Clean up after 'devastating' Vic tornado

Crews will work around the clock to clean up following a tornado that devastated Victoria's north. Source: AAP

MORE than 20 homes and 100 caravans have been destroyed - and many more badly damaged - after a tornado ripped through towns along the Victorian/NSW border.

Residents were allowed through the Denison County Caravan Park at Mulwala for the first time on Saturday, two days after scores of caravans were torn to pieces by winds of up to 300kph.

"Some of them are destroyed to the point of being completely unrecognisable," said Bernard Kates, SES NSW regional controller for the Murray Region.

"This tornado has kind of scored a bulls eye right on top of this caravan park and it's made a real mess.

"There is a fair bit of shock, a fair bit of amazement, and one or two people who were here when the tornado struck are thinking how lucky they were to escape without injury."

Mr Kates said it was fortunate the caravan park was mostly empty when the tornado struck around 8pm (AEDT) on Thursday.

Crews were now working to clean the debris, including asbestos.

Across the border in Victoria, more than 20 homes have been declared uninhabitable as SES crews work around the clock to remove debris and fallen trees.

SES spokesman Toby Borella said 15 properties had been identified as uninhabitable at Koonoomoo, along with seven at Bundalong and two at Rutherglen, while many others had been classified as significantly damaged.

Caravans, roofs and trees were sent flying as the category F3 tornado, packing winds of between 250 and 300km/h, ripped through the Murray River towns of Bundalong, Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Rutherglen, Koonoomoo and Cobram.

Twenty people were injured, including two men who were flown to Melbourne hospitals in critical condition.

All patients were now in a stable condition, said a spokeswoman from The Alfred and Royal Melbourne Hospitals.

Premier Denis Napthine said short-term accommodation and financial assistance was already being provided to those in emergency situations.

He said he would travel to the affected regions on Sunday morning.

"It's very fortunate that no lives were lost," Dr Napthine told reporters on Saturday.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the tornado as a "truly startling event and said federal disaster assistance had been activated for the devastated towns.

"People would have seen that 20 sustained injuries; there have been homes damaged, destroyed, trashed. Vehicles have been overturned," Ms Gillard told reporters in northern NSW.

"Our communities in Victoria ... are facing a very difficult day and our thoughts are with them and some practical assistance is available."

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Bangladesh storm kills 20

THE death toll from a tornado that ripped through 20 villages in eastern Bangladesh has climbed to 20 people, with another 200 hurt, a government official says.

Initial reports said at least 10 people were killed and a newspaper put the toll for the injured at 500 in the storm that lashed the distant villages in Brahmanbaria district on Friday.

On Saturday, local chief government administrator Noor Mohammad Majumder said the death toll had climbed to 20 people died, with another 200 injured in the powerful storm.

The local Prothom Alo newspaper reported that the 15-minute storm destroyed many homes and shops, and toppled a large number of trees and electricity poles.

Villagers and emergency personnel took the injured to hospitals, the reports said.

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Gay marriage debate hits US Supreme Court

THE US Supreme Court will consider the divisive issue of legalising same-sex marriage, in a hotly anticipated hearing next week that could have historic consequences for American family life.

Although gay couples are barred from marrying in 41 out of 50 US states, including some where bans were enacted by popular vote, polls show more Americans than ever - 58 per cent in one recent survey - support same-sex marriages.

And, following the example of President Barack Obama, a number of influential politicians, economists, actors and athletes have come out in support of marriage equality.

Now, the country's top court has agreed to weigh in and will consider two key cases.

One is an appeal against California's gay marriage ban and the other challenges the national law that restricts federal benefits to heterosexual couples.

"Whatever they decide, it is going to be high-profile and it is going to get lots of attention," said Thomas Keck, political science professor at Syracuse University.

The top court will first look at a case that some experts say opens the path to legalising gay marriage at the national level.

The case centres on California's constitutional same-sex marriage ban, voted in by a referendum on "Proposition 8," which limits marriage to one man and one woman.

In the West Coast state, where same-sex marriage was briefly allowed, gays and lesbians can now obtain only civil unions, which offer the same state-level benefits as marriage.

The White House, while not directly involved, has urged the court to legalise gay marriage in California and in seven other states - and soon, a ninth, after a recent vote in Colorado - that allow civil unions.

"It's reasonable to conclude that the states are only withholding the label of marriage for same-sex couples in an attempt to stigmatise those couples on the basis of their sexual orientation," said lawyer Elizabeth Wydra.

Wydra - who works the Constitutional Accountability Center, which filed an amicus brief in support of gay couples - said the US Constitution prohibits such discrimination.

And she argued that it was possible "that the court will rule categorically that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality in every state, because the Constitution protects all persons from discrimination."

In the second case, to be heard Wednesday, the nine justices will take up the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which since 1996 has defined marriage as a union "between one man and one woman."

Section three of the law bars any same-sex couple - even those legally married in the nine states and the US capital that allow it - from the rights afforded to heterosexual married couples, like those on inheritance.

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Many reasons Oz pays more for digital

Apple has blamed music labels and movie studios for the higher costs Australians pay for downloads. Source: AAP

BIG music labels, steep freight costs and import taxes are being blamed for the higher prices Australians pay for everything from software to songs.

Global technology giants Apple, Microsoft and Adobe copped a caning on Friday at a federal parliamentary inquiry for slugging Australians up to 80 per cent more for their products.

The tech giants offered a range of explanations but failed to impress, with more than one MP branding their responses "evasive".

Microsoft Australia managing director Pip Marlow said it was the global software giant's right to charge what it thought the market would bear for its products.

"We don't operate on a single global price because we don't believe every market is the same," she told the committee in Canberra.

"We believe we are competing lawfully to win our customers' business every day."

But committee deputy chairman, Nationals MP Paul Neville, accused Microsoft of charging what it could "get away with in any particular market".

"You haven't offered us any cogent reason other than your company policy why you are charging more in Australia," he said.

A recent study by consumer group Choice of 200 hardware and software products found Australians paid on average 50 per cent more that overseas customers.

Apple vice president for Australia, New Zealand and South Asia Tony King said what Australians paid to download digital songs, films and TV shows was determined by arrangements with the music labels, TV networks and movie studios.

Those content owners had different charges for content distributed in different countries.

"The cards, so to speak, are in the hands of the folks who own the content," Mr King said.

Mr King said Apple was more than aware Australians were angry about it.

"We are hearing comments in Australia that, frankly, make us uncomfortable," he said.

Mr King said exchange rates, local freight costs, import duties and local sales taxes also influenced the prices for computers, laptops, tablet and mobile devices.

Adobe's managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Paul Robson, said Australians were blocked from accessing the software company's US website - where prices are lower - to offer a more "personalised experience".

Allowing Australians to buy the cheaper, although identical, product from Adobe's US website would have an impact on global corporations' willingness to invest in this country, run local operations and employ staff, he said.

Both Adobe and Microsoft talked up the use of cloud computing products, saying they offered more similar pricing between Australian and US customers.

The three technology giants were all called to appear before the committee after refusing to give evidence voluntarily.

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SA department gets 51 misconduct claims

SOUTH Australia's education department handled more than 50 claims of serious misconduct by staff last year and is hiring two more investigators to process the claims.

Education Minister Jennifer Rankine told state parliament on Thursday that in 2012 there were 51 cases of which 24 were finalised during the year.

But she said that was the lowest number since 2008 when the department dealt with 70 cases.

Her comments followed claims from opposition education spokesman David Pisoni that the government had been caught out taking a casual attitude to child protection.

He could not say how many of the misconduct cases still under investigation involved sexual abuse by teachers.

"We're not sure how many of these investigations are related to child sex abuse or assaults on children but serious misconduct is serious misconduct and it's not acceptable," Mr Pisoni told reporters on Thursday.

Ms Rankine also told state parliament that the government had created a new position of deputy chief executive for child safety in the education department.

That person will be responsible for implementing recommendations from an ongoing inquiry into a series of sex abuse cases involving teachers.

"This appointment is an important step in restoring the confidence of parents in our public education system," she said.

"Children attending our schools and preschools need to be safe first and foremost before we can expect them to learn."

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Abbott asks the PM: Can the govt govern?

Tony Abbott has called on Julia Gillard to explain whether her government is unable to govern. Source: AAP

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to explain whether her government is deadlocked and unable to govern.

Mr Abbott was on his feet moments after Ms Gillard announced to parliament a spill of Labor's leadership positions would take place at 4.30pm (AEDT) on Thursday.

"In the meantime, take your best shot," Ms Gillard told the opposition leader.

Mr Abbott asked the prime minister whether she agreed with Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean, who had said the government was deadlocked and no longer capable of discharging its duty to the Australian people.

"I most certainly do not and the suggestion is absurd," she responded, adding Mr Abbott well knew that she and he had been engaged in bipartisan and important business for the Australian nation.

Both leaders earlier on Thursday took part in the national apology to the victims of forced adoptions.

While all eyes had been on the media debate, the government had continued to govern in the interest of the nation by pursuing the legislation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Ms Gillard said.

More than 70,000 jobs were created in the month, bringing to more than 900,000 the number of jobs created since Labor came to office.

"We are well on our way to creating a million jobs," the prime minister said.

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Richard Torbay referred to ICAC

The NSW Nationals have referred information surrounding Richard Torbay to the corruption watchdog. Source: AAP

INFORMATION that led to Independent MP Richard Torbay's shock resignation from NSW parliament and dumping as a Nationals federal candidate has been referred to the state's corruption watchdog by the NSW Nationals.

"Information in the party's possession regarding Mr Richard Torbay has been referred," the party said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The information was provided to the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) on a confidential basis and the party makes no comment on the content of that information."

The party said it would make no further comment at this time.

Mr Torbay quit NSW parliament on Wednesday, a day after the National Party dumped him as its candidate for the federal seat of New England.

It was reported on Tuesday that Mr Torbay was helped into politics in 1999 by former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, who is now at the centre of the largest corruption investigation in NSW history.

Mr Torbay is also one of dozens of political and other figures featured in Mr Obeid's diaries, published last week.

In question time on Wednesday, NSW Speaker Shelley Hancock announced Mr Torbay's Northern Tablelands seat was now vacant.

A by-election will now be held.

She was sent a one-line letter about Mr Torbay's resignation on Wednesday morning.

It ends a 14-year political career, with Mr Torbay saying the events of recent days had taken a toll on his family.

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Roy Hill on track despite funding concerns

Roy Hill Holdings chief Barry Fitzgerald remains confident the iron ore project is on track. Source: AAP

THE boss of Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mining project is confident it will begin shipping iron ore in 2015 despite ongoing challenges with securing funding.

Chief executive Barry Fitzgerald says the project is on track to be ready by September 2015.

"We have no reason to change that plan," he told an iron ore conference in Perth on Wednesday.

"There are clearly challenges. There are challenges in the process all the way through."

Mrs Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting owns a 70 per cent stake in Roy Hill Holdings, which had originally hoped to have funding in place by the middle of 2013.

The remaining 30 per cent of Roy Hill is controlled by Posco, Japanese trader Marubeni, Taiwan's China Steel Corporation and Korean Shipper STX.

Mr Fitzgerald said while funding was not in place, an engineering, procurement and construction contract was about to be awarded because of the confidence that a deal with financiers would be struck.

The company has appointed Parsons Brinckerhoff as a project management contractor for the next stage of work and it expects to award the tender next week.

Roy Hill plans to ship 55 million tonnes of iron ore a year after completing its port, rail and mine infrastructure project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

It expects the ramp up to full production to take about a year from the date of its first shipment.

Mr Fitzgerald also sought to distance the company from legal disputes consuming Hancock Prospecting.

"The issues that may or may not be around with Hancock are of no concern to me," he said.

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US backs Aust and NZ's Antarctic plans

HAILING the waters of Antarctica as a living laboratory, the United States has joined Australia and New Zealand in appealing for the creation of marine sanctuaries in the most remote and pristine part of the world.

The United States and New Zealand have drawn up a proposal for a marine sanctuary covering 1.6 million square kilometres of the Ross Sea, which would be the world's largest reserve.

Nations led by Australia, France and the European Union also want to protect 1.9 million square kilometres of critical coastal area in the East Antarctic.

But the proposals were blocked when talks in November at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) - comprising 24 countries and the European Union - ended without resolution amid concerns from Russia and China.

Now the nations in favour are boosting their efforts to get the two sanctuaries approved at a special meeting of the group in Germany in July.

"Antarctica is a collection of superlatives. It's the highest, coldest, the windiest, the driest, the most pristine and the most remote place on Earth," US Secretary of State John Kerry told a gathering organised by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

"And it has beguiled humankind for centuries as people have sought to understand it," he added, arguing that the waters of the Southern Ocean, home to 16,000 species, are a "living laboratory."

Kerry told the gathering at the National Geographic Society he believed the world can "work together to ensure that Antarctica remains a place devoted to peace and devoted to expanding human understanding of this fragile planet."

"This is one of the last places we could do this, and I think we owe it to ourselves to make it happen."

But conservationists argue the proposals do not go far enough to protect marine life - notably the Antarctic toothfish, which is fished in huge quantities and served as Chilean sea bass on restaurant tables around the world.

The Ross Sea proposal, while creating a reserve to protect Adelie and emperor penguins, as well as killer whales and Weddell seals, would still allow some 3,000 tonnes of toothfish to be commercially caught each year.

"We wanted New Zealand to come up with a much stronger proposal, and they just didn't, and they dug their heels in, and basically the US had to go for New Zealand's proposal," documentary film-maker Peter Young said.

"It doesn't matter how sustainable this quota is, we shouldn't be in the last place. We don't take buffalo from Yellowstone. We don't take kiwi from the forests in New Zealand. We should not fish from the Ross Sea."

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Breakthrough in Vic teachers pay dispute

THERE has been a major breakthrough in the long-running Victorian teachers' pay battle, with the government backing down on performance pay.

The union says it is a sign the new Premier Denis Napthine is prepared to listen to teachers' concerns but the parties are yet to agree on salaries, contract teaching and several other issues.

Government and Australian Education Union (AEU) negotiators are due to meet again on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr Napthine said the government remained committed to performance pay but was willing to cut that aspect out of enterprise bargaining negotiations with the union in a bid to resolve the long-running dispute.

"We seek to deal with the issue of performance pay outside the EBA process," he told parliament on Tuesday.

"I call upon the teachers' union to accept this act of good faith."

AEU Victoria president Meredith Peace said the union would never accept performance pay because it did not lead to better student outcomes.

She said the government's move was a positive, small step but the union wasn't celebrating yet.

"It shows that the new premier is prepared to listen to our profession," Ms Peace said.

"This is a small step in the right direction but there is still much work to be done."

Ms Peace said the outstanding issues included salaries, workloads, class sizes and the high level of contract employment.

The union revised down its pay claim last November to a 12.6 per cent increase over three years, while the government's wages policy was 2.5 per cent plus extra for productivity gains.

"We actually now need to see what they are prepared to offer," Ms Peace said.

Former premier Ted Baillieu promised, before the coalition won government, to make Victoria's teachers the best paid in Australia.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said Dr Napthine should become personally involved in negotiations rather than grand stand in parliament.

"Instead of these faux concessions, the mock drama on the floor of the parliament, Mr Napthine should get in a room and get a deal done," he said.

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NT govt to fund cash for containers scheme

THE Northern Territory government will fund a cash for containers scheme for eight weeks while it resolves legal issues.

The anti-littering scheme designed by the former Labor government took effect on January 3, but beverage companies successfully challenged it in court.

A March 4 ruling said the scheme was in breach of federal legislation and drink companies did not have to participate.

Since the ruling there has been uncertainty about whether people who collected cans and bottles could continue to claim 10 cent refunds at collection centres.

The NT modelled the scheme on one run for decades in South Australia, but SA has an exemption under the Act.

NT Planning and Environment Minister Peter Chandler on Monday said the scheme would run for eight weeks from March 27 while the government garnered support from other governments for legal exemptions.

He said the government was confident it would get the support it needed.

The government was also appealing against the Federal Court decision.

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Euthanasia opponents 'a minority'

THE NSW Greens say people whose religious views are blocking voluntary euthanasia laws are making the lives of vulnerable people even more wretched and should butt out.

"It's time they recognised they are in the minority and got out of the way," Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said.

Her comments came as she launched a photo book and an online video promoting voluntary euthanasia on Monday, as part of her campaign for a Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill, expected to come before parliament later this year.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell will allow a conscience vote if the laws are debated.

"I've indicated that if it should come up, members of the Liberal Party will have a conscience vote," he told reporters on Monday.

Mr O'Farrell declined to outline his own views, saying it would come down to the laws introduced.

"These are complex matters. You wait to see the legislation, you wait to see what's being proposed, and then you make a decision," he said.

The latest Greens campaign features a video of Loredana Alessio-Mulhall, who is in the advanced stages of multiple sclerosis and wants law reform so she can die at a time of her choosing.

"She represents a growing movement of people who are experiencing first-hand how cruel our laws can be," Ms Faehrmann said in a statement.

"Loredana is given every assistance to live an increasingly undignified life, yet society is turning its back on her when all she is asking for is the right to die with dignity."

Ms Faehrmann said Ms Alessio-Mulhall could not take her own life because she had lost the use of her limbs.

And if a loved one assists her to die they could be tried for manslaughter or murder.

"There could not be a more stark example of how unjust and senseless the law is in this area," she said.

"It's time those people with strong religious views who are blocking the passage of voluntary euthanasia laws recognise their views are making some very vulnerable people's lives even more wretched."

State and federal parliaments have refused at least four attempts to legalise euthanasia in recent years.

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Perth welcomes Geldof for St Patrick's Day

Irish rocker Sir Bob Geldof has added star quality to the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Perth. Source: AAP

SIR Bob Geldof added superstar quality to St Patrick's Day in Perth, supping a pint of the black stuff as he joined his countrymen for some traditional celebrations.

Visiting Australia to promote his upcoming tour with the Boomtown Rats, Sir Bob kicked off Perth's revived St Patrick's Day parade around Leederville, before joining patrons for a pint of Guinness at the Irish Club in Subiaco.

Sporting an apt green jacket, the Irish rocker and Live Aid supremo said he was surprised at how big the WA event was, after thousands turned up to watch a parade with dozens of floats, traditional Irish dancers and plenty of the black stuff.

"There were thousands of people; it was an absolutely brilliant atmosphere," Sir Bob said.

"In Dublin the same parade is a tiny thing. This was fun and very cool."

The Boomtown Rats are set to play in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in May.

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Police appeal for info on teen assault

POLICE have appealed for help in identifying a man who allegedly indecently assaulted a teenage boy at Arndell Park in Sydney's west.

Police allege that at around 4pm on Saturday, the 14-year was standing outside a house when he was approached by man in a four-wheel drive.

The youth was allegedly lured to a track near Bungaribee Creek after being promised money, where he was indecently assaulted.

He was able to flee and alert a nearby shopkeeper who contacted police.

The man is described as aged in his early 20s, 170cm tall, dark complexion muscular build, short black hair, with a beard and moustache. At the time of the incident he was wearing a light blue collared shirt and black pants.

Detectives from the Blacktown area command are continuing with their inquires.

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