THIS is why NSW has lost 8 series

NSW forward Tony Williams believes the Blues' thorough preparation has them well positioned to claim victory in the opening game of the State of Origin series.

Robbie Farah does his impression of a NSW Blues selector. Source: News Limited

AVERT your eyes if you live south of the Tweed and have a weak disposition. This is the unpleasant yet definitive proof of where it has all gone wrong for the Blues.

This is not complicated. It's like one of those crossword clues you look up the next day and go "d'oh! Why didn't I think of that?"

Here goes, then. In a macadamia nutshell, Queensland's eight-year Origin streak is based around picking players from in-form teams. And NSW's incompetence is because they have failed to do that.

The numbers don't lie. In the eight years of the Queensland State of Origin streak, NSW selectors have consistently picked players from the bottom half of the NRL ladder. Queensland selectors, by contrast, have wisely preferred players from the top half.

Well might Paul Gallen joke about Queenslanders having two heads, but it seems two heads are better than one when it comes to selection meetings.

Who cares how many heads you have when you've bagged eight Origin series in a row? Source: News Limited

Here are the numbers that matter*. These stats relate to the teams picked for Game One each year. The ladder positions of NRL teams were current as at the last completed round before that game.

— Of 136 Game One selections (8 years x 17 players), NSW selectors picked just 83 players from top 8 teams. That's a ratio of just 61 per cent.

— Queensland selectors picked 96 players from top 8 teams, a much healthier ratio of 71 per cent.

— While NSW selectors have a blind spot towards the majority of top eight teams, they do tend to respect the team leading the NRL. NSW has picked 16 players from the NRL leaders, compared to Queensland's 11.

— But NSW selectors have undone all that good work by picking six players from the club at the very bottom of the ladder over the last eight dismal Origin seasons.

— Queensland, by contrast, has selected just one (that was Nate Myles in 2007, whose Roosters sat last. But most people have Myles in their all-time Qld team, so you can probably excuse that one).

So basically, NSW selectors couldn't pick Pinocchio's nose. Source: NewsComAu

Now obviously, you can look well beyond these or any other numbers in seeking the reasons for Queensland's dominance.

There are the dud halves NSW repeatedly selected (think Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce). Or the ones with talent like Jarrod Mullen, who selectors inexplicably kicked away like an empty can after one match.

A dejected Blues Robbie Farah after NSW loss during Origin Game 3 NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. Source: News Limited

Alternatively, you could focus on unquantifiables like passion, or team culture, or the fact that Queensland just happened to unearth seven or eight all-time greats in the same era.

You could also argue that Queensland players tend to be concentrated in three teams — the Storm, Cowboys and Broncos — so they naturally gel well in Origin. Those teams also tend to be entrenched at the pointy end of the ladder, which explains why QLD selectors perhaps aren't forced to choose as many players from outside the top eight.

But the bottom line is this. NSW selectors have been too cute, almost too creative in their search for a winning team. They grab players from here and from there, regardless of how those players' teams are performing.

Anyone who's ever played any sport at almost any level will tell you that people with a winning mentality help create a winning team. This is Queensland's secret. Pick guys from winning teams. Win Origin series, one after another. It's a secret which NSW has ignored for eight years.

Blokes like Billy Slater know a thing or two about winning. Pic: Adam Head Source: News Limited

This year, the signs are better for Blues fans. Selectors have picked four players from the high-flying Bulldogs. Quite coincidentally, the Bulldogs also led the NRL ladder before Origin in 2010, and NSW also picked four Dogs that year. They lost Origin 3-0.

The Blues will want to hope that was a statistical blip. They'll also do well to forget that their skipper Paul Gallen plays for the Sharks, who are currently running last.

*Regarding 2010 when the Melbourne Storm was stripped of all premierships points for Salary Cap breaches, we have treated their ladder position as third, not last, to reflect their 7-3 win loss ratio at Origin time.

23.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kogan wants to give you a million dollars

Ruslan Kogan founded Kogan Technologies when he was 23 years old. He is now worth $315 million. Source: News Limited

ECOMMERCE entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan wants to give you a million dollars. That's right, a million dollars in cold, hard cash.

All you have to do is display some pretty nifty football aptitude and correctly guess every winner of the group stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. That's 48 games for the uninitiated.

If no one guesses every winner correctly, then no one gets the million bucks. But the top five ranked people in the tipping competition, called Brazilian Million, will get a $500 Kogan voucher each while the next 50 will bank a $50 voucher.

Mr Kogan, the spirited founder of electronics ecommerce retailer Kogan, is leveraging the popularity of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup to mint a new Australian millionaire. And, presumably, to sell some TVs.

Of course, it's a big win for Kogan with everyone entering the competition giving the company their names and email addresses, which goes into Kogan's database to be used for marketing at a later time.

Plus, the odds of someone actually correctly tipping every winner are astronomical. So in all likelihood, Mr Kogan will only be out $3000 in vouchers. Very clever.

But then again, Mr Kogan didn't make $315 million by being dumb.

Socceroos warm up for a training session. Source: AP

Mr Kogan said: "The Socceroos making it into the World Cup is an amazing feat in and of itself. We're a great sporting nation that loves a bit of healthy competition.

"My mum was pretty shocked about me putting up such a huge prize for this. There's no doubt that it's going to be pretty hard to pick all of the results correctly. That's why there's such a massive prize of $1 million to anyone who can pull it off.

"Of course, we also stand to benefit from the competition. Massive sporting events are a huge driver of TV sales — if we can build Aussie engagement around the World Cup and get more of Australia behind the Socceroos, then it's a win-win for everyone."

The competition opens today and closes at 11:59 on June 11. It's open to the first million entrants from Australia, New Zealand and England.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 12 on SBS.

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MasterChef ‘foodmare’ comes true

See who cracks under pressure in this elimination of MasterChef Australia.

The former carpenter feels out of his depth reconstructing Christy Tania's mango dessert. Courtesy of Channel 10

Poor serve ... MasterChef Australia's Scott stresses out on camera. Source: Channel 10

MasterChef might be famous for making food dreams come true, but Monday's elimination saw Adelaide carpenter Scott Yeoman's nightmare become real.

Tasked with replicating Christy Tania's Mango Alfonso, from Melbourne restaurant Om Nom, Yeoman made mistake after mistake as he attempted to put together the 'female Zumbo's' complicated 10-element recipe.

RELATED: Emily Loo eliminated after slipping on banana dish.

"I had a dream the night before (the elimination) about a 25 page recipe with all these different elements and I couldn't believe it when I rocked up. This is coming true? What the hell?" he says adding he still has "foodmares" about the elimination, months after filming.

Tough pastry: The Mango Alfonso dessert. Source: Channel 10

Yeoman says he felt completely out of his depth as he reading through the seven page recipe for the "hardest pastry challenge ever" with its ten different cooking techniques and equipment and terms he'd never encountered before.

"It drove me insane, I was so thrown by the recipe and the fact I'd dreamt it the night before it just threw me and when you're in that deep it's really hard to get out," he says.

MORE: MasterChef confirmed to be coming back next year.

Yeoman struggled from the beginning, forgetting the lemongrass in his coconut and lemongrass foam, straining gelatine out of the mix before it had a chance to set and leaving the stabiliser out of his sorbet.

Smiling assassin: Christy Tania at least seemed to be having a good day. Source: Channel 10

Even the choux pastry disasters of his competitors, NSW bartender Jamie Fleming and WA commerce student Steven Peh, who both had to remake their dough twice, couldn't save him.

Yeoman was so far behind he was unable to remake his own choux pastry dough for a second time and he missed out on other crucial elements including the tempered chocolate. The judges called his pastry "awful" during the tasting

"I never want to look at another profiterole in my life," he says with a laugh.

Despite a glimmer of hope when Jamie's dessert collapsed off the plate, Yeoman says he knew his time was up.

"He was like 'I'm going home' and I was like "that was three hours of pain for me, and I have a gut feeling it's going to be me."

Judgement Day: The three contestants up for elimination. Source: Channel 10

The judges decided to taste all of Jamie's dish as it had all been on the plate when time was called. That meant Scott's dish was so obviously the worst of the three tasted that they didn't even bother dragging out the announcement in the usual fashion.

Since filming concluded the 32 year old carpenter from West Lakes Shore has been helping build a new restaurant and bar in Waymouth Street, Adelaide called Bread and Bone (the upstairs restaurant) and Maybe May (the downstairs bar). Expected to open in early June, Yeoman will work part time as a sons chef in the kitchen.

Building a business: Scott Yeoman working on the new Bread and Bone restaurant in Adelaide. Source: News Corp Australia

He also intends to fit out a food truck called Food Truck Fantasies which he'll tour around Australia with a little help from various mates he met on MasterChef, incorporating local ingredients into the menu.

Yeoman can't speak highly enough about his MasterChef experience and says he's excited about his career change.

"If you're passionate about something in life follow your dreams," he says. "You've got to take a risk and MasterChef opened so many doors for me. My life is changing dramatically."

Starting again had both Jamie and Steven in a panic. Courtesy of Channel 10

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’Doll’ box ends up being human

Gruesome container ... a 2m-long parcel in Japan has been found to contain the corpse of a young nurse. Source: ThinkStock

MURDER detectives are investigating the case of a young nurse whose corpse was sent by parcel post across Japan in a box that claimed to contain a doll.

The body of Rika Okada was found in a storage lockup in Tokyo. Investigators also found the 2-metre box in which it had been transported from the southern city of Osaka, reports said.

The delivery service that ferried the package — marked with the Japanese word for "doll" — 400 kilometres to the capital had been paid in Okada's own name.

The bill for the lockup's short-term rental had been settled using her credit card.

The body of the 29-year-old, who had been missing since late March, had more than a dozen stab wounds, local media reported, but no defensive injuries on her hands or arms.

Police in Osaka refused to confirm details, but reports said a woman who had been at primary school with Okada had flown out of Tokyo earlier this month using the dead woman's passport.

The schoolmate, who was not named, is believed to have lived just a few hundred yards from the lockup with a Chinese woman of about the same age.

Both women flew from Tokyo's Haneda airport on the same flight, bound for Shanghai.

Just before she went missing, Okada wrote on her Facebook page that she was going to meet up with an old friend whom she had not seen for a decade.

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Kids confused by 1970s computer

1970s computer class ... Kacey, nine, struggles to work out the computer. Source: Supplied

KIDS have become so used to operating technology with the touch of their finger or the sound of their voice that it is probably not surprisingly that they struggle to work a computer from the 1970s. It is hilarious to watch, however.

Comedy group The Fine Brothers asked a group of children to try and work a computer that looks nothing like an iPad.

The first hurdle was trying to turn it on.

Eight-year-old Brooke-Monae tries to operate the machine with her voice, when that doesn't work she tries tapping the screen with her finger.

That's not going to work ... Brooke-Monae, eight, tries to turn the computer on by touching the screen. YouTube/TheFineBros Source: Supplied

Some manage to turn the monitor on but fail to realise that they also need to turn it on at the back.

Once the machine is on many comment on how noise it is. None of the children really understand why they need floppy discs either. One of the adults explains that there is no hard drive on the computer.

"So why is it so big?" asks Jayka, 11.

"Where is the mouse" is yet another common question from the children.

The children are also surprised that the computer doesn't have the internet. Nine-year-old Kacey types 'Google' on the screen.

Confused ... Many of the children didn't know what to press in order to make the computer come alive. YouTube/TheFineBros Source: Supplied

"How do you look up homework?" asks Jayka.

"You go to the library," the adult explains.

"Who wants to do that," Jayka replies.

When they are handed a floppy disk most think that it is a CD. They groan at having to turn the computer off and on again in order to load the games on the floppy disk.

"I don't get it. And I also don't get the 1970s," says nine-year-old Tyler.

No iPad ... Brooke-Monae isn't a fan of 1970s technology. YouTube/TheFineBros Source: Supplied

The children are also not a fan of the green screen.

"It's green which makes it look ugly," Jayka says.

The adult explains that you would need 850 of these early-version Apple computers to match the capacity of an iPhone.

Command it ... Brooke-Monae finds it ridiculous that you have to type a command into the computer so it knows what you want it to do. YouTube/TheFineBros Source: Supplied

While one kid says he would love to have one of these old computers at home most of the other children can't understand the point of it.

"Three decades ago I would love to have this but now this is just a footstool," Dylan, 12, says.

"The games are boring, the stuff is boring and the whole thing is boring," says six-year-old, Lucas.

This is the latest in a series by The Fine Bros. To watch other equally entertaining videos by the group click below.

WATCH: KIDS REACT TO WALKMANS

WATCH: KIDS REACT TO ROTARY PHONES

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‘Kylie tried to save me’

Gone ... Jayde Grey loses to Louise on The Voice. Source: Supplied

FROM the sublime to the utterly ridiculous, The Voice swung from talent show to train wreck like a manic metronome on Monday night.

While the show continues to hold its national audience of about 1.8 million viewers captive, the battles lurched from a dazzling duet between Team Kylie singers Candice and Thando which saw both women rewarded with a second chance; ending in a hysterical finale, between Team Will warbler Louise and Jayde which left coach Minogue in fits of giggles.

Battling it out ... Jayde Grey and Louise go head-to-head on The Voice. Source: Supplied

The first magical moment of the battle rounds saw Ricky Martin play 'save' crusader, sparing Thando from elimination after she went note-for-note with single mum Candice in a powerful rendition of Emile Sande's beautiful ballad, Clown.

The show opened with a flash, as sassy Blue Mountains siren Anja Nissen continued to mesmerise the male coaches especially her champion will.i.am who remains convinced she's the full package.

Nerves seemed to infect three other battles with Byron Bay's Dallas James overwhelmed by veteran Doug Williams; Melbourne schoolteacher Josh McDonald edging out Scotty Gelzinnis; while will.i.am came to the rescue of Team Ricky siblings, Gabriel and Cecilia, after Martin agonised over his choice of Brandon Duff.

Showing signs of her potential as a country pop princess, Taila Gouge won her way to the showdowns with a confident delivery of Miley Cyrus' hit, The Climb.

Which left the final battle between Louise and Jayde, or as Twitter dubbed it "Edelsten's Wives Club - the Musical."

Social media generally savaged the performance of Kelly Clarkson's feminist epic, Since You've Been Gone, which saw coach Will side with cabaret singer Louise.

Jayde took to Twitter to comment on how The Voice didn't show Kylie Minogue's attempts to save her.

The competition continues next Sunday night on Channel 9.

23.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forget towels, this hides your stuff

Hidden treasure ... an entrepreneur has invented this holiday beach locker that screws into the sand. Picture: Kickstarter Source: Supplied

COULD this be the end of hiding your wallet under a beach towel?

A clever entrepreneur has invented a plastic vault which screws into the sand and holds personal items like purses, keys and money.

Marcal DaCunha's Beach Vault, expected to retail for $US30 ($33), has a waterproof lid to keep out any liquids and then covered by a towel and pillowcase.

While DaCunha, a pastor from New Jersey, admits the capsule isn't thief-proof, he said your belongings are safer undergroud than out in the open.

"The idea is you then place the towel over the top of it, which has a hole in it so you can access the container, but covered by a built-in pillow," the 29-year-old told a British newspaper.

"This means that when you are lying down you are directly on top of your stuff and you don't have to worry about someone taking anything."

Safe ... your valuables can be stored away in the vault, buried in the sand and hidden by your towel. Picture: Kickstarter Source: Supplied

DaCunha and his wife Krystal have developed a functional prototype and are now trying to raise money on Kickstarter to manufacture the Beach Vault.

DaCunha said the hidden vault was his wife's idea, who thought of it while she was travelling home from the beach.

"She said 'What if we had a container you could put underneath your towel that could hide all of your stuff?'," DaCunha said.

"The idea was that if you were lying on the towel and you fell asleep you wouldn't have to worry about watching your stuff or trying to keep hold of it while closing your eyes."

23.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rolf’s tongue-kiss ‘repulsed’

A woman who alleges Rolf Harris indecently assaulted her has rejected suggestions she instigated relations.

Artist and television personality Rolf Harris arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, England. Picture: Peter Macdiarmid Source: Getty Images

A WOMAN has described the tears of relief that washed over her as they "got the bastard" and arrested Rolf Harris four decades after he allegedly indecently groped her on the dance floor in New Zealand.

Three women from different corners of the world gave evidence against the 84-year-old entertainer yesterday including one who alleged he apologised to her moments after an assault.

A New Zealand woman told the court she was working for a wine company serving sparkling wine at a function on North Island in 1970 when she was about 16 years.

She said she saw the then famous star and had asked him for an autograph. He in turned asked her for a dance and it was while they were on the dance floor of the function at a local restaurant that he allegedly assaulted her.

"In a flash, in a moment I saw the dark side of a man who I thought could be trusted," the woman said.

"We were in a public place. He slid his hand down by back then up under my dress and put his hand between my dress."

The woman cried in court as she recalled how she pulled away and after collecting her belongings immediately left the venue before her shift had finished. She later told her mother but did not report it to police. In 2013 when Harris was arrested the woman described her elation.

"Oh I told you they'd finally get the bastard, I was so relieved, all these years later it was unbelievable the relief I felt," she said after she contacted an Australian media group to help find a contact for police to report the incident.

Veteran Australian entertainer Rolf Harris, centre, who is accused of indecent assault, accompanied by members of his family, arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London. Picture: Lefteris Pitarakis Source: AP

Under cross examination by Harris' lawyer Sonia Woodley QC she reacted with anger at suggestions she had made the story up and the "twisting of her words".

"How do you sleep at night?" she asked Ms Woodley loudly to which the lawyer replied she had a job to do.

Another witness from the UK then described how she was allegedly assaulted while on holiday in Malta with a boyfriend. She said Harris had given the couple some advice on where there was a doctor after the boyfriend cut his foot. The woman returned to the beach bar where they had encountered Harris and two men to thank him and let him know things were okay. It was at this point the woman, then 18 years old, said she saw a large framed drawing on the wall of two little boys with two rocking horses in the bar which Harris confirmed he had painted. He then invited her to a back room ostensibly to see other works.

The woman alleged Harris had pushed her up against a wall in the room and started to kiss her. She said she initially felt flattered by a friendly kiss but then it turned "slobbery" and he put his hands over her breasts and later under her skirt, into her underwear and into her vagina and grabbed her hand and put it over his clothes onto his penis. She said the motion was all very quick when he suddenly stopped, cuddled her and said "I'm sorry" before leading her back out to the bar area.

An earlier witness from Darwin recalled 1969 when she was staying with friends as a sick 11 year old and Harris, also staying at the home, asked her how old she was.

She said she told him and he then allegedly replied "Good I want to be the first one to introduce you to a tongue kiss".

"I just stood there, I didn't say anything, I froze … then he walked up towards me," she said and described the kiss which she said had affected her relationships and intimacy for years.

Under cross examination Ms Woodley asked if it was that incident that affected her relationships or the fact she had been allegedly assaulted by a cousin when she was 17 to which the woman said it was the Harris assault when she was a child.

Harris has pled not guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault.

The case is continuing.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

MasterChef’s Nick puts heart on the line

Nick Doyle reads out an inspirational letter from his nan. Courtesy: Masterchef/Channel Ten.

Elimination: Nick Doyle gets the bad news from the judges. Source: Channel 10

A HEARTFELT letter with inspirational advice from Nick Doyle's Nan wasn't enough to save the cuddly cake maker in MasterChef's Monday night elimination.

The 22-year old arts/law student came a cropper due to his non-crispy crackling and crappy cress puree. Doyle's difficulty in distinguishing between cod and trout proved fatal when he dried out the wrong fish's skin for crackling for the competition's most difficult dish so far: Alla Wolf Tasker's Rivers and Lakes.

Not quite right ... Nick's attempt at Alla Wolf Tasker's Rivers and Lakes had a few flaws. Source: Channel 10

Presenting the dish to the judges, Doyle read out a letter from his Nan, who helped raise him after his parents split up when he was a toddler.

"With that letter she really just wanted me to back myself and fight for my place in the competition," Doyle says. "She used to be a chef and passed her love of food on to my Mum who passed it on to me. (But) I knew that she, and Mum as well, would have been proud of me regardless of what happened."

While an emotional story has helped more than one contestant scrape through in seasons past, this year's exacting standards are sending competitors packing for relatively minor mistakes.

Devastated: Nick gets emotional in his post-elimination interview. Source: Channel 10

The "devastated" contestant says he'd convinced himself "for about two seconds" when the dish was unveiled that it might be a dessert.

"But as soon as I saw it was a whole plate of seafood I knew I was going home," he says. "Mum doesn't like seafood and we never had it in the house. I've never eaten it or prepared it."

His watercress puree, which he admits was "like wet grass", was also judged a big fail.

"At the last minute I put it on the plate and wish I didn't, but I don't think that would have saved me," he says.

Line up ... Nick, Sarah and Sean square off for battle. Source: Channel 10

A massive MasterChef fan who's "never missed an episode ever" Doyle says he felt unworthy of making it through the elimination.

"Part of me would have felt I had cheated Sean or Sarah if they'd gone home instead of me," he says. "This season is about the best cooks in the country and I believe Sean and Sarah are two of the best cooks in the competition."

A fan-favourite, Doyle was as popular inside the house as he is with viewers. He says this year's contestants are closer than any before and reveals he hopes to start up a catering company with his best buds in the house — Georgia, Brent and Laura: "We call ourselves the awesome foursome," he says. "We were always talking about doing something outside (the house) catering or even pop up dinners."

Popularity contest ... Sean bids goodbye to Nick. Source: Channel 10

The competition's "gentle giant" Doyle could have easily been a contender on The Biggest Loser. He dropped a third of his body weight — around 50kgs — in the eight months before the competition began. Since returning to his studies at the University of Newcastle he's had to abandon a planned food blog after realising "I'd have to put all my writing back into my degree" but he has started up a catering outfit called The Green Room. They plan on opening a market stall in Newcastle soon.

"I've got a friend making cupcakes, another doing sugar free vegan (cakes) and I'm doing the gourmet desserts," he says.

Nick is leaves the Masterchef kitchen after being eliminated on May 19. Courtesy: Masterchef/Channel Ten

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Game of Thrones exposes disturbing secret

Winter is coming, Sansa. Oh, good, you got the gloves. Source: Supplied

SPOILER ALERT. This article discusses major plot points from Game of Thrones episode seven. If you haven't caught up yet, stop reading now.

Stop the ravens. Finally, it has been confirmed. As we have all suspected since the first time he opened his mouth, Littlefinger's creepiness knows absolutely no bounds.

Any persistent doubts were crushed when he kissed Sansa Lannister this week. At last, Littlefinger's obsession with anything (or anyone) remotely related to his old love, Catelyn, passed from the realm of curious quotes and lingering stares to that of actual, physical creeping.

Radiohead's Creep is Littlefinger's anthem. Source: Supplied

"You might have been my child," he said, just before locking lips with Sansa. See what I mean? The guy wants to be a father figure to Sansa. But he also wants to be her lover. How disturbing.

We shouldn't be surprised. Game of Thrones is full of what you might call "odd couples", although most of the others tend to warm our hearts instead of chilling our bones. Elsewhere in Westeros and Essos, it was an intriguing episode for Arya/Sandor, Brienne/Podrick and Daario/Daenerys.

We were introduced to one fresh pairing as well. Oberyn visited Tyrion in his cell, where they shared a deep and meaningful chat, joked about the joys of brothels, and became unlikely allies.

Tyrion gets more visitors than The Following's Joe Carroll. Source: Supplied

Oberyn volunteered to be Tyrion's champion in his trial by combat.

That trial is definitely something to salivate over until the season resumes in two weeks.

REMINDER: We're discussing the TV show here. If you've read the books, that's fantastic, but keep any earth-shattering spoilers to yourself or I'll set Gregor Clegane on you. Then you won't be alive to read the rest of the series.

Key points

•The Kingslayer Brothers reconvened in that rather spacious prison cell, where Jaime berated Tyrion for being harebrained and suicidal. "You threw your life away, you threw it away!" he said. "I thought you were a realist. Didn't realise you'd die by pride." Tyrion made it pretty clear that he wanted Jaime to fight for him in his trial by combat. But his brother wasn't about to do anything stupid.

Jamie used to be "handy" to have around. Source: Supplied

"My training has proved that I can't beat a stableboy with my left hand," Jaime said.

•Tyrion wondered whether renowned slimeball Ser Merryn Trant would act as Cersei's champion. "Not Ser Merryn," Jaime said. Then the scene cut away to a view of Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane cleaving some helpless men into small, bloody pieces. Cersei walked up to the beast of a bloke and complimented him on his form, as one does. "Who am I fighting?" Gregor asked. "Does it matter?" she replied. The Mountain shook his head. I think he expects to win.

Little in the middle, but Gregor's got your back. Source: Supplied

•From one brother to another. Sandor and Arya stumbled across a man who was dying slowly from a wound to his abdomen. After some morbid chit chat that gave us a more intimate look at Arya's attitude towards death (extremely apathetic), Sandor put the guy out of his misery by stabbing him in the heart. Then he was attacked out of nowhere by a familiar face.

•Said face belonged to one of the prisoners Yoren was transporting to the Wall back in season two. He once threatened Arya, saying he'd "f**k her bloody" with a stick, although this time he was looking to earn a bounty of 100 silver stags by killing Sandor. "You thought you were going to collect it? Didn't think very hard, did you?" the Hound said. After learning the man's name (Rorge) so she could add it to her kill list, Arya stabbed him through the heart, copying Sandor's technique from moments earlier. "You're learning," he said. Positive feedback is always nice.

Geez, that Arya's a quick learner. Source: Supplied

•Jon's triumphant return to Castle Black was dampened by Ser Alliser Thorne. Jon suggested sealing the tunnel under the fortress to keep the approaching wildling army out, but Thorne shot him down emphatically. Jon appears to be getting sick of the acting Lord Commander, and who can blame him? The bloke is a constant Thorne in his side.

•Tyrion's cell is fast becoming the most popular social spot in King's Landing. He received another visit, this time from Bronn, who was conspicuously absent from the trial last week. That's because Cersei gave him a wife, a shot at living in a castle and, apparently, a rather nice cape. Tyrion tried to bribe Bronn into fighting on his behalf, but again, his pleas fell short of the mark. "I'd be a bloody fool if (Gregor) didn't frighten me," Bronn said. "He's freakish big and freakish strong ... When have you ever risked your life for me?" The pair parted on surprisingly good terms though. "I'm sorry it had to be this way," Bronn said. "Why are you sorry?" Tyrion replied. "Because you're an evil bastard with no conscience and no heart? That's what I liked about you in the first place." Bromance never dies.

Daario, you silver-tongued fox, you. Source: Supplied

•Over in Meereen, Daario crept into Daenerys's private chamber and tried to chat her up, while also requesting permission to retake Yunkai from its resurgent masters. "I only have two talents in this world. War and women," he said. "Here in Meereen, I cannot pursue my talents ... Send me to do what I do best." At this point, Dany decided to enjoy herself for once. "Very well. Do what you do best. Take off your clothes," she said. Fill in the gaps yourself.

•Later, Ser Friend Zone passed Daario on his way to Dany's room. "Are you here to see our queen? She's in a good mood," Daario said. Cheeky bugger. Friend Zone proceeded to berate Dany for being reckless (i.e. sleeping with Daario instead of him). She told him she'd ordered Daario to execute every master in Yunkai, as justice for treating their slaves like beasts. "Herding the masters into pens and slaughtering them by the thousands is also treating them like beasts," Friend Zone, an ex-slaver himself, said. "I wouldn't be here to help you if Ned Stark had done to me what you want to do to the masters of Yunkai." He convinced her to give the masters a choice. "They can live in my new world or they can die in their old one," Dany said.

Shave and a haircut, boom, boom! Right, Sandor? Source: Supplied

•Sandor finally opened up to Arya, telling her about the day Gregor burned his face. "The pain was bad. The smell was worse," he said. "But the worst thing was that it was my brother who did it. And my father who protected him, told everyone my bedding caught fire." Arya was touched. I was touched. Everyone felt for the Hound in that moment. He's a softie at heart.

•Brienne and Pod stopped at a tavern, where they were served by ... Hot Pie! Yes, Hot Pie. We all missed him. He gave the pair an overenthusiastic lecture about the importance of gravy, and even managed to call the Stark seat "Winterhell" (classic Hot Pie) before telling them Arya was still alive. Armed with that surprising piece of information, Brienne and Pod set off for the Eyrie.

•Tyrion's third visitor was also his most interesting by far. "Imagined you'd be back at the brothel at this hour," he told Oberyn. "I've got every kind of filth down here, except the type I like." The Dornish prince told Tyrion about Cersei's attempt to win him over a few weeks ago. "Cersei approached me," he said. "She was trying very hard to pretend she had not come to sway me against you ... She desperately wants to see you killed."

•Oberyn proceeded to tell Tyrion about their first meeting long ago, when the imp was just a baby. Back then, Cersei had intended to display her brother to her visitors from the south as though he were some sort of freak. "That's not a monster, I told Cersei. That's just a baby," Oberyn said. He was sympathetic towards Tyrion then, and he still is now. "I want to bring those who have wronged me to justice, and all those who have wronged me are right here," he said. "I will begin with Gregor Clegane. I will be your champion."

•At the Eyrie, Sansa indulged in a spot of nostalgia by building a model of Winterfell in the snow. Robin appeared, and they chatted for a while. Everything was going so smoothly ... then Robin broke the snow model. Sansa lost her temper, he went full blown insane, and she ended up slapping him across the face. Oops. As Robin ran off, Littlefinger walked out of the shadows. "I hit him ... I shouldn't have," Sansa said. "No, his mother should have, a long time ago," Littlefinger replied. How about that? Parenting advice from a bloodthirsty pimp.

•Having settled down somewhat, Sansa asked Littlefinger why he really killed Joffrey. This was his illuminating response: "I loved your mother more than you could ever know. Given the opportunity, what do we do to those who've hurt the ones we love? In a better world, one where love could overcome strength and duty, you might have been my child. But we don't live in that world ... You're more beautiful than she ever was." Then he kissed her. Urgh. To make matters worse, Lysa was standing in the background, watching them.

•Later, Lysa asked Sansa to kneel next to her in the Eyrie's main chamber, looking down through the moon door. "I know what you did," she said, her voice rising. "He is mine. My father, my husband, my sister ... they all stood between us, and now they're all dead. That's what happens to people who stand between Petyr and me!"

•Again, Littlefinger walked in on the confrontation. "Lysa! Let her go," he said. "I'll send her away. I swear on my life. I swear to all the Gods." Lysa let Sansa scramble away from the moon door, and Littlefinger took his wife in his arms. "I have only loved one woman," he said. "Only one, my entire life. Your sister." Then he pushed Lysa, sending her tumbling through the moon door to her death.

Best one-liner

In a single sentence, Ser Friend Zone taught Daenerys an important lesson about mercy.

"I wouldn't be here to help you if Ned Stark had done to me what you want to do to the masters of Yunkai," he said.

Jorah used to sell slaves, and was exiled by Ned Stark for his crimes. Now, as far as Dany is concerned, he has redeemed himself. His point? If she were to execute every master in Yunkai, she would rob them of the same chance at redemption.

Best Tywannical glare

There was a brief moment of tension between the Kingslayer Brothers, when Tyrion started to rabbit on about Jaime being "the golden boy" of the family. Jaime didn't appreciate his brother's tone. One glare made that obvious.

"Careful. I'm the last friend you've got," he said.

On the whole, this episode was sorely lacking in quality glares. The solution for next week is simple. Add some Tywin, stir and repeat.

Not to put a too finer point on it, Melisandre needs better security. Source: Supplied

Nipple count

Just four this week, although they were given a lot of screen time. Selyse walked in on Melisandre while she was having a bath, and Gregor went topless while he disembowelled some unfortunate souls.

"Hodor" count

Nada. There has been a sharp decline in Hodor frequency lately. In fact, you could say Game of Thrones has become completely Hodorless.

Least appropriate sexual tension

I'm sure we were all creeped out when Littlefinger kissed Sansa, right after telling her she "could have been his child". Urgh.

Most disgusting moment

Gregor was painting the ground red a little too enthusiastically when Cersei showed up to say hello. She had to step over some poor sod's innards. Not a pleasant sight.

Beyond that, an honourable mention must go to Lysa's colourful description of "death by moon door".

"It's fascinating, what happens to bodies when they hit the rocks from such a height. The impact breaks them right apart, like eggs dropped on the floor," she said. "Sometimes, pieces remain intact. You'll find the head sitting on its own, every hair in place."

You can't help but wonder what happened to her own head moments later.

Lighten up Dany. Don't be so ... business-like. Source: Supplied

Most Sansastically irritating character

Daenerys. Talk about bad leadership. Is she really willing to turn her most trusted henchmen against each other for a bit of tomfoolery in the sack?

You never see Tywin sleeping with other key characters, and he seems to have a pretty good handle on things. Having said that, I still think he and Olenna could have a lot of fun together.

Burning questions

•Who will win the big duel between Oberyn and Gregor? The Viper is a fascinating character, so I'd like to think he will survive, but you never know with this show.

•What happens to Robin now? Is Littlefinger really going to bother raising a kid who's crazier than Joffrey?

•When will Jon lead a popular uprising against Alliser Thorne? I'm assuming it's a question of when, not if.

•Will Arya make it to the Eyrie to be reunited with Sansa? Or will something horrible and traumatic get in the way?

What did you think of episode seven? Comment below (no book spoilers please), or talk to us on Twitter: @SamClench | @newscomauHQ

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Garwood inks place on The Voice

Musical theatre singer Matthew Garwood has used the blind auditions to his advantage and winning a place on Team Ricky.

VOICE INK: Tasmanian singer Matthew Garwood performs All I Ask Of You. Pic supplied/Nine. Source: Supplied

MATTHEW Garwood knows all about the importance of creating a good first impression.

Raised the grandson of Baptist church minister, blessed with a voice that belongs on Broadway and with a hunger to take his talents to the world, the 24-year-old Tasmanian looked to The Voice to make his mark.

But it was his eye-catching ink which had the show's celebrity coaches on their feet and so tongue-tied they forgot to even ask the singer his name.

Using the blind audition concept to his advantage, the musical theatre performer sealed the final place on Ricky Martin's team with a flawless rendition of The Phantom Of The Opera classic, All Of Ask Of You.

After turning Martin's chair, Garwood turned more heads with his colourful body art, which is inked across his chest, up one arm, over both hands, from "big toe to butt cheek" on one leg and reaching right up to his chin.

TEAM RICKY: Matthew Garwood wowed the judges with his mix of musical theatre and body art. Source: Supplied

Dazzled by what Joel Madden described as the "juxtaposition" of his look and sound, coach will.i.am thought the Launceston singer had pranked The Voice audience, teasing: "I know what happened ... you're messing with us. Somebody else was singin' and then you came out and took their place, huh?"

Madden, a tattoo devotee, said with Garwood's look he should have been singing songs by Welsh metal band, Bullet For My Valentine.

But it's in defying those expectations, Garwood told NewsCorp, that he finds his musical ambition and satisfaction.

``It's what's so great about The Voice. You aren't judged on your appearance and why it's perfect for me," he said.

"I could go up there and completely feel comfortable in what I (was) doing without being judged on appearance."

While will.i.am was playing safe with the final places on his team, he told the Team Ricky singer he liked his look and sound. Or as he put it "the fusion without the confusion."

Garwood told the coaches he didn't want to be "pin-holed as just a musical theatre singer" but embraced the genre's sense of dramatics, which he clearly embraces in his personal sense of style.

ROCK ON: The Voice contestant Matthew Garwood got his first tattoo at 18. Pic/Ross Marsden. Source: News Corp Australia

So swept up in examining his ink up close, Garwood was back in the green room celebrating with his proud parents (his dad in tears) when the coaches realised they had forgotten to ask his name.

Martin ran back stage to get to know his final artist a little better, telling him: "I have spent hours, days, sitting in that chair waiting for your sound, waiting for that tone, waiting for your approach and I am really happy you're on my team."

While Madden play acted his interest in Garwood as he performed, during the actual tapings the Good Charlotte frontman had filled his team by that stage and could not have chosen the tattooed singer.

With only one night left to air of blind auditions, the competition is tightening up with only four of nine singers winning through to the battle rounds during Monday night's episode.

Sydney surfer girl Laura-Leigh Smith and Kiwi-born hip hop and musical theatre singer Courtney Hale both won places on Team Joel; while Melbourne electrician scored with Team Kylie.

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MH370 pilot’s family tackles tales

Who is the captain behind the the missing Malaysia Airlines plane? The WSJ's Mark Magnier reveals a portrait of Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the man who piloted Flight 370.

Pointing the finger ... Malaysia's acting Transport Minister and Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein says Malaysia's military was called and asked to keep an eye on MH370. Source: AP

A NUMBER of authorities, including the Malaysian military, reportedly let MH370 disappear, according to shocking new claims about the missing plane.

ABC's Four Corners program quoted Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as saying that Malaysia's civil aviation authorities called the military asking them to keep an eye on the plane but that the military allowed the plane to glide out to sea.

The plane was deemed not to be hostile and therefore the military did not send a plane up to investigate.

"If (we didn't) shoot it down, why send it (jet up)," Mr Hussein said.

MH370 flew almost directly over the Malaysian military air base located on the island of Penang but that it appeared nothing was done.

Anwar Ibrahim said the military had completely breached the standing operating procedures.

"The air force will be alerted and will have to then be flown to that area to either ... guide the plane to land or to leave the Malaysian airspace. They're standard operating procedure and this was never done," he said.

"Yeah I mean it's a major scandal here because ... this is of course amounting to a major threat to national security."

Happy family ... A screen capture from a You Tube tribute for Malaysian Airlines pilot Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, posted by his family. Source: YouTube

MORE: Doubts raised over 'ping' validity

The program also addressed rumours that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah's wife had left him.

His brother-in-law, Asuad Khan, said claims that his sister Faizah had left Zaharie, taking their children with her to another house, in the hours prior to the ill-fated flight's take off were "completely false".

Mr Khan also denied that his 53-year-old brother-in-law was experiencing personal problems, had been upset about politics or that he was unfit to fly on March 8.

He said the veteran pilot's marriage was not in trouble over a rumoured affair, saying that as a Muslim he was permitted to have multiple girlfriends outside his marriage.

Close family ... Ahmad Seth Zaharie, 26, with his sister Aishah Zaharie, 27, left, and mother Faizah Khanum Mustafa Khan. Source: Supplied

RELATED: Pilot's family lash out at reporters

"Even I don't believe it because she, she's at home. Well the normal procedure for their ... whenever the husband fly the wife will go to another house where the younger son's staying. Otherwise she will be alone in that big house. That's been practised since they bought the house."

It was claimed Captain Zaharie had received a two-minute phone call shortly before takeoff from a mystery woman, using a mobile phone number obtained under a false name.

Family of missing Malaysian Airlines Captain Zaharie Shah from flight MH370 pay tribute to him. Courtesy: Chumguan Phoon/YouTube

MORE: Captain Zaharie's 'mystery phonecall'

Mr Khan defended his brother-in-law's right to have a girlfriend.

"That I do not know about. Even if I know I said why not? We are allowed to, as long as you take good care of your wife. Even if you ask my sister and she said she don't care," he said.

"He can marry another one. Why not — we can marry four. We are Muslim."

Technical experts in the US were also working to recover deleted information from a sophisticated flight simulator Zaharie had set up on a home computer.

But Mr Khan said the simulator had not been used this year.

"I don't think so because the simulator is not working," he said.

"That simulator was dismantled already, the things crash. It don't work so he got to ah reformat the drive."

Family ties ... Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah and daughter Aishah Zaharie. Source: Facebook. Source: Facebook

RELATED: Captain Zaharie's daughter 'was in Australia'

Mr Khan also said Zaharie had not attended the trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that day, which some reports suggested proved he had been radicalised and had hijacked the plane in an act of terror.

"No. I ask my sister personally, even my sister herself informed him on what happened on that day," he said.

The program also claimed that someone inside the cockpit began interfering with the in-flight entertainment system around the time MH370's transponder was turned off or failed.

It also revealed that a team of up to five officers could or should have been on duty at the nearby radar operations centre at Butterworth air base looking for unidentified aircraft.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

This should be NSW Origin team

Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds says it would be amazing if both he and teammate Trent Hodkinson were picked for NSW.

NSW will need maximum involvement from Hayne, and fullback is where he can offer that. Source: News Limited

WE are not "experts". Neither, we assume, are you. For this, we should all be very grateful.

For eight years, so-called expert selectors have picked some of the worst so-called NSW teams imaginable.

CANTERBURY TO DOMINATE NSW STATE OF ORIGIN SQUAD

BLUES TO TURN ORIGIN INTO DOG FIGHT

They've probably got it wrong again. We thought we'd encourage you to have your say.

NSW will want to see plenty of this next week. Tries, that is, not grass. Source: News Limited

Below are the preferred NSW teams of news.com.au's three sports writers.

We don't pretend to have it 100 per cent right, and there's no doubt we've thrown a couple of our respective club favourites in.

But we reckon we're doing better than the lunatics who've picked Mitchell Pearce in six different series.

Have your say below and name your NSW team. We promise to upload as many of your comments as possible.

We'll even compile a readers' team based on your suggestions, so keep them rolling in.

ANTHONY "BLOCKER" SHARWOOD'S TEAM

Chris Lawrence here in his heyday in 2011 when Australian selectors could see what those genius NSW selectors couldn't. By Ant Sharwood's reckoning, he's back to that sort of form. Source: AFP

1. Jarryd Hayne. NSW needs him to be involved. Must not be wasted on the wing.

2. Daniel Tupou. Young Rooster in scintillating form

3. Josh Morris. All class. picks himself.

4. Chris Lawrence. Finally uninjured, having best season since played for Australia in 2011.

5. Brett Morris. All class. Picks himself. Just like his twin brother.

6. Josh Reynolds. The Bulldogs aren't on top by accident. He's no Thurston, but who is?

7. Jarrod Mullen. Picked in 2007 when too raw. Kicks well, solid percentage player.

8. Aaron Woods. The entertaining Tigers finally have muscle. He's much of the reason why.

9. Robbie Farah. NSW's best playmaker, kicker and top tackler for two years now. Priceless.

10. James Tamou. Would you want to tackle him? Or be tackled by him? Enough said.

11. Anthony Watmough. The kind of warhorse Qld pick every year hut NSW discard too early.

12. Tariq Sims. Fast, mobile, and a big reason Nth Qld are finally winning games.

13 Paul Gallen (c). The toughest man in footy.

BENCH

14. John Sutton. Senior player at club level who deserves a go and can play lots of roles.

15. Luke Lewis. If the Sharks had 13 of him, they'd go unbeaten all year.

16. Jamal Idris. Strike weapon. Deserves second chance after one go at this level in 2010.

17. Ryan Hoffman. No-nonsense Origin player who does everything right.

SAM "CRUSHER" CLENCH'S TEAM

Sam Clench reckons Josh Dugan should have his hand up for a NSW bench spot. Picture Gregg Porteous. Source: News Corp Australia

1. Jarryd Hayne. Hasn't been this dominant since 2009. More consistent than Dugan.

2. Brett Morris. Normally a left winger, but talented enough to play on the right.

3. Michael Jennings. You can't go past Jetboots. Attacking genius, powerful defender.

4. Josh Morris. Has defended well against Inglis in recent series. No brainer.

5. Daniel Tupou. Breaks the line, brilliant in the air, great combo with Jennings.

6. Josh Reynolds. Maloney's form is down, Carney keeps breaking down.

7. Adam Reynolds. Could struggle without Souths' monstrous pack but talented and kicks goals.

8. James Tamou. BIG bopper has given himself an Origin period booze ban.

9. Robbie Farah. More creative than Ennis and far less annoying.

10. Aaron Woods. Boasts form and incumbency. One of the competition's best props.

11. Anthony Watmough. A key player in the NRL's most consistently excellent team.

12. Tariq Sims. Born to play Origin. He's aggression personified. Unleash him.

13. Paul Gallen. Duh.

BENCH

14. Josh Dugan. You need at least one "game-changer" on the bench. Has genuine spark.

15. Ryan Hoffman. Throw him on and watch him rack up a thousand tackles.

16. Luke Lewis. Versatile, classy and utterly dependable.

17. Jamal Idris. Fast, mobile and monstrous. Great hair. Play him as a replacement forward.

CAM "THE BRICK WITH EYEWEAR" TOMARCHIO'S TEAM

Cam Tomarchio reckons Qld could pay a heavy toll if NSW pick Tolman. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

1. Jarryd Hayne. The Blues' best should to play in his best position.

2. Brett Morris. One of the best finishers in rugby league. There is no other option.

3. Josh Morris. A long-time performer at this level. Strong combination with his brother.

4. Michael Jennings. Can make something out of nothing. If fit, he's there.

5. Daniel Tupou. The biggest aerial threat since Israel Folau. Has a knack for the spectacular.

6. Josh Reynolds. One word: "mongrel". A born Origin player. No bigger competitor.

7. Adam Reynolds. Bit of a risk, but could be a long-term option. Can also kick goals.

8. Aaron Woods. Metre-eater with an enormous engine and a workhorse in defence.

9. Robbie Farah. Obviously.

10. James Tamou. Not sold on him, but no one doing enough to force him out.

11. Anthony Watmough. Love gritty players like Choc.

12. Trent Merrin. Greg Bird is a huge loss but this man can aim up.

13. Paul Gallen. Has to be there.

BENCH

14. John Sutton. Great utility value. Can slot into the halves, centres and back row.

15. Aidan Tolman. Let's stop picking fashionable forwards, and go with reliability.

16. Luke Lewis. Versatile, quality.

17. Shaun Fensom. He's earned it.

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Road rage model ‘mows down woman’

Alleged attacker ... self-described model Jill Anjuli Hansen, 30, has a history of police contact. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

A HAWAIIAN surfer who allegedly ploughed her car into a 73-year-old woman in a fit of road rage has been charged with attempted murder.

Jill Anjuli Hansen, 30, allegedly followed Elizabeth Conklin through an apartment carpark and waited for her to get out of the car before driving into the elderly woman on Wednesday.

Hawaii News Now reported that apartment employee Chris Khory saw Hansen reverse her car to hit Conklin again.

But before she could, he grabbed a crowbar and smashed the rear windshield of Hansen's Volkswagen Passat, causing her to jump out her car and run away.

Hansen, a self-described model and professional surfer, was later arrested.

Victim ... Elizabeth Conklin, 73, was allegedly mowed down by an angry driver in Honolulu. Picture: ABC News Source: Supplied

Conklin, who suffered major bruising, said she owed her life to the bystander who fended off her attacker.

"He saw her in her car getting ready to hit me again. He totally saved my life," Conklin told ABC News.

Conklin, who who was rushed to a hospital in Honolulu for treatment, said she believs her attacker wanted to steal her car.

Police have not established a motive.

Hansen, meanwhile, has a history of police contact.

She has a pending assault case and in a separate case was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

There is also an active restraining order filed by her father.

According to the court documents, her father says she used Facebook to find someone to murder him and his family.

Scene ... a bystander smashes the alleged attacker's rear windshield with a crow bar to fend her off. Picture: KHON 2 Source: Supplied

23.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Whiskey a no-go as taps run dry

Drink up... Supply of bourbon is being outstripped by demand. Source: News Corp Australia

IT'S just as well there's a whiskey shortage, because if Federal Budget indications are true, we're not going to have much cash to splash about on the amber spirit.

According to Buffalo Trace, one of America's oldest distilleries, the world is facing a lack of fine bourbon.

With Treasurer Joe Hockey expected to announce a tax on high earners in today's Budget, the company says the taps are running dry as demand for its premium brand has surged 20 per cent in the last year.

"We're making more bourbon every day. In fact, we're distilling more than we have in last 40 years," said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller.

"Still, it's hard to keep up. Although we have more bourbon than last year when we first announced the rolling blackouts, we're still short and there is no way to predict when supply will catch up with demand."

As a taste for the classic drink grows, the struggle to match demand is rooted in the long whiskey ageing process which can take decades and often results in about half the amber spirit being lost to evaporation.

In the meantime, bourbon makers are asking fans of the drink to be patient.

Kris Comstock, Buffalo Trace marketing director, said: "The recent surge in demand is quite flattering, but we just need to keep in mind these bourbons were put into the barrel many years ago."

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Which state wins in the Budget?

Good news: Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Victorian Premier Denis Napthine (right) announce federal funding for Stage 2 of the Melbourne East-West Link. Source: News Corp Australia

THE Coalition is expected to unveil a $40 billion roads infrastructure package in the Budget tomorrow with New South Wales and Queensland looking like the big winners.

In total, the Abbott government is expected to spend about $40 billion over six years on roads, but only about $11 billion of this is new money. Part of this will be funding by an increase to the fuel excise.

The government's contribution will be matched by $42 billion from the states and private sector to deliver $80 billion in road works.

Here is our state-by-state wrap of what major road projects the federal government is expected to include in the Budget and other works it has committed to.

BUDGET: How will it affect your life?

NEW SOUTH WALES

Badgerys Creek airport road upgrades

A $3.5 billion roads plan for Western Sydney, including a new four-lane motorway leading directly to Sydney's second airport, will reportedly form the centrepiece of the federal government's infrastructure package.

The Prime Minister announced the roads plan last month and it will include a new four-lane motorway from the M7 to the Northern Rd, which will also be upgraded to four lanes.

The funding has also helped in fast-tracking the works, which will hopefully begin later this year.

Soaring ahead: The roads infrastructure required to support the proposed Badgerys Creek Airport. Source: News Corp Australia

WestConnex

This is the largest transport project in Australia, linking Sydney's west and southwest with the CBD, Sydney Airport and Port Botany. It is expected to cut travel times between the airport and Parramatta by 40 minutes.

Funding of $1.5 billion over four years was an election commitment. As part of Tuesday's Budget, the federal government is also expected to provide the state with an extra $2 billion loan at a discounted rate.

Works include widening of the M4 east of Parramatta, duplication of the M5 East and the construction of new sections of road to link the two corridors.

The entire project is expected to cost up to $11.5 billion. Construction on the first stage is expected to start in 2015, with the final stage expected to open in 2023.

Goodbye gridlock, will motorists finally get a reprieve from traffic congestion on the M4? Source: News Limited

NorthConnex

The Prime Minister announced in March that the government would provide $405 million for this 9km tunnel, which will link the M1 and M2 motorways in Sydney's north. The $3 billion project will enable motorists to travel by road from Newcastle to Canberra and Melbourne without encountering a single traffic light.

Construction is expected to start within 12 months and be finished in 2019.

Pacific Highway

The Coalition made a $5.6 billion commitment to finish duplication of the highway but this is not expected to be completed until 2020. Many motorists have been killed on this stretch of road but work to convert it to a four-lane divided motorway has been slow and very expensive.

QUEENSLAND

The Sunshine State is expected to receive the second most funding for roads, getting about a third of the $40 billion available over the next six years.

Bruce Highway

Proof that this road stretching from Brisbane to Cairns needs an upgrade was provided last month when it was closed due to a 'sinkhole' caused by water seeping through the road, which some blamed on heavy rains during Tropical Cyclone Ita.

Prior to the election the Coalition promised $6.7 billion over 10 years to make the highway safer and protect it against regular and costly flooding.

It detailed about $2 billion worth of spending but extra spending of $1.6 billion over the first six years is expected to be allocated in the Budget on Tuesday.

The state government had hoped the works would be rolled out earlier than planned but it does not look like this will happen.

This sinkhole forced the closure of the Bruce Highway last month. Source: Supplied

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing

This proposed bypass route of Toowoomba aims to provide a second highway crossing of the Great Dividing Range as well as a partial ring road around the city in the state's southeast.

The project is expected to cost $1.7 billion and will take three years to build.

The federal government promised up to $1.3 million in funding, but only budgeted $130 million at the election.

New spending of $1.2 billion is expected to be announced in the Budget.

The toll road will be the first major road PPP in regional Australia and construction expected to begin by mid-2015.

The 41km bypass will take traffic north off the Warrego Highway and will link with the Gore Highway. The road will be less steep than the current route saving motorists money on fuel, it will also be faster and will provide truckies with a gateway to the resource-rich Surat Basin and the agricultural food bowls of the Darling Downs.

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing works. Source: Supplied

Gateway Motorway north upgrade and the Warrego Highway

The Gateway Motorway from Nudgee to Bracken Ridge, about 11.3km, will be widened from four to six lanes. Funding of almost $1 billion was promised at the last federal election.

The government has also promised $508 million for the Warrego Highway, with $308 million expected to appear in the Budget.

The highway is the state's main east-west freight link and part of the National Highway system linking Darwin and Brisbane.

VICTORIA

East West Link

This 12km roadway in Melbourne is expected to cost $10 billion, and a total of $3 billion in federal funding has been promised. Last month the government announced an extra $1.5 billion for the second stage of the project, in addition to $1.5 billion promised ahead of the election for stage one.

Community advocates say it will help address Melbourne's "significant east west divide" as it will provide another Maribyrnong River crossing, taking pressure off the West Gate Bridge and will connect CityLink to the Western Ring Rd.

Construction on stage two of the controversial East West Link, is set to begin next year, thanks to a $1.5 billion dollar cash splash from the Abbott Government.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Gateway WA Project

This $1 billion project includes upgrades to the Tonkin Highway to improve access to Perth Airport, Kewdale and Forrestfield areas. Federal funding of $686 million has been promised.

Perth Freight Link

Funding of $925 million is expected to be provided for this link that will connect the airport with Fremantle port without traffic lights. The $1.6 billion link is estimated to remove 65,000 trucks a day from local roads and would be the state's first toll road.

Fremantle port will be connected to the airport in Perth as part of a $1.6 billion link. Source: Supplied

Swan Valley Bypass

The Coalition promised $615 million towards the 40km bypass, which is a vital part of the Perth-Darwin highway. It will provide a link between Perth and the mining and tourism regions in Murchison, Pilbara and Kimberley.

Residents will also have their eye on upgrade works for the Great Eastern Highway and almost $500 million in funding — promised by Labor and matched by the Liberals — for the Great Northern Highway ($307.8 million) and North West Coastal Highway, which the government has been accused of trying to "weasel out" of.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Road

There have been clashes between the state and federal governments about how this project should proceed but the State Labor Premier Jay Weatherill has hinted that funding would be included in the Budget.

The Coalition has promised $500 million towards the upgrade of this road in Adelaide.

TASMANIA

Midland Highway upgrade

The Coalition has promised $400 million towards this highway upgrade but there is concern from Labor MPs that the island state will be left out of the Budget.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

There's not been much said about possible funding but the state government's priorities centre around infrastructure.

"We need roads, we need bridges, and either it comes out of this budget or the next budget, we'll wait and see," Chief Minister Adam Giles said.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

There are hopes that the Budget will include funding to duplicate the Barton Highway, which connects Canberra to the Hume Highway at Yass and is part of the route to Melbourne.

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Voice flop an achievement for Beth

Did the coaches on The Voice make the right decision not spinning around for Beth Anderson. Courtesy: Channel Nine

Failed to gain a team spot ... The Voice contestant Beth Anderson sings in the blind audition. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

BETH Anderson had already lost so much, after the death of her brother Kristian — an inspirational cancer campaigner who lost his battle with the disease two years ago.

But without her "counterpart" and role model, the 31-year-old found no joy in the musical passion they once shared.

JESS BERNEY: The Voice contestant's audition divided social media

He'd been there to produce her first album, In The Fall (available on iTunes), featuring a song Everything Fades Away which he would find comfort in during the final days of his life.

The music had died with him, but braving the blind audition stage on The Voice was reward enough for Anderson who sang again for the first time since his death.

It was a moving moment on TV.

Devastated ... Beth Anderson with her late brother Kristian just months before his death. Source: Supplied

THE VOICE: Beth Anderson sings for the first time since brother's death

ANJA NISSEN: The Voice contestant will have pet corn snake destroyed

Even without a single chair turn, the Melbourne-based singer said "something was unlocked" inside her during the performance — reawakening her musical dreams.

Still struggling to reconcile her beloved brother's painful passing, she told News Corp Australia: "I had this moment when I was progressing to the blind audition where I thought, in a really weird way, this makes sense ... he had to go through that so I could get here and whatever comes of the audition doesn't matter because that moment exists because of what he went through."

She said: "it would be so wrong not to tell his story and it's so intertwined I would be robbing him of the gift he gave me."

Her audition song choice, Foo Fighters Times Like These, had special meaning for the young singer, who married her partner of seven years Stuart Walker last year.

"It's just a really great reminder that no matter how awful you feel and no matter how life seems to be going in a particular way, it's in those moments you really do learn to be who you are and to be yourself. I felt a connection with that message and wanted to go out there for my first performance back since he died and really just say 'you know what, this is my story and I'm still going to keep going."

COMMENT BELOW: Did Beth Anderson deserves a team spot?

Hopes Voice appearance will help album sales ... Beth Anderson. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Anderson hopes to use her appearance on The Voice to get traction for the album she produced with her brother's help in his dying days.

During the recording of Everything Fades Away, a track played at Kristian's funeral as his body was carried from the church, the siblings shared an emotional bond she will never forget.

"He just happened to be at the studio and I played him the new song. I'll never forget it ... he sat in this chair, in the corner of the studio, absolutely silent for about 30 seconds and believe me, Kristian always had something to say."

Just months into chemotherapy treatment for his advanced bowel cancer, Beth said: "He just sat there with tears in his eyes and said: 'that does something to me that I can't explain ... that's got something special.' When we went into the studio ... I'm getting teary just remembering it ... I sort of broke down because the pressure really hit me hard. I didn't feel like I could sing the song, the emotion I was feeling, do it justice. I felt like I was failing. And I said to him, 'this is really so much more than just a song.' This song means everything to me and I want you to understand that there's so much in it for me and he just said, 'me too.' So I went away and washed my face and we nailed it in the next vocal take. I can still feel a particular moment in the recording ... the look on his face and the things he did to keep me going during those recording sessions. It had suddenly become clear he wasn't going to make it and we weren't going to win the fight and he started making arrangements for his funeral. He just said to me 'yup, this is it, this is the song, my life's work ...," Anderson said, crying. "It was very surreal."

In a heartwarming family postscript, Anderson revealed Kristian's wife Rachel and their sons Cody and Jakob have returned to live in her homeland of New Zealand, where Rachel recently found love again and has remarried.

"Rachel was 100 per cent behind me and supportive. She's extremely happy and that's all we could wish for her," Anderson said.

"She did the long, hard yards with Kristian and she feels (her new husband, who Beth declined to name) is great for her and it's great to see her get a second chance ... everybody wants that for her. The boys are such characters, they always have been, but they're so like Kristian. They are tough little guys, beautiful kids and they get on so well with Rachel's husband and that's important and all we could have hoped for them."

Family ... Beth Anderson, with husband Stuart Walker and nephews Cody and Jakob Anderson. Source: Supplied

Beth Anderson posing for her audition on The Voice. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Also on The Voice tonight Kristal West, the granddaughter of the late indigenous land rights activist Eddie Mabo, won a place, with her singing partner Zaachariah Fielding.

Weeping with pride at her "babies" success back stage, Mabo's widow Bonita was overjoyed when the Central Australia duet wowed will.i.am with their soulful harmonies on a cover of Justin Beiber's As Long As You Love Me.

Later, the friends of just five years introduced themselves to their new coach who inquired a

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Voice flop an achievement for Beth

Did the coaches on The Voice make the right decision not spinning around for Beth Anderson. Courtesy: Channel Nine

Failed to gain a team spot ... The Voice contestant Beth Anderson sings in the blind audition. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

BETH Anderson had already lost so much, after the death of her brother Kristian — an inspirational cancer campaigner who lost his battle with the disease two years ago.

But without her "counterpart" and role model, the 31-year-old found no joy in the musical passion they once shared.

JESS BERNEY: The Voice contestant's audition divided social media

He'd been there to produce her first album, In The Fall (available on iTunes), featuring a song Everything Fades Away which he would find comfort in during the final days of his life.

The music had died with him, but braving the blind audition stage on The Voice was reward enough for Anderson who sang again for the first time since his death.

It was a moving moment on TV.

Devastated ... Beth Anderson with her late brother Kristian just months before his death. Source: Supplied

THE VOICE: Beth Anderson sings for the first time since brother's death

ANJA NISSEN: The Voice contestant will have pet corn snake destroyed

Even without a single chair turn, the Melbourne-based singer said "something was unlocked" inside her during the performance — reawakening her musical dreams.

Still struggling to reconcile her beloved brother's painful passing, she told News Corp Australia: "I had this moment when I was progressing to the blind audition where I thought, in a really weird way, this makes sense ... he had to go through that so I could get here and whatever comes of the audition doesn't matter because that moment exists because of what he went through."

She said: "it would be so wrong not to tell his story and it's so intertwined I would be robbing him of the gift he gave me."

Her audition song choice, Foo Fighters Times Like These, had special meaning for the young singer, who married her partner of seven years Stuart Walker last year.

"It's just a really great reminder that no matter how awful you feel and no matter how life seems to be going in a particular way, it's in those moments you really do learn to be who you are and to be yourself. I felt a connection with that message and wanted to go out there for my first performance back since he died and really just say 'you know what, this is my story and I'm still going to keep going."

COMMENT BELOW: Did Beth Anderson deserves a team spot?

Hopes Voice appearance will help album sales ... Beth Anderson. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Anderson hopes to use her appearance on The Voice to get traction for the album she produced with her brother's help in his dying days.

During the recording of Everything Fades Away, a track played at Kristian's funeral as his body was carried from the church, the siblings shared an emotional bond she will never forget.

"He just happened to be at the studio and I played him the new song. I'll never forget it ... he sat in this chair, in the corner of the studio, absolutely silent for about 30 seconds and believe me, Kristian always had something to say."

Just months into chemotherapy treatment for his advanced bowel cancer, Beth said: "He just sat there with tears in his eyes and said: 'that does something to me that I can't explain ... that's got something special.' When we went into the studio ... I'm getting teary just remembering it ... I sort of broke down because the pressure really hit me hard. I didn't feel like I could sing the song, the emotion I was feeling, do it justice. I felt like I was failing. And I said to him, 'this is really so much more than just a song.' This song means everything to me and I want you to understand that there's so much in it for me and he just said, 'me too.' So I went away and washed my face and we nailed it in the next vocal take. I can still feel a particular moment in the recording ... the look on his face and the things he did to keep me going during those recording sessions. It had suddenly become clear he wasn't going to make it and we weren't going to win the fight and he started making arrangements for his funeral. He just said to me 'yup, this is it, this is the song, my life's work ...," Anderson said, crying. "It was very surreal."

In a heartwarming family postscript, Anderson revealed Kristian's wife Rachel and their sons Cody and Jakob have returned to live in her homeland of New Zealand, where Rachel recently found love again and has remarried.

"Rachel was 100 per cent behind me and supportive. She's extremely happy and that's all we could wish for her," Anderson said.

"She did the long, hard yards with Kristian and she feels (her new husband, who Beth declined to name) is great for her and it's great to see her get a second chance ... everybody wants that for her. The boys are such characters, they always have been, but they're so like Kristian. They are tough little guys, beautiful kids and they get on so well with Rachel's husband and that's important and all we could have hoped for them."

Family ... Beth Anderson, with husband Stuart Walker and nephews Cody and Jakob Anderson. Source: Supplied

Beth Anderson posing for her audition on The Voice. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

Also on The Voice tonight Kristal West, the granddaughter of the late indigenous land rights activist Eddie Mabo, won a place, with her singing partner Zaachariah Fielding.

Weeping with pride at her "babies" success back stage, Mabo's widow Bonita was overjoyed when the Central Australia duet wowed will.i.am with their soulful harmonies on a cover of Justin Beiber's As Long As You Love Me.

Later, the friends of just five years introduced themselves to their new coach who inquired a

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How to decode Budget jargon

David Koch gives a preview of what to expect from this years Federal budget.

Australian governments have long relied on the so-called levy to fund healthcare initiatives, rebuild after natural disasters and advance social crusades.

Will he be smiling tonight ... Treasurer Joe Hockey at a press conference at Parliament House, Canberra. Source: Supplied

PLANNING on living under a rock for the next 48 hours?

No? Well then chances are sometime soon someone is going to try to engage you in conversation about the federal budget.

The nation's economic boffins are converging on Canberra today to pour over the details of Joe Hockey's first budget.

Can't tell your net debt from your GDP? Fear not, here is a handy, cut out and keep, guide to decoding the budget jargon and sounding like an economic whiz in no time.

FEDERAL BUDGET 2014: In a nutshell

FIRING LINE: Federal agencies to cop it bad

First Budget ... Treasurer Joe Hockey puts final touches to his first plans to reduce national debt. Source: Supplied

DEFICIT

Context: "I am really worried about the size of the government's budget deficit."

This sounds like a simple one. Obviously, deficits are bad, m'kay? But why? A deficit is created when government spending exceeds government revenue in any one year. The budget deficit for the financial year about to end is on course to clock in at nearly $50 billion. While the government raised about $365 billion in taxes in the year, it spent an even greater amount — about $410 billion. The shortfall between the two is the government's deficit for the year. (If it raises more in tax than it spends, the government gets a surplus. But don't worry, that hasn't happened in a while …)

DEBT

Context: "I am really worried about the size of the federal government's debt."

When the government does not have enough revenue to fund its spending, it has to borrow the difference. It goes to financial markets and asks investors to lend it the money to fund the difference. Every time it does this, it adds to the government's stock of debt — it's credit card balance, if you will. If the government runs surpluses, it can begin paying off this debt. Just like you and me, the government must pay interest on its debts.

NET DEBT

Context: "I am not worried about the government's debt, because its net debt position is much lower."

When you buy a house, you take on a big mortgage. But you also get a big asset — a house. The government also has assets that it owns. If it really needed to, it could sell off some of these assets to pay off its debts. So economists like to talk about government debt in terms of "net debt": the difference between the value of the government's debts and the value of its assets. Net debt is always lower than debt.

THE FORWARD ESTIMATES

Context: "Gosh, Hockey has delivered significant savings over the budget forward estimates."

Four years. That's all that means. By convention, the budget forecasts are presented for the coming financial year and the following three years. So this budget is the 2014-15 budget, and will take us out to 2017-18. This period is called the "forward estimates". Anything beyond that is "beyond the forward estimates" (that's where governments like to hide all the spending).

GDP

Context: "Wow, the government's forecasts for GDP growth have been revised upwards."

GDP stands for "gross domestic product". It's basically the value of Australia's economic output in any one year. Currently, Australians collectively produce about $1.5 trillion dollars' worth of goods and services each year. This generally grows in value over time as the population grows and we get more efficient at making stuff. The government is currently assuming the Australian economy will grow 2.5 per cent in the coming financial year, but it's likely this will prove pessimistic, and could be revised up in this budget.

NOMINAL GDP

Context: "Ah, but what really matters for government revenue is nominal GDP."

Nominal GDP is a measure of economic output that adjusts for the prices foreigners actually pay us. During the mining boom, nominal GDP grew by much faster than GDP because of a steep rise in Australia's export prices. This led to a windfall in taxation receipts. Since the GFC, nominal GDP has been growing much slower and even shrinking as commodity prices have fallen. The government's forecasts for nominal GDP also look too weak and may be revised up today.

FISCAL CONSOLIDATION

Context: "Spending cuts in this budget will only add to the pace of fiscal consolidation."

This is the main game for Hockey right now. Fiscal consolidation is when you start to have smaller deficits because you have increased taxes or cut spending. It's the opposite of fiscal expansion, which is what the government did during the global financial crisis by increasing spending. "Fiscal" just refers to the policies of government. It's different to "monetary policy" which refers to the Reserve Bank's decisions on interest rates.

INDEXATION

Context: "I think the way they have changed the indexation of welfare payments is really stingy."

All government welfare payments are "indexed" in some way which means that they increase in value over time. If a payment was fixed in dollar terms, it would shrink in value over time as general prices in the economy grow. Some payments are linked to inflation — like the jobless allowance — while other things like the pension are linked to a more generous measure of average wages. Wages tend to grow faster than inflation over time, so one way to save money is to index payments to inflation, not wages.

MEANS-TESTING

Context: "I think the way they have introduced a means test on family benefits is super unfair."

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. It might sound like Marxism to you, but it's basically how our progressive tax and payments system works. Rich people are not supposed to need government support, so most government payments come with a "means test" — basically to determine whether a person has the means to provide for themselves. It's usually a certain income level at which payments are either cut off completely or begin to be reduced. The government can save money but having a lower income text or increasing the rate at which benefits are withdrawn as incomes rise. You can expect a bit of both in this budget.

So there you have it. Now you can tune in to Joe Hockey's budget speech at 7:30pm tonight and listen like a pro

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Deck puts guests over the edge

Sky high ... the new 304 metre high viewing platform offers spectacular views of Chicago. Picture: AP Source: AP

THIS attraction isn't for the faint-hearted.

Brave tourists are flocking to a new vertigo-inducing observation deck which stands more than 300 metres above Chicago, offering a bird's eye view of the Windy City.

TILT, housed in 360 CHICAGO on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Tower, is an enclosed glass platform which tilts visitors forward for a downward panorama of The Magnificent Mile.

The ride-like viewing booth holds up to eight people at a 30-degree angle to the ground.

Riders brace themselves with steel handles on either side of the glass panel and, at full tilt, riders can lie flat against the glass.

"We had a vision for elevating the experience, and providing memories for guests that will last a lifetime," Patrick Abisseror, CEO of Montparnasse 56 Group, which owns 360 CHICAGO, said.

"TILT is yet another example of the innovative and forward-thinking vision of Montparnasse 56 Group."

Read more at DNAinfo Chicago.

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‘No one is safe’ from cyber crime

People need to be wary about how much of their personal information is shared online. Source: News Corp Australia

SO you think you're safe online and take all the necessary steps to protect your information? Think again — your details may not be as private as you think.

More Australians than ever are falling victim to identity crime and the victims aren't signing up to dodgy scams and being careless either.

They're using internet banking, shopping online and sending email, actions that millions of Australians do each day without a second thought.

A startling new survey by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) shows 1 in 5 Australians have had their personal information misused and 10 per cent have experienced in the past year.

That's higher than similar research in the United Kingdom and the United States.

The amounts lost ranged from a few dollars to a staggering $310,000. The first indication anything was wrong usually was when they received their bank account statement.

More Australians are falling victim to identity theft. Source: News Corp Australia

Dr Clare Sullivan, an identity crime expert and law lecturer at the University of South Australia, said the survey showed that no system was "impenetrable", even banking systems.

"I can tell you I don't use online banking. I don't think it's secure,'' Dr Sullivan told news.com.au.

She expected there would be more public attention on that issue if banks didn't bail out people who lost money through fraud that wasn't directly their fault.

Internet banking was cost effective for the banks and popular with consumers — because it was convenient — but Dr Sullivan said no system "anywhere in the world" was fail safe.

"I don't think they can be, [the security] is not sufficient."

Online shopping was another area that has become part of everyone's daily life. But it is as vulnerable, if not more so, as having your wallet snatched from trolley at your local store.

The problem is the level of detail many people provide, much of it unnecessary.

"One of the things in this survey is [the victims] are saying they are less trusting and more careful. That's the lesson learned.''

When buying something online, it was important to ask why all the information you were being prompted for was necessary, she said.

Fraud from using an ATM or Eftpos transaction also featured and has been a popular way for international gangs to rip unsuspecting people off.

It was one of a number of areas that people could be lulled into a false sense of security even when there are disclaimers, the assurances of top security and promises your information won't be on sold.

The people who had fallen victim to identity crime in Australia believed their info was accessed by computer hacking, online banking, email and online shopping. Source: News Corp Australia

And then there was social media.

"People put everything out there on social media. All you need [to steal someone's identity] is their full name, their date of birth, sometimes their place of birth and an account number.

"With that information all over the internet then its is very easy to piece together."

The report also revealed which Australians could be at most risk. Affluent, English speaking people outside of capital cities were significantly more likely to be a victim of cyber-crime than anyone else.

She believed that was an indication they were more reliant on online shoppers than perhaps city based.

"You're a lot more vulnerable if you can't just walk down the road."

Dr Sullivan said people got upset about the loss of money, but that usually temporary, and was actually the least of their worries.

"It's the loss of identity. Once that has been compromised it's compromised forever. People don't realise how important that is and it could come up in six months or a year's time or five years' time.''

Australians living away from capital cities appear to being targeted by scammers as they are more reliant on the internet for online shopping and communication Source: News Corp Australia

For her there was "no question" the problem would get worse as more of our daily lives were spent online.

AIC principal criminologist Dr Russell Smith told news.com.au it was significant the number of Australians reporting misuse was higher than similar international surveys.

"It needs exploring ... But it could well mean the percentage of people suffering identity crime is higher in Australia."

Something the research did show was the growing concern of Australians who worried their personal information being misused.

The survey was commissioned by the Federal Government to determine the extent of identity crime in Australia.

Dr Smith noted "ordinary transactions" were being used by cyber criminals but said more traditional ways of deceiving were still in use.

"Identity crime has been around for a long time. There are the tried and true methods of stealing information, like from a tombstone or taking letters out of mailboxes. So the old ways still exist."

Experts warn internet crime is here to stay as more of our daily lives are spent online. Source: News Corp Australia

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Secure your mailbox with a lock and make sure mail is cleared regularly

• Shred or destroy your personal and financial papers before you throw them away, or keep them in a secure place if you wish to retain them

• Always cover the keypad at ATMs or on EFTPOS terminals when entering your PIN, and be aware of your surroundings — is anyone trying to observe or watch you, are there any strange or loose fixtures attached to the machine or terminal?

• Ensure that the virus and security software on your computers and mobile devices is up-to-date and current

• Don't use public computers (for instance, at an internet cafe), or unsecured wireless 'hot spots', to do your internet banking or payments

• Be cautious of who you provide your personal and financial information to — ensure that there is a legitimate reason to supply your details. Don't be reluctant to ask who will have access to your information and which third parties it may be supplied or sold to. Ask to see a copy of the Privacy Policy of the business before you supply your details

• Only use trusted online payment websites for items won at online auctions or purchased online. Never make payments outside of trusted systems — particularly for goods which you have not yet received

• If responding to an online employment or rental advertisement, be wary of transmitting personal information and copies of documents via email or electronically

• Take extreme care if placing personal details such as date of birth, address, phone contacts or educational details on your profile, and do not accept unsolicited 'friend' requests

Source: Australian Federal Police

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