You're nicked... and whacked!

An officer who struck two suspects with a baton during a city arrest now faces an official investigation

A frame from the news crew's footage. Picture: Seven News Adelaide Source: Supplied

AN officer who struck two suspects with a baton during a city arrest now faces an official investigation.

South Australia's Police Complaints Authority will look at the actions of the officer and his partner after Seven News recorded the incident and aired the footage.

The men were sitting on the ground in Whitmore Square in central Adelaide when one officer struck them during their arrests at Whitmore Square about 2.30pm.

Witnesses said both men were pepper-sprayed before an officer struck one man twice with his baton and hit the other man three times.

A police spokesman said the officers were questioning the two men about alleged drug dealing.

Police have confirmed the Police Complaints Authority will investigate.

The arrested men have been charged with hindering and resisting police and one was also charged with assaulting a police officer and possessing drug paraphernalia

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Dame Elisabeth: A great life

Dame Elisabeth was cherished by the community. Source: Herald Sun

DAME Elisabeth Murdoch has died, aged 103.

She passed away peacefully at her home Cruden Farm in Langwarrin.

The renowned community leader, charity worker, philanthropist and matriach of Australia's greatest media family will be mourned by countless thousands of Australians whose lives she has touched.

She was the wife of Sir Keith Murdoch and mother of four children, including Rupert Murdoch.

Dame Elisabeth leaves behind three surviving children - Rupert, Anne Kantor and Janet Calvert-Jones. 

Her eldest daughter, Helen Handbury, died in 2004.

She is also survived by 77 living direct descendants, including five great-great grandchildren as well as other members of her large extended family.

Dame Elisabeth devoted her life to helping others.

She said it was the most important thing in life and the most rewarding.

"Be optimistic - and always think of other people before yourself," she said in an interview to mark her 100th birthday.

Born on February 8, 1909, in Melbourne, she went to school at St Catherine's in Toorak before being sent to board at Clyde at Mt Macedon.

As Elisabeth Greene, aged 18, she featured as a debutante in Table Talk magazine, which was published by the Herald and Weekly Times Limited.

The photograph caught the eye of Keith Murdoch, influential editor and newspaperman and, at 42, one of Melbourne's most eligible bachelors.

After a fairytale romance they married on June 6, 1928, and they would have 24 years together before his death.

As a wedding present, Keith Murdoch gave his bride Cruden Farm, set on 54ha at Langwarrin.

Over the years the property became both the family home and an internationally famous garden which Dame Elisabeth opened to the public to raise millions of dollars for charity.

Tribute book: Share your memories and leave your condolences HERE

Dame Elisabeth constantly supported her husband and he became chairman of the Herald and Weekly Times Limited in 1942.

Her interest in the arts grew alongside his as he became president of the board of trustees which ran the National Gallery of Victoria, the State Library and the Museum until he put them into separate administrations.

Dame Elisabeth was the first woman trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria; chair of the committee which established the Victorian Tapestry Workshop; trustee and prime mover behind the establishment of the regional McLelland Gallery and a benefactor of organisations ranging from the Australian Ballet and Opera Australia to the Bell Theatre Company.

Dame Elisabeth: An extraordinary life devoted to others

She was known to have helped at least 100 organisations directly.

But she also helped thousands of individuals, either with advice or by using her considerable influence and contacts.

Her greatest monuments are the Royal Children's Hospital and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

Lady Elisabeth, as she was then, threw herself into the work of the Royal Children's Hospital after the sudden death of Sir Keith in 1952.

Widowed at 43 and left to raise four children, she commuted to Melbourne almost daily from Cruden Farm to head the planning committee to relocate and build a new children's hospital at Parkville.

She was created a Dame the day the Queen opened the hospital.

A multimedia tribute to Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

Altogether, Dame Elisabeth would serve the hospital for 33 years, retiring as President. She was known ever since as the children's friend.

Her interest in the hospital never waned and she turned up at every Good Friday Appeal to greet volunteers and thank them for their efforts.

Peter Blunden, Victorian managing director - editorial, said Dame Elisabeth was "part of the family" and that everyone at the Herald and Weekly Times was feeling "a deep sense of personal loss".

"Dame Elisabeth involved herself in all our lives and with our newspapers," he said.

"She was part of the fabric of Melbourne and Victoria and did so much good in the community."

Pictures: Community leader, charity worker

News Limited chief executive Kim Williams said all who work at News Limited in Australia mourned the loss of "an extraordinary national figure who inspired generations of Australians through her selfless devotion to helping others and by her leadership and her remarkable generosity in fostering both scientific research and the arts.

"We feel the loss intensely because she was the wife of Sir Keith Murdoch and mother of our chairman Rupert Murdoch, both towering figures in our national story and the builders of our own media heritage here at News."

HWT board chairman Julian Clarke said Dame Elisabeth's warmth and hospitality would not be forgotten.

"History will long remember Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's extraordinary contribution and generosity to this state and the wider Australian community.

"Undoubtedly, Dame Elisabeth has been one of the great Australians whose intellect and keen interest in others, particularly their welfare, has endeared her to so many throughout her long and remarkable life.

"Dame Elisabeth has been an ever-present influence in our company and will be sadly missed by the many employees who knew her personally.

"We send our sincere condolences to her loving family."

Tribute book: Share your memories and leave your condolences HERE

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Sub-par students let into teaching

Education experts fear letting sub-standard students into teaching courses could lower standards. Picture: Thinkstock Source: news.com.au

HUNDREDS of Year 12 graduates who scored less than 50 in their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) are being offered university places in critical areas of nursing and teaching.

The Undergraduate Applications, Offers and Acceptances 2012 report found Year 12 applicants in the "50.00 or less" ATAR band have recorded the largest increase in the rate of university offers.

Twenty-four per cent of under-50 ATAR applicants were likely to be offered a place this year compared to 12 per cent in 2009.

Education and nursing were two of the largest contributors to that increase, with 532 education students and 373 nursing students not making past 50 at school but still being offered places the following year.

Education experts fear the increase could lower teacher standards and affect the future career prospects of our children.

Education Standards Institute director Dr Kevin Donnelly said standards have dropped since the Federal Government committed to increasing the number of student enrolling in university from disadvantaged backgrounds.

''It is very dangerous to have people doing an education degree going into the school and not being academically able. A lot of these graduates by their own admission don't a very high ability in maths or English.

The number of below-50 students offered places in all uni courses has doubled from 3560 to 7120 over the last four years.

''It is wrong to suggest that everybody should go to university as not everybody has the ability, interest or motivation,'' Dr Donnelly said.

''It lowers the prestige of the profession and so teaching is not going to be seen as a worthwhile career because the perception will be it's only for those kids who can't do anything else.''

Australian Parent's Council director executive director Ian Dalton called for an investigation into the trend.

''It's certainly showing a trend that warrants a solid piece of investigation,'' he said.

''We need to find some evidence whether there is a casual link between low teacher scores and poor teacher performance.''

A spokeswoman for Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said ATARs should not be seen as an indicator of the quality of the higher education system.

''The minister rejects the notion that opening the doors to more students, including those from regional areas and disadvantaged backgrounds, lowers the quality of the system,'' she said.

''Australian universities enrol students they believe are capable of achieving success and meeting the high academic standards required.''

The report also found health (10.2 per cent), engineering (7.6 per cent) and natural and physical sciences (6.5 per cent) saw the largest increase in offers to students in 2012.

Stanwell Park resident Emma Leney just finished her first year of Bachelor of Engineering at Wollongong University after graduating from St John Bosco College in Engadine with an ATAR of 93.45.

''I was attracted to engineering because I did extension maths and sciences at school and engineering involves a lot of those things,'' she said.

''The lecturers at the start of the year told us we were one of the biggest classes and that did surprise me.''

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State backs down on royal baby

Police officers move away a man wearing a Prince WIlliam mask as they stand guard outside the King Edward VII hospital in central London. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE Source: AFP

WA officials had raised issues of state sovereignty in how the constitution would be changed to allow a first-born daughter of Prince William and Kate to become queen. Source: AP

The internet has gone into a frenzy over the unborn child of Prince William and his wife Catherine.

AN Australian state has suddenly changed it's mind over a constitutional change to make a firstborn daughter of Prince William and Kate a future queen.

Western Australia's decision to drop a technical objection to the proposed way the constitution will be changed coincided with questioning from News Ltd.

The state will now fall in with others at a Council of Australian Government Meeting in Canberra tomorrow after WA officials raised issues of state sovereignty in how the constitution is to be changed.

The Queen crank call... we are very, very amused

WA Premier Colin Barnett supports a firstborn daughter for the royal couple becoming queen, ending three centuries of princesses being passed over for their younger brothers in the line to the throne.

Yesterday afternoon a spokesman for Prime Minister Julia Gillard said of the sovereignty issue: "We are confident it can be worked through by Friday."

After WA last night clarified its position with the Prime Minister's office, the government said it was confident all states would fall into line.

"All parties will be taking the same position to the COAG meeting on Friday,'' the spokesman said.

Draft laws will be put to state premiers and after agreement legislation is expected to be put before parliament early in the new year.

All 16 Commonwealth realms have agreed to amend their succession laws to make a first-born daughter Queen.

News Ltd was told by senior sources in the federal and a state government of WA's technical objection.

The phone call from WA to Ms Gillard's office came after two spokeswomen for Mr Barnett denied the the state had a problem with the proposal to change succession rules or the mechanism to reach that outcome.

"We support the royal succession proposal and WA will give effect to the proposal,'' a spokeswoman for Mr Barnett said.

"From the WA perspective we have no problem with the proposal and we will not be objecting to the Commonwealth's proposal.''

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Smartphone users hit with bill shock

One in 10 smartphone users feel locked into a mobile phone plan they can't afford.
  Source: Supplied

SMARTPHONE users are worried Big Brother is watching them and tracing their every move through their device.

New research by consumer ratings agency Canstar Blue found 29 per cent of smartphone owners were concerned their whereabouts could be tracked through their phone.

The data also showed nearly one in five smartphone users (19 per cent) were shocked by the size of their phone bill with Generation Y the most likely to have experienced bill shock (27 per cent).

Canstar Blue spokeswoman Amy Partington said Australians were also untruthful when signing smartphone contracts.

"We found one in 20 people were actually lying during the application process of their phone,'' she said.

The data showed nearly one in five smartphone users were shocked by the size of their phone bill.

"When there were increased numbers of people lying during this process there were an increased number of people shocked about the size of their bill. 

"If they are lying through the application process they should consider if they can really afford the phone or are they creating more problems for themselves down the track.''

The research also found one in 10 smartphone users felt locked into a mobile phone plan they couldn't afford.

Ms Partington encouraged consumers to thoroughly read through phone contacts before signing on the dotted line.

When it comes to social etiquette, 32 per cent of respondents admitted they used their smartphone during meals with friends or loved ones.

Three in five respondents (60 per cent) believed it was inappropriate for children under 16 to have a smartphone.

Australian Communications Consumer Action Network spokeswoman Elise Davidson said there was no doubt Australians were addicted to their phones.

"You can see it everywhere you go, people are using smartphones walking down the street and on public transport,'' she said.

"Australians are very enthusiastic about new technologies and have one of the highest uptake of smartphones in the world with about 52 per cent of people with a smartphone.''

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Food you need to be over 21 to eat

"Delicious dinner rolls" contain 50mg of THC each. Picture: wwwbakked.com Source: Supplied

AS if parents didn't have enough to worry about, alcoholic ice cream and cannabis-infused edibles have hit the market.

A New York company has started producing wine ice cream.

It's different from the benign wine-flavoured ice cream sold at Australian boutique stores or the stuff you can whip up at home using online recipes.

A few cones of Mercer's Wine Ice Cream - let alone a tub - will put you over the limit.

It contains five percent alcohol and is not supposed to be sold to anyone under the age of 21 (the legal drinking age in the US).

Available flavours include Cherry Merlot, Chocolate Cabernet, Peach White Zinfandel, Port Red, Raspberry Chardonnay and Riesling.

As one blogger snidely remarked, now you can get "fat and drunk" at the same time.

Mercer's wine ice cream in NY is 5% proof and you must be 21 to buy it. Pitcure: Supplied Source: Supplied

You can also get stoned and fat at the same time thanks to the legalisation of marijuana in two US states, Colorado and Washington, last month.

"Spicy peanut brittle" contains 133mg THC. Picture: wwwbakked.com Source: Supplied

Dozens of marijuana-infused products have gone on sale at wholesale dispensaries and we're not just talking pot brownies.

Fizzy drinks, peanut butter, truffles, sauces, shampoo, breath sprays, ointments - almost anything can be infused with the drug - and food entrepreneurs are getting seriously creative with their product lines.

"Crispy rice treat" contains 85mg THC. Picture: wwwbakked.com Source: Supplied

Leading the charge are Simply Pure and Bakked - both based in Colorado. The former claims to produce healthy, vegan, gluten-free "medicated edibles" such as coconut butter, marinara sauce and chilli salsas while the latter sells candies and breads that can only be described as munchies.

Colorado-based food company Simply Pure produces marijuana-infused, vegan, gluten-free products. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Both companies provide consumers with the drug-strength of each product , usually by giving the amount of THC
(Tetrahydrocannabinol - the psychoactive compound found in marijuana) contained within.

Would you eat a marijuana-infused breakfast roll or knock back a cannabis milkshake if the drug was legalised in Australia? Leave us a comment.

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Second body, arrest in Outback murder case

Forensic officers investigate the scene where the body of Jessie Lee Fullerton was found next to her Toyota Hilux. Picture: Mark Brake Source: adelaidenow

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested and charged by South Australian police with murdering two young women.

The Quorn man will face court today the deaths of Quorn woman Jasinta-Leigh Fullerton, 22, and a 16-year-old Port Pirie girl, who was reported missing by her parents on Tuesday.

The dramatic developments tonight followed the discovery of Ms Fullerton's body.

Ms Fullerton's body was found on a dead-end dirt road, next to her Toyota HiLux, less than 100m from her grandparents' Quorn home, where she was living.

Jessie-Leigh Fullerton. Picture: Facebook

Detectives will resume their investigation and crime scene examination, which will include the excavation of a grave site, early this morning.

They have not revealed the location of the grave, not any other details surrounding the teenager's disappearance. 

Major Crime chief, Superintendent Grant Moyle, said last night he was confident the person responsible for the slayings was now in police custody.

SES search crews arrive to help forensic officers investigate the scene. Picture: Mark Brake

The man is expected to appear in Port Augusta Magistrates Court today.

Ms Fullerton was a popular Outback figure who overcame adversity by helping others and spreading joy in her country community.

Grieving friends and family of the murdered 22-year-old, known as Jessie, last night had no explanation for the killing of the young camel jockey and childcare worker.

The Transcontinental Hotel, where Jessie Lee Fullerton was last seen.Picture: Mark Brake

Ms Fullerton's father, Alice Springs Camel Cup founder Noel Fullerton, known as central Australia's "camel king", told The Advertiser his daughter, who had dwarfism, had endured operations and been in a wheelchair for much of her life.

"The poor little bugger went through so much and never once complained," he said. "She was liked by everyone. She was just starting to get things together.

"I've got no idea why this has happened."

Ms Fullerton's murder has sent shockwaves through the Flinders Ranges town.

Police have declared the death a major crime, but have given few details of how she was murdered.

It is known Ms Fullerton had been at the Criterion hotel hours before her body was discovered next to her white ute on Groves Rd, about 3.45am.

Young people from surrounding areas flocked to the town late yesterday to pay tribute to Ms Fullerton,.

She posted an update on her Facebook page late on Tuesday night, about six hours before an ambulance was dispatched to the murder scene. Earlier in the day, Supt Moyle said Ms Fullerton was last seen about 10.30pm on Tuesday. He would not confirm if there were any visible signs of injury.

 "She was on her way home, (which is) not far from where she was found," he said.

"This is very devastating for the local community.

"We understand that and there will be a concerted police presence in this area during this investigation, so we can assure the public of their safety."

Ms Fullerton's last Facebook post shows a picture of her and her new camel, Strike - one of two she bought and collected from Alice Springs last week.

Ms Fullerton immersed herself in the rough and tumble camel racing culture - breeding, training and riding camels to follow in her father's footsteps.

She called her cameleer father her "idol" and was excited about the addition of camels Strike and Big Al to her stable, commenting on Facebook that she had to return to work to raise the funds to feed her animals.

Ms Fullerton graduated from Quorn Area School in 2007 and completed a TAFE Certificate III in children's services in May. She was recently offered a childcare job in nearby Port Augusta.

A friend, who asked not to be named, said Ms Fullerton had "lived a tough life" but was a lovable character.

A family member, who also asked not to be named, said her extended family throughout Outback SA had circulated news of her death.

On Sunday, Ms Fullerton posted on Facebook about how excited she was about the Quorn Pageant that day. "Santa will be at his magic cave at the town oval!! Great day to catch up with family and friends, bands and excitement to fill the night," she commented.

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Outrage over fake Jetstar Facebook page

Jetstar customers were left confused and angry when an anonymous prankster created a fake Facebook page.
Source: HWT Image Library

JETSTAR has landed in the middle of a PR disaster after an internet hoaxer hijacked its Facebook page and started snapping at customers.

Customers of the budget airline were left confused and angry when an anonymous prankster registered on Facebook under the name "Jetstar Australia'', and using the airline's official logo, began rudely responding to their queries on the company's official page. 

"This is a 'comment box', not a 'write a long story box'. Please shorten it and send it to someone who cares,'' the hoaxer replied to one woman's lengthy query.

Another who inquired about sale prices on a flight to the Gold Coast received the reply: "Don't be such a tight ass, and pay the full price. It's cheap anyway.''

"Have you ever heard of giving up? We have a lot of complaints and unfortunately can not process them all within allocated times. Please stop acting like a spoilt brat and grow up,'' the hoaxer wrote to one man who complained that a previous complaint had not been responded to quickly enough.

The fake Jetstar account even managed to convince one woman the airline had cancelled her flights.

"Are you kidding me! You'ev just cancelled my family's Gold Coast holiday! Please tell me you are joking,'' the customer responded.

Jetstar has since responded with an official message on its Facebook page announcing it is investigating the matter.

"You might have noticed that there have been some inappropriate responses to your feedback on our Facebook pages today,'' they wrote.

"Unfortunately, someone has made a fake Jetstar Facebook and they've been impersonating us. We are currently working with Facebook to get this resolved.''

However it seems not everyone was upset by the prank, with many of Jetstar's Facebook fans declaring it "hilarious''.

"Well done to the person who created this, well done,'' wrote one user, while another simply said: "LOL Legend!''

"The fake account probably deals with customer service better then you clowns,'' wrote another.

The airline is the latest in a string of Australian brands to suffer from a social media stuff-up in recent weeks.

Mexican restaurant chain Mad Mex was yesterday forced to remove a "racist'' Facebook picture depicting Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao as "Mexican Justin Bieber'' after several users reported it as offensive, while last week Jeep Australia was accused of being "sexist'' for posting a picture of a scantily clad woman to its Facebook page.

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Hot in the city - here comes summer

The heat can be uncomfortable, but Aussies know how to deal with it. Source: PerthNow

THE average forecast top for Australia's capitals is over 31C. Guess which city is the first to get a 40C baking this summer.

It will not be a pie floater day in Adelaide, where the 40C max will melt frogcakes into green puddles.

Melbourne won't be far behind, and even the Yarra might be good for a swim at 38C.

In Darwin, the crocs won't fancy a heavy lunch at a sizzling 34C.

And in Canberra, the Libs won't need to try baking the PM, who may well sweat more than a disgraced union official at 33C.

Brisbane will be perfect one day, though for the moment it will have to settle for a sticky 31C.

Sydney won't be so bad at 28C, although that's by the harbor. Rough estimate for a Western Sydney roadside... maybe 65C?

And Hobart will be mild, of course, but any hotter than the forecast 27C and Antarctica may melt.

So, what's the coolest place in Australia? Well, Perth should be positively shivering at 20C, and they've also copped a nasty storm.

For a more detailed, and more serious, rundown of weather around the nation, click here.

 And you simply must see the world's Top 10 most amazing meteorological sites. All hot... and all very, very cool.

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Witnesses quizzed over AWU scandal

Julie Bishop questions Julia Gillard in parliament over the AWU affair. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: The Australian

VICTORIAN police have begun interviewing key witnesses as part of an investigation into the Australian Workers Union scandal.

Fraud squad detectives have contacted at least two people, including retired Greek-born builder Kon Spyridis, who said he spoke with police on Monday in relation to payments he'd received from the AWU in the mid-1990s.

Police have also contacted former Slater & Gordon employee Olive Brosnahan, who in 1993 did the conveyancing on the Melbourne property at the centre of the affair.

The move by police came as Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday declined, amid multiple questions from the Opposition, to give a direct answer when asked if she had written to WA's Corporate Affairs Commission vouching for the bonafides of the association 20 years ago.

Ms Gillard provided legal advice for the incorporation of the AWU Workplace Reform Association, but has denied any knowledge of its operations.

She labelled Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop - who is under fire after admitting to meeting key witness Ralph Blewitt - an embarrassment before telling Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who has remained silent on the affair in parliament this week, that she would answer if he asked the question.

"Get up and ask it yourself, then I will answer it," she thundered at her political rival.

Liberal Senator George Brandis used parliamentary privilege to call Ms Gillard's account of her actions "implausible."

A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard said Victorian police had not approached the Prime Minister.

Victorian police are investigating whether criminal action took place during 1992 to 1995 in relation to a series of unauthorised union accounts. The Kerr St Fitzroy home, which was purchased for $230,000, was partly financed with around $67,000 from the AWU Workplace Reform Association.

The Opposition has questioned the Prime Minister's involvement in helping to purchase the property, although Ms Gillard insists she has done nothing wrong and that her role was limited to witnessing a power of attorney from Mr Blewitt, a former AWU official and self-confessed "bagman".

That document gave Ms Gillard's then boyfriend, Bruce Wilson, authority to secure a loan and purchase the property, which was later sold in 1996.

Mr Spyridis told News Limited that police had quizzed him over work he had done for the AWU in the mid-1990s. In August, the retired builder broke a 17-year silence to clear Prime Minister Julia Gillard of allegations that funds from the AWU "slush" had helped to pay for renovations on her Melbourne home.

Yesterday, Mr Spyridis denied he had ever approached former AWUVictorian State Secretary Bob Smith seeking payment for unpaid work.

"I don't remember Bob Smith," he said.

Mr Smith declined to comment on whether he had been contacted by the fraud squad.

It is understood Peter Gordon who was one of two Slater and Gordon senior staff who interviewed Ms Gillard around the time she left the firm over the AWU association affair has not been contacted by police.

Victoria police said the fraud and extortion squad "is currently assessing a file which relates to the alleged misappropriation of funds from a Union. Victoria Police does not confirm who may or may not be under investigation or providing statements."

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