Wednesday 29 June 2005

Beazley stands for nothing: Latham, The Australian, 29 June, 2005. Page One.



Beazley stands for nothing: Latham: [2 All-round First Edition]

Samantha Maiden, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 29 June 2005: 1.
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In the extract published in today's edition of The Bulletin, Mr [Mark Latham] attacked Labor premiers for publicly urging him to resolve the leadership after he disappeared from public life during the tsunami crisis.
"People got to see a glimpse of how Carr, Beattie and Gallop are A-grade arseholes," Mr Latham declares.
Loner: Inside a Labor Tragedy also reveals Mr Latham made a secret pact with his wife Janine before last year's election that he would leave politics if there were repeat episodes of his pancreatitis. He was struck down again at the end of December as the tsunami hit across Asia.

KIM Beazley is a "stand-for-nothing type of leader" and three of the successful Labor premiers are "A-grade arseholes".
These unflattering observations by the bitter former Labor leader Mark Latham are contained in a book to be launched in Sydney today.
Declaring the Labor Party "beyond repair, beyond reform", Mr Latham has also revealed for the first time his secret pre-election pact to quit politics if his pancreatitis ever returned.
As the storm over his comments was about to break yesterday, Mr Latham emerged mid-morning at his home in Sydney's western suburbs, strapping the kids into the back of his car and opening his driveway gates.
"I am retired, mate," he said, going on to suggest that the media crews "should have better things to do".
In the extract published in today's edition of The Bulletin, Mr Latham attacked Labor premiers for publicly urging him to resolve the leadership after he disappeared from public life during the tsunami crisis.
"People got to see a glimpse of how Carr, Beattie and Gallop are A-grade arseholes," Mr Latham declares.
"All their provincial bluster and posturing made no difference to anything. Never does. The media had to sit in the heat and report a load of rubbish.
"And Labor got the leader it truly deserves. The old party has become a very conservative institution run by conservative machine men (from all factions) so well suited to a conservative, stand-for- nothing type of leader."
Mr Latham also hints there is more to come in his personal diaries, to be published in October: "I was the last of the federal leaders not to be beholden to these roosters. I elaborate on these matters in my diary."
His outburst came as NSW ALP powerbroker Mark Arbib last night warned MPs
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Editorial -- Page 12
From Page 1
must get behind Mr Beazley or risk becoming a political sideshow.
Loner: Inside a Labor Tragedy also reveals Mr Latham made a secret pact with his wife Janine before last year's election that he would leave politics if there were repeat episodes of his pancreatitis. He was struck down again at the end of December as the tsunami hit across Asia.
"Realistically we didn't expect to win the election -- nor did our pollster -- so if the worst came to the worst and I had to leave politics, it could be handled with comparative ease from opposition," Mr Latham reveals.
He is also scathing about the future of the ALP despite Labor leaders in every state and territory.
"It's beyond repair, beyond reform. That's sad for those Australians who see Labor as our best hope for social justice in this country. But I've got to be honest about it. It's false hope."
He also dismisses suggestions he should have played a more public role after the tsunami crisis.
"As for the Asian flood, Jenny Macklin was acting leader," he says.
"None of my verbiage could have made any practical difference -- bring back the dead, reverse the waves, organise the relief effort."
Mr Latham also confirms that his doctors suspected his illness was a side-effect of his earlier treatment for testicular cancer. But he remains optimistic about his future.
"Life goes on, potentially in a splendid way ... After suffering testicular cancer, the greatest gift in my life has been the ability to have children with Janine."
PARTING SHOT
An edited extract from Loner: Inside a Labor Tragedy, by Bernard Lagan, as the extract appears in this week's Bulletin magazine
"In the circumstances, things turned out quite well. People got to see a glimpse of how Carr, Beattie and Gallop are A-grade arseholes. All their provincial bluster and posturing made no difference to anything.
Never does.
The media had to sit in the heat and report a load of rubbish.
And Labor got the leader it truly deserves.
The old party has become a very conservative institution, run by conservative machine men (from all factions) so it is well suited to a conservative, stand-for-nothing type of leader.
I want to make clear that I was not sorry to leave the parliament behind. The more I saw of the inner workings of the ALP as leader, the more disillusioned I became with machine politics.
Unfortunately, the ALP has become a machine political party, with each little union and each state and territory having its own little power-brokers and machine representatives in federal caucus. I was the last of the federal leaders not to be beholden to these roosters.
It is not an organisation that I can be optimistic about. It's beyond repair, beyond reform.
That's sad for those Australians who see Labor as our best hope for social justice in this country. But I've got to be honest about it. It's false hope. I elaborate on these matters in my diary.
Basically, the way I see it, I had my shot at being prime minister. It didn't work on several fronts. But life goes on, potentially in a splendid way, spending so much time with the family. After suffering testicular cancer, the greatest gift in my life has been the ability to have children with Janine.
I would be a fool to waste it."
Latham on state premiers:
People got to see a glimpse of how Carr, Beattie and Gallop are A- grade arseholes. All their provincial bluster and posturing made no difference to anything.
On Labor and Kim Beazley:
The old party has become a very conservative institution run by conservative machine men (from all factions) so well suited to a conservative, stand-for-nothing type of leader.

Published at news.com.au under the heading More Bile from Mr Pancreatitis.



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Monday 27 June 2005

Shamed hospitals fight back, The Australian, 27 June, 2005.

Shamed hospitals fight back: [2 All-round First Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 27 June 2005: 6.
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MANLY and Mona Vale hospitals, in Sydney's northern beaches, hit back last night at a report shaming them as among the worst healthcare facilities in Australia.
MANLY and Mona Vale hospitals, in Sydney's northern beaches, hit back last night at a report shaming them as among the worst healthcare facilities in Australia.
Twenty-six hospitals and health facilities around Australia were named last week in a report by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. They have been told to improve their performance within 60 days or risk losing government funding.
A spokesman for the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Health Service said the ACHS criticisms about staffing levels at the two critical care units were being addressed. The units had been trying to fill clinical vacancies.
The spokesman said the appointment of new specialists at Mona Vale would provide a full complement of emergency specialists.
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Friday 24 June 2005

House blaze hero, 5, in line for medal, The Australian, 24 June, 2005.

House blaze hero, 5, in line for medal: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 24 June 2005: 5.
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Harry Haywood woke at 2.30am yesterday to find his house full of smoke. His mother and her boyfriend had fallen asleep on the couch. His two older sisters were asleep in their bedroom.
Police say that in fires, most children hide in cupboards or beds. But Harry had the common sense to move to wake mother Nicole and sisters Brittany, 9, and Brie, 7, and save their lives.
"We woke to Harry screaming, he screamed like he had never screamed before. Then he was in his sisters' room screaming."

A FIVE-year-old boy could be one of the youngest Australians to receive a bravery award after alerting his sleeping family to a fire engulfing their home in themiddle of the night.
Harry Haywood woke at 2.30am yesterday to find his house full of smoke. His mother and her boyfriend had fallen asleep on the couch. His two older sisters were asleep in their bedroom.
Police say that in fires, most children hide in cupboards or beds. But Harry had the common sense to move to wake mother Nicole and sisters Brittany, 9, and Brie, 7, and save their lives.
The family struggled through thick smoke out of the house in semi- rural Tahmoor, outside Picton in the NSW Southern Highlands. The roof collapsed seconds later.
Police were yesterday recommending Harry receive a bravery medal.
Harry said it was the smoke that had woken him. "I just got out of bed and I shut my eyes and ran into my sisters' room," he said.
When asked if he was scared, Harry said: "Yep."
A smoke alarm fitted to the house is believed to have failed.
Sergeant Barry Parish said the family still did not understand how close they had come to disaster or how much they owed to young Harry's presence of mind.
"I am glad I can go home tonight and not have a nightmare about what I have seen," Sergeant Parish said. "I don't think the family quite realise the enormity of what Harry has done.
"I will be recommending him for a bravery award. Most adults wouldn't think that clearly. Harry's actions saved the lives of his family."
Nicole said son Harry had always been an intelligent and level- headed boy. "He's a thinker," she said.
"We woke to Harry screaming, he screamed like he had never screamed before. Then he was in his sisters' room screaming."
Bursting into tears, she recalled searching through the smoke- filled house before she realised the kids had managed to get out the front door.
"I didn't know whether they were in or out," she said. "I just couldn't see them. Then I heard their individual voices calling for Mummy. The house just went up in seconds."
The cause of the blaze is not known.

Also published on news.com.au under the head All Hail Harry the hero.


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Wednesday 22 June 2005

Croations The Australian June 22, 2005

JUNE 22
Uncertain date.
John Stapleton
THE nation has split: husband against wife, father against son.
With six Croatians on the Australian team and three Australians on the Croatian team, the Croatian community in Australia are suffering from a severe case of divided loyalties.
As Croatian clubs around the country flung open their doors at 4am this morning, many of the members of the families trooping into the bars and auditoriums were be backing different sides.
``It is a win win but whoever wins you are going to be disappointed for the one that goes,'' said 34-year-old Vlado Blazeka, 34, who was born in Australia to Croatian parents.
``I can honestly say, when I found out this was the decider, it took me three days to work it out.''
Mr Blazeka backed Australia against his own young soccer-mad sons, who were backing Croatia.
He said the decision to back Australia in the World Cup was made much easier by the fact there were so many Croations on the team.
Mr Blazeka said Croations had been fiercely proud of their heritage ever since arriving in Australias after World War 2, and many still held close ties to their ``beautiful'' home country. Their pride made the decision of whom to back particularly difficult.
``There are households where husbands and wives are going for different teams,'' he said. ``It is definitely a grudge thing, no, it is more a party, a celebration of soccer and Croations in Australia.''
Although he was backing Australia Mr Blazeka thought Croatia was most likely to winw, ``because of their fighting spirit''. Bemused, he says, ``but the Socceroos have fighting spirit... It is so difficult for everyone.''
President of the Croatian Soccer Club in Adelaide Ivica Jurkovic said Croats in Australia were deeply conflicted.
``The parents who have migrated to Australia from Croatia, they are going for Croatia,'' he said. ``They have Australia in their hearts, but Croatia is their homeland. The second generation are split. A lot are saying whoever wins, we will back them.
``Croatians are enormously proud; and we are all proud of our boys who have made it into the Australian team. In the last 20 years, if it wasn't for the Croatian soccer teams around Australia, the Australian team would not be as good as it is today. A lot of Australians think that as well.
``At the end of the day, whoever goes through deserves it and we sill support them. At least neither team missed out because they didn't have the opportunity.''

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Naval voyage approaches its end as sailors salute the chief, The Australian, 22 June, 2005.

Naval voyage approaches its end as sailors salute the chief: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 22 June 2005: 8.
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Rear-Admiral [Rowan Moffitt] said Vice-Admiral [Chris Ritchie]'s term as 27th head of the Royal Australian Navy was hectic, with thelast Iraq war involving the service in its most serious conflict since the Vietnam War.
Naval Association of Australia national president Bob Trotter said Vice-Admiral Ritchie was forward-looking but respectful of tradition. "In general, ex-navy people have seen Ritchie's watch as a good and caring one," Mr Trotter said.
Vice-Admiral Ritchie joined the navy at 16 and graduated from the Australian Naval College in 1968. His sea commands included HMAS Tarakan, Torres and Brisbane, and he was deployed in the 1991 Gulf War.
WHEN Chris Ritchie joined the navy, none of the present ships were in service and no women were on deck.
Forty years on, more than 600 sailors in Sydney yesterday paid respects to their Chief of Navy of the past three years.
"It has been a great honour and a privilege to be your chief," Vice-Admiral Ritchie said after inspecting the ranks one last time on a cold and windy winter's day.
Maritime Commander Rowan Moffitt said Vice-Admiral Ritchie, who will retire next month, was "a shining example of a life lived in complete accord with the values of the navy".
Rear-Admiral Moffitt said Vice-Admiral Ritchie's term as 27th head of the Royal Australian Navy was hectic, with the last Iraq war involving the service in its most serious conflict since the Vietnam War.
Vice-Admiral Ritchie was a "down to business" person who had helped turn the Australian Navy into one of the world's most capable medium-sized fleets.
An emotional Vice-Admiral Ritchie suggested the freezing sailors might be glad they did not have to bid farewell to him every day, but he was grateful for the opportunity to thank them for their dedicated service "on my watch".
He said the core of the service was the same as when he joined, "young and not-so-young Australians giving their best in the service of their country".
Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said Vice-Admiral Ritchie was well regarded by all ranks. "He leaves thenavy in as good shape as it can be under current resourcing constraints," Mr James said.
Naval Association of Australia national president Bob Trotter said Vice-Admiral Ritchie was forward-looking but respectful of tradition. "In general, ex-navy people have seen Ritchie's watch as a good and caring one," Mr Trotter said.
Vice-Admiral Ritchie joined the navy at 16 and graduated from the Australian Naval College in 1968. His sea commands included HMAS Tarakan, Torres and Brisbane, and he was deployed in the 1991 Gulf War.
He is an Officer of the Order of Australia.
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Monday 20 June 2005

Detainees protest in blood after department's 'betrayal', The Australian, 20 June, 2005.

Detainees protest in blood after department's `betrayal': [1 All-round Country Edition]

John Stapleton, Natasha Robinson. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 20 June 2005: 2.
A source inside Villawood claimed the detainees, one of whom needed 19 stitches, feared persecution in China, where details provided by the Australian Government would be used against them. The Government denied handing over details of their applications for refugee status as hundreds rallied in Sydney and Melbourne against mandatory detention.

Full Text

DETAINEES who slashed their wrists at Villawood detention centre in Sydney on the weekend feared persecution after Chinese officials interviewed them in preparation for deportation.
A source inside Villawood claimed the detainees, one of whom needed 19 stitches, feared persecution in China, where details provided by the Australian Government would be used against them. The Government denied handing over details of their applications for refugee status as hundreds rallied in Sydney and Melbourne against mandatory detention.
Dissident Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin, addressing a protest in Sydney, said he was grateful to the Australian people for their support, but attention should now turn to repression by the Chinese Communist Party.
Seven people were taken from Villawood to hospital on Saturday afternoon, with one woman still in Bankstown Hospital last night.
A witness said 14 Chinese detainees, including two women, slashed their wrists with razors and wrote "human rights" in blood on pieces of paper.
A statement signed by 34 Chinese people held in Villawood, released yesterday, said the Immigration Department had provided photographs and details of their passports, visas and marriage certificates to the Chinese Government, breaching the UN Refugee Convention.
Detainee "Jack" Mao said: "It looked very miserable. It was very cold, and people were helping to cover them up with blankets. Some were just crying, it was very miserable. There was lots of blood." Mr Mao claimed it was only at the insistence of detainees that a guard eventually called an ambulance. He said when detainees heard John Howard had softened detention rules for parents and children, they realised there was nothing in it for them.
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Saturday 18 June 2005

Father facing murder charges after rampage, Weekend Australian, 18 June, 2005.

Father facing murder charges after rampage: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Annabelle McDonald, John Stapleton. Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 18 June 2005: 5.
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Newcastle Magistrate Richard Wakely formally refused bail as the accused sat silently in the dock with his arms crossed. He will reappear via video-link on August 17.
Waratah Local Area Commander Superintendent Dave Swilks said the couple had been having relationship difficulties but had reconciled for a period of five months before separating again in April.
Supt Swilks said police later took out an AVO against the accused in an attempt to protect his former partner after he smashed her car windows.
A 35-year-old Newcastle man has been charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, including on two of his own children, after a domestic dispute in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The incident took place in a depressed public housing area at Wallsend in Newcastle.
The man made a brief appearance at Newcastle Local Court yesterday and was charged with murdering his former partner and her father. He was also charged with attempting to murder his 13-year- old daughter, 14-year-old son and their grandmother.
The boy escaped unharmed but his sister and grandmother both suffered serious stab wounds and were in induced comas in JohnHunter Hospital last night.
A four-year-old girl, who was also in the house at the time, believed to be a cousin, escaped unharmed.
Police recovered the knife thought to have been used in the attack.
Newcastle Magistrate Richard Wakely formally refused bail as the accused sat silently in the dock with his arms crossed. He will reappear via video-link on August 17.
Waratah Local Area Commander Superintendent Dave Swilks said the couple had been having relationship difficulties but had reconciled for a period of five months before separating again in April.
Supt Swilks said police later took out an AVO against the accused in an attempt to protect his former partner after he smashed her car windows.
The murders took place at about 1am. It is believed neighbours called the police after they heard screaming, entered the house and found the bodies.
The man was arrested by police in nearby Thomas Street soon after the incident and spent much of yesterday being questioned by investigators.
Neighbour Tiara Adams, 23, said the woman's parents had been living in the housing commission home for about six months. Themother moved in with the children about two months ago.
"The children don't know yet that their mother is gone," Ms Adams said. "We have been here for 16 years and nothing like this has ever happened. It's such a shock."
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