Police excavate driveway in Novy search

INVESTIGATORS are excavating a southern Queensland driveway looking for a vehicle believed to be linked to the disappearance of Gold Coast woman Novy Chardon.

Police, including homicide squad officers, will search other areas of the Mt Nathan property over the coming days, looking for evidence relating to the disappearance of the Indonesian-born 34-year-old.

"We're digging up a driveway, and it is connected to the case of Novy Chardon," police told AAP.

"There's meant to be a vehicle that's underground that they're digging up."

Police wouldn't say whose property it was or what the significance of the vehicle was.

But they did say it wasn't the home of her husband John.

Ms Chandon has not been seen since February last year.

A week after she went missing, officers and SES volunteers scoured a quiet semi-rural road that runs behind Dreamworld, not far from the Chardon home at Upper Coomera.

They believe Mrs Chardon's Volvo SUV may have been driven along the road some time between her disappearance and the evening of February 11 when it was found near Nerang railway station, more than 20 kilometres away.

In January it was announced that John Chardon, 66, will stand trial on eight charges of sexual crimes against children, alleged to have occurred between 1998 and 1999.

They include three counts of rape, four counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16 in care.

The charges aren't linked to his wife's disappearance, which Chardon said he doesn't know anything about.

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PM welcomes foresters to Canberra

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has opened parliament's doors to the "frowned upon" forestry industry, saluting them as the nation's "ultimate conservationists".

Mr Abbott announced on Tuesday the government would establish a forestry industry advisory council to be co-chaired by Rob de Fegely, the president of the Institute of Foresters of Australia.

The council was necessary because too little is known about the industry, Mr Abbott told a forestry industry dinner in parliament house in Canberra.

The prime minister was "pleased" foresters were able to attend parliament after many years without feeling like they were in "hostile territory".

"For three years you were officially frowned upon in Canberra because we had a government that was over-influenced by the Greens," Mr Abbott told the 600-strong gathering, which was also attended by Labor ministers.

"I look around and I don't see people who are environmental vandals, I see people who are the ultimate conservationists.

"I want to salute you as people who love the natural world."

Mr Abbott defended the Coalition's decision to remove world heritage listing for 74,000 hectare area of Tasmanian forest earlier this year.

"We have quite enough national parks, quite enough locked-up forests," he said.

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WA government fights hard for shark cull

THE West Australian government has warned it intends to keep the state's controversial shark drumlines in place, even if it loses a legal challenge to the shark catch-and-kill policy.

At a late-night application for an immediate injunction to stop the so-called "shark cull" in WA waters, marine activists Sea Shepherd argued the hastily-implemented policy was illegal and should be immediately halted.

But lawyers for the government argued that even if was proved they had not followed proper procedure to get the policy started, they would simply sign the right papers within hours to keep the dozens of drumlines off Perth and the south west in place.

"This is an important public safety program, and the state does not intend these proceedings to interfere with that," deputy state solicitor Rob Mitchell told WA's Supreme Court.

Judge James Edelman said he intends to make his decision on the injunction with 24 hours.

Lawyers for Sea Shepherd argued the exemptions to state laws, which allowed the protected great white, tiger and bull sharks to be killed, were not published properly.

To illustrate the fierce opposition to the WA policy, Sea Shepherd recruited Sharon Burden, the mother of Kyle, who was mauled to death by a great white shark while bodyboarding off Bunker Bay in 2011.

Ms Burden was in the WA Supreme Court to hear the legal argument for an injunction, which Sea Shepherd believes will force the 60 drumlines to be removed.

Judge Edelman was told there was "genuine urgency" to decide the legality of the shark-kill policy, with Sea Shepherd Barrister Richard Hooker saying the WA government was trying to write it's own rules - and had not played by them.

"The WA government is trying to carve out ... a significant island of immunity," Mr Hooker said.

"If the government takes totally protected fish, like everyone else, it's acting unlawfully."

The WA government has faced vitriolic opposition to the policy since it was announced late last year, with rallies on Perth and south-west beaches, and close scrutiny of the drum line activity.

Dozens of tiger sharks - but no great whites - have been caught by the hooks, with daily photos of captured sharks posted on social media.

Premier Colin Barnett said he was confident the policy would stand up to the legal challenge, which he claimed the government had anticipated.

"The West Australian government is absolutely confident that the policy in place is the right policy and we intend to continue it," Mr Barnett told reporters.

"And that's why we took great care, both in terms of processes at a state level and at a commonwealth level, and we are confident that that is done in the right way."

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Militants storm local council HQ in Iraq

MILITANTS have stormed a government building in a city north of Baghdad, killing at least six people, officials say.

Police officers say two suicide bombers first blew themselves up on Tuesday at the entrance to the local council in Samara, paving the way for five other attackers to storm inside after detonating a parked car bomb.

The officers say security forces quickly arrived at the scene, besieged the building and after a two-hour gun battle, killed all the attackers and freed an unspecified number of people trapped inside.

Among those killed in the attack were three policemen and at least three civilians.

The officials say 34 people were wounded.

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QLD woman charged with attempted murder

A man is in a serious condition after being shot in the stomach the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane. Source: AAP

A WOMAN has been charged with attempted murder after a man was found with a gunshot wound in a Lockyer Valley home.

The 26-year-old man was bleeding profusely when he was located by emergency services at a Laidley Heights home on Monday morning, police said.

He was taken to a Brisbane hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police on Monday night charged a 33-year-old woman, who was earlier speaking to officers, with attempted murder.

She is due before the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police wouldn't provide further details.

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Pistorius witness 'heard screams'

A WITNESS in the Oscar Pistorius trial has described hearing "bloodcurdling screams" on the night the Paralympian shot his girlfriend dead.

Michell Burger, who lived on the neighbouring estate to the Silverwoods Estate in Pretoria where Pistorius lived, described hearing a woman screaming followed by four gunshots on the night of model Reeva Steenkamp's death.

Her evidence came on the first day of Pistorius's highly-anticipated trial at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria today, where the six-times sprint champion formally pleaded not guilty to four charges including the murder of Steenkamp.

Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old shot model and reality TV star Steenkamp, 29, through the bathroom door of his home.

Burger, a neighbour of Pistorius who lives in the Silver Stream Estate, described waking up at around 3am to a woman's "terrible screams".

Speaking through an interpreter, she said: "We woke up from the screams. My husband jumped up and went to the balcony."

Ms Burger told the court it had been traumatic to hear the "bloodcurdling screams", adding: "It leaves you cold."

She said she also heard a man screaming for help, adding: "Three times he yelled for help."

Burger said she and her husband called security at their estate to report the screams and what they thought was a break-in.

She added: "I heard her screams again, it was worse, it was more intense. Just after her screams, I heard four shots, it was four gunshots that I heard."

Asked to describe the successive shots, she said there was a pause between the first and second which was longer between the second and third shots and the third and fourth.

She said: "I told my husband that I do not hope that that woman saw her husband being shot in front of her because after he screamed for help we didn't hear him again."

The start of the trial - which is being watched by the world - was delayed by an hour and a half today as the court waited for Afrikaans interpreters.

The double amputee is charged with the murder of Ms Steenkamp, whom he shot dead at his home on Valentine's Day last year.

Asked how he pleaded, he said: "Not guilty, my lady."

The Paralympic star, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and dark tie, entered not guilty pleas to four charges.

Pistorius, dubbed the "Blade Runner" for his prosthetic legs, admits shooting Miss Steenkamp dead at his home but claims he thought she was an intruder.

In court today, Pistorius, who was supported by family members including siblings Carl and Aimee and his uncle Arnold, came face to face with Steenkamp's mother June, who is attending the trial.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court: "They were the only two people in the house. There were no eyewitnesses.

"The state's case is based on circumstantial evidence."

He said evidence included what neighbours heard, and prosecutors would argue that "a certain inference" could be drawn from the scene.

"We argue that the accused's version in the bail application and today could not reasonably possibly be true, should be rejected," he said, adding: "The only inference from the circumstantial evidence would be that the accused shot and killed the deceased."

The court was read a statement from Pistorius in which he claimed he mistakenly thought there was an intruder in his home, leading him to open fire in an attempt to protect himself and Steenkamp.

The statement, read by Pistorius's defence lawyer while the athlete remained standing, said the scene had been contaminated and disturbed.

In it, the Paralympian said he did not intend to kill his then-girlfriend that night and they had not argued that night.

He said: "I deny this allegation in the strongest terms because there was no argument. The allegation that I wanted to shoot (or kill) Reeva cannot be further from the truth."

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Govt to repeal Qantas Sale Act

Qantas would face national interest tests even if its ownership laws were repealed says Tony Abbott. Source: AAP

THE federal government has opened the door for Qantas to have more foreign investment but the airline may have to restructure and jobs could go offshore.

Qantas has asked the government to change the Qantas Sale Act to allow more foreign investment arguing the strings attached hampered its ability to compete on a level playing field with its rivals.

Federal cabinet on Monday rejected a debt guarantee sought by Qantas but agreed to repeal part of the Act that stops foreign airlines from holding more than a 35 per cent of Qantas or a greater than 25 per cent stake for any single foreign shareholder.

Mr Abbott said that under the proposed changes, Qantas foreign ownership would be limited still by the Foreign Investment Review Board and the Air Navigation Act.

"They do have to have 51 per cent Australian ownership, they do have to have their headquarters and the substance of their business based in Australia," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott did not say how Qantas could capitalise on the change saying that was up to the airline, which could restructure itself.

He said that under what they are proposing, Qantas' international arm would "remain in every sense" an Australian airline.

"Qantas domestic, should there be a distinction, would remain a substantially Australian airline," Mr Abbott said.

The move means other government owned airlines will be able to take a majority stake in the domestic arm of Qantas for the first time even while foreign ownership of the international arm would have to remain capped at 49 per cent.

Some aviation analysts argue the best option for Qantas would be to split the company into three separate companies: domestic, international and ancillary services such as the Frequent Flyer program and freight.

Mr Abbott said the changes will provide business flexibility for Qantas consistent with other airlines based in Australia.

He conceded that some jobs may go offshore in any restructure.

"If some jobs have to go offshore in order to ensure that Qantas has a strong and viable long-term future, it may be regrettable but nevertheless it is the best way to guarantee Australian jobs for the long term," Mr Abbott said.

The coalition will take legislation to parliament as early as this week and hopes Labor will not prevent the bills from passing the upper house where the government does not have the numbers alone to pass laws.

"I don't believe that even the Labor party as currently constituted is going to stand aside and let Qantas bleed," Mr Abbott said.

But both Labor and the Australian Greens plan to oppose the repeal which means it is unlikely to pass in the Senate.

Labor believes the change will lead to a restructure that would see thousands of jobs going overseas.

Opposition transport spokesman Anthony Albanese said all previous indications from Treasurer Joe Hockey had suggested the coalition was more likely to offer Qantas a debt guarantee than repeal the Act.

"No one who had read the tea leaves ... in the past few months could have predicted that they would attempt to get rid of the entire section of the act," he said.

"Every single principle which makes the flying kangaroo an Australian is gone under this proposal."

The Australian Greens said they don't want to lose a national carrier and see jobs go offshore.

"Tony Abbott is out to kill Qantas as our national carrier," Deputy Leader Adam Bandt said.

Qantas acknowledged the coalition move "would have limited chance of passing through the Senate".

"If this proposal by the government to change the Qantas Sale Act is not passed, we would expect the government and the parliament to consider alternative measures to balance the unlevel playing field in Australian aviation."

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Hundreds protest outside Russian embassy

Members of Sydney's Ukrainian community are protesting outside a Russian embassy tonight. Source: AAP

ABOUT 200 members of Sydney's Ukrainian community have staged a loud protests outside a Russian embassy, calling on Russia's president to "keep his hands" off the troubled European country.

Ukranian, Georgian and European Union flags were waived as the eclectic crowd yelled at the Russian embassy for President Vladimir Putin to "get out" and "keep his hands off Ukraine" on Monday evening.

Banners depicting the ex-KGB hard man with Adolf Hitler's hair and moustache were shaken angrily at the Woolhara unit housing the Russian embassy, after prayers and songs of national pride.

Protester Yuri Mencinsky, who was involved at demonstrations outside the same embassy 40 years ago, told reporters the crowd was shouting "kacapy" - a derogatory Ukranian term for Russians.

Peter Shmigel, the public affairs director for the Australia Federation of Ukrainian Organisations said the international community needed to act, not just talk.

"Action like removal of Russia from the G8 so that it feels the economic consequences of breaking international law," he told reporters at the protest.

"Why should Russian be at the international table if it's operating in an outlaw manner?"

He added that Ukraine was a untied country and that there was no divide between Russian and Ukrainian speaking-citizens.

"That's a mythology," he said.

"Ukraine has been independent for 20 years. During that time there have been virtually no recorded instances of internecine violence between Russian communities and Ukrainian communities."

Russia's annexation of Georgian land in 2008, he added, should serve as a strong warning.

"Mr Putin looks at the world differently than the world looks at him," he said.

"We look at him as a political leader. He looks at us through the lens of a former colonel of the KGB, someone who swore an oath to uphold the USSR."

The protesters said further actions were planned outside the Russian embassy in Canberra.

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Putin targeted at Mardi Gras parade

Activists at the 2014 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: AAP

SYDNEY'S gay and lesbian Mardi Gras has taken aim at Russia for its anti-homosexual propaganda laws, with a parade aimed at showing the regime's discriminatory polices won't float with an Australian audience.

Amid the bright lights, dancing surf life savers, bikies and angels at the 37th annual parade stood a ten-foot, bobble-headed Vladimir Putin float.

"I am very much so proud to be part of this float," said Tim, who didn't give a last name, on whose shoulders rested the Russian president's massive head.

"I think it'd be a great opportunity to protest anti-gay laws, so I wanted to be part of it myself."

While the float - titled From Russia with Love - condemned Russia's views, it was also used to send love to the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

Sydney's Hyde Park was teeming on Saturday night with hundreds of thousands of revellers dressed in a rainbow of colours - everything from gay pride cowboy dancers to bright blue cast members from the movie Avatar.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said before the parade that the event, which is known for its fun, was still capable of stirring up political debate.

"There's room for very serious political comment in Mardi Gras," she said.

"Everyone is quite alarmed about what's happening in Russia, what's happening in Nigeria and Pakistan.

"This is a global event, the biggest of its kind in the world and it's good to make those statements."

Actress and comedian Magda Szubanski says while Australia is more tolerant towards homosexuality, it is not smooth sailing.

"One recent study shows the incidents of attempted suicide among LGBTI youth is six times higher than in the straight community," she said.

"As much as it's important that we protest Sochi and what's going on in Russia, we have to be mindful that things aren't too great here.

"Speaking as a gay observer, things have a life of their own and at the moment there does seem to be a political focus."

This year's parade - the second largest event in Sydney after New Year's Eve - is bigger than in 2013, with a record 144 floats making the journey down Oxford and Flinders streets amid an estimated 10,000 marchers.

The footpaths of Oxford St were packed with an estimated 300,000 people pressing against barriers along a two kilometre stretch to see the parade.

The popular favourites Dykes on Bikes kicked off early celebrations with a roaring ride up and down Oxford at 7pm, warming the crowds up for the main event.

Among the parade's eccentric features was a nine-metre Strictly Mardi Gras trailer complete with a 98-member cast.

One of the forces behind the float, Strictly Ballroom director Baz Luhrmann, also attended the parade, along with performers Delta Goodrem and Tina Arena.

Federal MP Penny Wong also marched in the parade.

Extra police - those not on duty on the NSW police float - were deployed across the CBD to monitor the influx of visitors.

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Morsi's son arrested for drug possession

EGYPTIAN police have arrested a son of deposed Islamist president Mohammed Morsi on drug possession charges, the official Middle East News Agency reports.

Abdullah, the youngest son of Morsi, was detained with a friend in the town of Benha, north of Cairo. The report said five grams of hashish was found in their car, which was meant for for personal use.

The report did not say when the arrests were made.

Abdullah is the first member of Morsi's family to be detained since July when the military toppled the Islamist leader following massive street protests against his one-year rule.

A Cairo court on Saturday resumed the trial of Morsi for allegedly inciting the killing of anti-Islamist protesters while in office in 2012.

Morsi, a senior leader in the Muslim Brotherhood, is also facing three other trials on separate charges of conspiring with foreign groups, a 2011 escape from prison and defaming judges.

He has dismissed the charges as politically motivated.

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