environmental projects. Labor senator Kristina Keneally questioned why the funding wasn't allocated using a public grant process which was "competitive, open and transparent" so others, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), could apply. Senator Keneally said the foundation has six full-time members, and five part-time members. In comparison, GBRMPA told the ABC it had 206 full-time equivalent employees. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation idea was floated by a small group of businessmen at an airport waiting for a flight and set up in 2000. The board is comprised of representatives of Australian business, science and philanthropy and is supported by companies including BHP, Qantas, Rio Tinto, Google and Orica. The foundation is headed up by former Commonwealth Bank of Australia chairman Dr John M Schubert. "The Government still can't explain why the money went to the foundation instead of being managed through the department or the Marine Park Authority, nor can it explain why the decision was taken without the foundation even being aware that it was being considered to carry out work on a scale completely beyond its historic capacity," Senator Keneally said. ![]() The Federal Government has defended the process, with frontbencher Simon Birmingham telling Senate Estimates the foundation was best placed to do the work. "The Government obviously did due diligence in relation to the foundation. It has a history of engagement with the foundation and believes the foundation is well placed to lead effort in this regard," he said. Labor said the budget for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation would be increased 45 times, claiming its revenue for 2015 and 2016 was $9.6 million and $8 million respectively. Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Enoch accused the Turnbull Government of failing to undertake due diligence in allocating its funding for the reef. "The Government's inability to explain its decision making around a $444 million investment to just one single organisation is evidence of the absence of robust governance and leadership in managing the Great Barrier Reef," she said. "For such a large investment, I would have expected more conscientious decision making." The funding was announced by Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg in April, with the money going towards water quality, tackling the crown-of-thorns starfish, and expanding reef restoration. Mr Frydenberg said on Tuesday, partnering with the foundation provided an opportunity to "leverage funding from philanthropic and corporate sources" to complement the investment. "While accessing their own expert advice, the foundation will also work closely with the Department of the Environment and Energy and the state government department as well as independent reef advisory bodies and expert institutions such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Institute of Marine Science to ensure the investment is delivered to best effect through a range of delivery partners," he said. ![]() Ms Enoch said the Queensland Government was not consulted about the reef funding in the lead up to the federal budget. Funding arrangements between the Federal Government and the foundation are still being discussed, but public servants may be seconded to the non-government organisation to help it roll out the funding. Environment department official Dean Knudson said the department was liaising with the foundation. "The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has been around since 2000, they've been active in the space of the reef and delivering programs on the ground," he said. "This will be a significant scaling up of that organisation." "There are opportunities where it makes sense to work collaboratively with the foundation. That could include potentially seconding staff that have experience in this area either in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, ourselves or Queensland to the foundation," he said. Senator Keneally also questioned officials about the makeup of the foundation's members, but they would not comment. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has also declined to comment. Topics:great-barrier-reef,oceans-and-reefs,federal---state-issues,environment,qld,cairns-4870,australia,mackay-4740,rockhampton-4700,townsville-4810 First posted May 22, 2018 09:52:09 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-22/great-barrier-reef-funding-labor-accuse-due-diligence/9785782 Updated May 21, 2018 12:40:05
The family of an 11-year-old Perth girl who suffered severe brain injuries and lost her sight after receiving a massive electric shock at her public housing property plan to sue the WA Government for breaching its duty of care. Denishar Woods was shocked by more than 240 volts of electricity to her body when she tried to turn off a garden tap at her Beldon home in March. Levitt Robinson Solicitors confirmed this morning it had been engaged by the family to act on their behalf. Denishar was put on life support at Princess Margaret Hospital after the incident on March 3, and was not expected to survive. She was able to breathe unassisted when life support was withdrawn, although an MRI scan showed she had suffered a significant brain injury from which she is unlikely to ever recover. Denishar has remained in hospital since the accident and requires 24-hours-a-day care. ![]() Her mother, Lacey Harrison, was also injured in the accident as she tried to drag her daughter out of a puddle of electrified water. Ms Harrison said her daughter's care needs were "extreme" and she was disappointed the Government had not offered financial assistance to date. "We're not ones to ask for money, but in this instance Denishar has ultimately extreme needs they're not just everyday disability care needs," she said. Ms Harrison said she was looking forward to bringing Denishar home, but without help she would have to "struggle at home with her by myself". "She's doing it hard. She can hear us but she can't see us. She's not walking, she's not talking, she's not eating, she's not drinking we do everything for her." Ms Harrison said her daughter needed a home "fit for her needs" and the family needed certainty about Denishar's future. "Me any my children have suffered enough, we've been through enough, and we just want some kind of understanding that we're going to be OK," she said. Gerry Georgatos from the National Indigenous Critical Response Service said Denishar was due to be released from hospital next week and the family urgently needed financial assistance from the State Government to cope with her extensive and ongoing medical needs. "We don't want to wait and we can't wait for settlement in court," he said. "We're asking the State Government to step up through ministerial discretion as it has in the past for other families, to meet advance payments and to secure the immediate management of the care of young Denishar and reduce the distress levels on siblings [and] family." He said the family wanted the Government to buy a permanent house for Denishar, so they were no longer dependent on short-term public housing rentals, and an upfront payment of half a million dollars for her immediate needs. "In the long term we're talking about millions, a couple of million at least, " Mr Georgatos said. Family 'could be eligible for millions' The electric shock has been blamed on a malfunction in the property's electricity supply, known as an "open circuit neutral". It hit Denishar with a surge of up to 250 volts of electricity, which is five times the amount that can cause serious damage to the human body. The Office of Energy Safety is undertaking an investigation to determine what caused the electric shock. A Perth barrister has previously said the Woods family could be eligible for millions of dollars in compensation if the Department of Housing is found to have failed to provide them with safe and adequate housing. Theo Lampropoulos, who earlier this year successfully sued Princess Margaret Hospital for a payout expected to reach into the multiple millions in a negligence claim relating to a young girl, said the family could be eligible to a substantial payout for pain and suffering. Topics:housing,government-and-politics,human-interest,children,perth-6000,beldon-6027,wa First posted May 21, 2018 11:22:52 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-21/denishar-woods-family-to-sue-wa-government-over-electric-shock/9782892 Updated May 20, 2018 13:40:53
There are tensions on Australia's northern highways as a growing number of sun-chasing grey nomads compete for road space with truck drivers who are working to meet deadlines. Key points: Tensions exist between truckers who need to move quickly from A to B, and RVs which often travel more slowlyThe recreational vehicle market is the fastest growing sector in tourism due to Australia's ageing demographicThe sector is in talks with the trucking industry to try to develop a driver education campaign It is a growing issue on highways across the country, as baby boomers hit the roads in increasing numbers in caravans and campers, also known as recreational vehicles, or RVs. Richard Barwick, who heads the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia, said there had been reports of road rage incidents as truckers and retirees jostle for space. ![]() "The shared use between trucks and RVs is always a controversial point, because trucks are under a limited timeframe to get from point A to point B, while RVs are traditionally slower travellers," he said. "It makes for a very, very dangerous situation when these trucks are travelling at the speed limit, and suddenly they get caught up between a number of RVs travelling at a slower speed. "There are some horrific stories that have come across our desk. "Members have been caught up with a truck right behind them, very, very close, then feels anxious and when trying to get off the road quickly, goes too far and has driven himself into a culvert or a ditch, causing a major accident." Grey nomad scene booming The recreational vehicle market is the fastest growing sector in Australian tourism, with 650,000 caravans and campers now registered. Mr Barwick said the trend reflects Australia's ageing demographic, as well as a renewed desire by holidaymakers to travel domestically, rather than fly to Bali. He said the sector is in talks with the trucking industry to try to ease pressure on the road network by developing a driver education campaign, and a wish list for government investment. "We are engaging with the major trucking organisations to discuss how can we have safer travel patterns and ensure we're talking about the issues that are arising," he said. "It could be talking about black spots, it could be the need for more overtaking lanes or roadside signage, but it's important that we go as a collective to the government saying this is what we've identified." Grey nomads Peter and Barbara Alcock said wider roads and more rest stops would help. The Perth couple are spending three months touring the Kimberley in their caravan. ![]() "It's our home away from home. We're just toddling along; we're not in any hurry," Mr Alcock said. "We are conscious of the truckies trying to get their job done, and we try to be respectful, because they're at work and we're not. "Often you can't pull over because of the road, so you can feel them wanting to push along a bit, and maintain their 100 kilometres per hour. "It can be tricky." Trust the truckies Marty Baldwin has been driving trucks up and down Western Australia's highways for 30 years. He said he loved seeing travellers of all ages exploring Australia, but cited a couple of pet hates. "There are definitely more grey nomads heading further north than they used to, and in better vehicles," he said. "While some of the driving has got better, inconsistent speeds is a big thing. "They'll be travelling along, plodding along at a consistent 80kph, and they'll see us coming up behind them and they'll all of a sudden slow down or they'll panic and take off. "It does make it hard to do an overtaking manoeuvre." ![]() Mr Baldwin said a UHCF radio and extension mirrors were crucial for safe overtaking and pulling over. "The biggest message is don't panic," he said. "We are professional operators, and we are not going to put you in a situation that's going to intimidate you, or anything like that, so just don't panic. "Maintain your position and speed on the road, and we'll sit back and make a judgement about when it is safe to make a manoeuvre." A lesson in highway etiquette Transport company Centurion's safety manager, Luke Beeston, said a recent survey of its drivers showed more than 80 per cent had witnessed or experienced a close call with a caravan in the past two years. "I think there has been an increase in risk, where there are more people interacting with heavy vehicles on a daily basis, and also an increased risk from those who are slightly more inexperienced taking caravans or touring around Australia," he said. Mr Beeston said the main issues were unsafe overtaking, overcrowded rest stops, and the need for communication via indicator lights and UHF radios. The company has distributed 200,000 flyers on driving safely to roadhouses and caravan parks. The brochures outline safe driving habits and highway etiquette. Can't we all get along? Ben Maguire, who heads the Australian Trucking Association, said it should not be an "us versus them" debate when it comes to sharing the roads. "Tourism is vital to outback regions, to the economy and to the vibrancy of these regions we get that," he said. "Tourists need to feel welcome and at home, and have great facilities. "But the point is there would be nothing on the shelves and no fuel in the bowsers if trucks didn't also have the same facilities. "Whether it's a 55-year-old truck driver or a retired couple, they both deserve the same amount of respect and care so they are fit to drive the next day." Topics:road,road-transport,population-and-demographics,travel-and-tourism,tourism,rural-tourism,accidents---other,broome-6725,darwin-0800,nt,wa,perth-6000 First posted May 20, 2018 06:03:35 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-20/rising-tension-between-truck-drivers-and-grey-nomads/9776266 Updated May 19, 2018 18:07:47
![]() It has been five years since Katrina Pianta, from Ararat in western Victoria, competed on national television show The Biggest Loser, but her efforts to lose weight date back decades. She remembers being a teenager, when the local doctor told her mother "your daughter needs to lose weight". "I just remember thinking, well what do I do? How do I do this?" she said. "That started a whole lifelong battle of 'what am I going to try next?'" Fellow Ararat resident Toni Stockwell did not think much about her weight until she and her husband faced fertility issues. "I don't know whether it was the weight but one of the IVF doctors said, 'if you lose weight you should find falling pregnant easier,'" she said. It was the ultimate incentive and Ms Stockwell felt like the task of developing a weight loss solution was entirely up to her. "I'm a teacher, I probably should have known somewhere else to go but I didn't," she said. Seeking answers in Ararat was futile. "It's been estimated that somewhere around about 30 per cent of our local population has a problem with obesity and the services to treat it are just not available," Ararat GP Derek Pope said. "Our options are so limited for treating it on a holistic basis, it's getting out of control." Six-year wait lists for metropolitan-based specialists A study by Western Sydney University found that only 16 hospitals across the nation offered any form of specialist obesity services; none of them were in regional Australia. Dr Evan Atlantis, who led the study, said obesity rates were worst in regional Australia but patients were forced to compete with hundreds of others vying to see specialists in the major cities. "Wait lists date as far back as five [or] six years, or more," Dr Atlantis said. "Of the one million people in Australia who would be eligible for specialist obesity services, we found that less than one per cent were accessing them." The lack of services means regional residents have to travel significant distances to get treatment. Ms Pianta has travelled to Melbourne to see endocrinologists, exercise physiologists and dieticians. "How do you see those specialists? Do you take a day off? Is it classed as being sick if you're obese and you're seeing a specialist?" she said. She had some success with a hormone specialist in Adelaide a six-hour drive from Ararat. "It took eight weeks to get in and I had to travel to South Australia all the time so that was unsustainable," she said. Governments under no pressure to allocate taxpayer dollars Victoria's chief preventive health officer Dr Bruce Bolan said the obesity crisis had "only really emerged in the last 20 or 30 years" and that it "took time" for health services to respond. "The Victorian Government has put an additional $8 million into funding of hospital services there are of course issues around wait times an also travel, particularly for people who live in regional and rural Victoria," he said. Dr Bolan said obesity was a growing problem and that additional funding was necessary, but said there was little pressure from the general public to allocate taxpayer dollars to the cause. "Where there aren't voices calling for change, they will inevitably be drowned out by competing priorities," he said. "People think of this as an individual-level issue, which it's plainly not, [so] action on this as an issue is taking time to occur." Physicians call for attitude shift on obesity blame-game The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) this week released a new position statement on obesity, mounting pressure on Government to adopt a national policy. "We tend to see obesity as being the problem of the individual," RACP president Dr Catherine Yelland said. "Given the public health concerns about the effects of obesity, the governments and our communities need to do as much as they possibly can. "Seeing it as the person's fault isn't really going to help." The RACP pointed to a doubling of obesity rates in the past 40 years and made a list of recommendations, including introduction of a sugar tax and more government funding for public health services. ![]() Meanwhile Katrina Pianta and Toni Stockwell are at the mercy of a long list of money-making schemes and online programs. "Let's be honest, it would be quicker for me to tell you what I haven't done," Ms Pianta said. They both thought The Biggest Loser program would offer the list of specialists needed to transform their lives. "The Biggest Loser was going to be my very last time that I had to worry about my weight," Ms Pianta said. "That's where my life my beautiful life would take off. "I lost over 40 kilograms but walking out the door, that's where you leave the fantasy of reality TV behind." Five years on, both Ararat women have regained nearly all of the weight. "You start to slip back into those habits that got you into that situation in the first place," Ms Stockwell said. "I've gone past where I was never going to let myself go past again. "I don't ever want to give up because I think if I do give up, things could be diabolical." Obese and ostracised: the stigma of being overweight Ms Pianta is well aware of the blame levelled at obese people and others' inability to understand her inability to lose weight. "You could consider anyone that's an addict, that it gets to a point where it's bigger than themselves," she said. "But people have empathy for somebody that's addicted to a substance. "Food can be an addiction for some people but we look at them as just being overweight and they need to fix it themselves we would never say to a drug addict, 'oh go off and fix it yourself.'" Ms Pianta said she often worried about judgement when eating out or "taking up space" in public. "It's very isolating and when there's nowhere else to go for professional help, it's even more isolating," she said. "The bigger you get, the more you tend to stay indoors." External Link:Policies for tackling obesity and creating healthier food environments Topics:adolescent-health,healthcare-facilities,obesity,tax,ararat-3377,melbourne-3000,adelaide-5000 First posted May 17, 2018 16:17:01 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-17/regional-australians-the-biggests-loser-for-obesity-services/9771374 |
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