NSW govt to extend home owner grant

Next week's NSW budget will extend eligibility criteria for a first home owner grant. Source: AAP

THE NSW government has freed land for 6600 new homes in Sydney's northwest and will extend the first home owner grant in this month's budget.

Land at Marsden Park North, Richmond and Blacktown has been released or rezoned for housing, Premier Mike Baird announced on Saturday.

The Marsden Park land has space for 4000 new homes and is close to where the North West Rail Link is being built, while the land at Blacktown is on an old golf course.

"In western Sydney, there is a massive housing boom occurring and the unlocking of up to 6600 new housing lots at three sites will boost housing supply and make homes more affordable," Mr Baird said in a statement.

The government claims 100,000 new homes have been built across NSW since the March 2011 election.

Treasurer Andrew Constance also announced that the June 17 state budget will extend eligibility criteria for the first home owner grant by $100,000.

It means first-time buyers who purchase new properties worth up to $750,000 will qualify for the $15,000 payment. The previous threshold was $650,000.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Girl dies as car rolls in NSW forest

A GIRL died and her four friends were injured as their car rolled over at a forest in NSW's central west.

The group of friends from Wollongong were driving through Lowes Mount State Forest near Oberon just after midnight on Saturday when their four-wheel-drive car left the trail and rolled, police said.

A 15-year-old girl was thrown from the car and died at the scene.

The 24-year-old male driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Oberon Hospital for mandatory blood tests.

A male passenger, 20, was flown to Orange Hospital with serious head and abdominal injuries.

Two other male passengers, in their 20s, suffered minor injuries.

Acting assistant commissioner Stuart Smith has urged people driving this long weekend to buckle up and slow down.

"One fatality on our roads is always one too many," he said in a statement.

"If you're travelling long distances remember to stop for regular breaks and take care of yourself, so you can remain focused and arrive safely at your destination."

Double-demerit points and extra police officers are in place until midnight on Monday for Operation Stay Alert, which targets speeding, drink-driving, fatigue, seatbelt use and driver distraction.

Six people were killed on the state's roads during the 2013 Queen's birthday long weekend, up from two the previous year.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

New report spells out phone tap powers

Government tapping of people's phones is widespread around the world, a new UK report shows. Source: AAP

GOVERNMENT tapping of people's phones is widespread around the world with Australia among a long list of countries permitting access to phone networks.

But Australia rates better than some, a report compiled by one of the world's largest phone companies says.

The detailed report by UK mobile carrier Vodafone examines legislative frameworks for telecommunications interception in 29 countries where it operates.

It says this is its contribution to the global debate on telecommunications interception.

The report says Australian carriers have legislative obligations to assist law enforcement and national security agencies, including an obligation to disclose information where authorised.

Interception is authorised by warrants issued to law enforcement and security agencies - though it may occur without a warrant in specified urgent circumstances.

Of substantial concern is the revelation in Vodafone's report that in six countries, authorities can bypass all legal requirements such as warrants to directly access an operator's network.

"In those countries, Vodafone will not receive any form of demand for lawful interception access as the relevant agencies and authorities already have permanent access to customer communications via their own direct link," the report said.

Vodafone doesn't specifically say which countries.

But in a detailed appendix compiled by an international law firm, it says Albania, Egypt, Hungary, Ireland, Qatar and Turkey all have provisions allowing authorities to request unfettered access.

In two other countries, India and the UK, legal provisions are unclear.

The report doesn't spell out the extent of telecommunications interception in Australia.

But the 2012-13 annual report, required under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, says a total of 3330 interception warrants were issued, more than half to NSW police and the NSW Crime Commission.

Around two-thirds were for drug trafficking and organised crime.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sundance appoints African engineering firm

AFRICA iron ore hopeful Sundance Resources says it's a step closer to its goal of building a $US3.5 billion mine, rail and port.

Sundance said it has appointed engineering and construction company Mota-Engil Africa as contractor to build port and rail infrastructure for the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project in the Republics of Cameroon and Congo.

Perth-based Sundance recently raised $40 million to begin developing the project.

Sundance added that financing discussions were well advanced with a variety of potential funding partners, export credit agencies, development funds and commercial banks.

The company aims to finalise debt funding requirements by mid-2015 and construction is expected to take 3.5 years once finance is secured.

It comes a week after Sundance secured a 10-year off-take agreement with global commodities trader Noble Group.

Former Leighton Holdings chief executive Wal King was recently appointed deputy chairman of Sundance.

At 1520 AEST Sundance shares were 1.1 cents, or 11 per cent, lower at 8.9 cents.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Senior SA Liberal to retire within a year

FORMER Liberal leader Iain Evans will quit the South Australian parliament within 12 months, which will spark a by-election.

The opposition treasury spokesman made the announcement on Friday after meeting state Liberal leader Steven Marshall.

He said he would not seek a shadow cabinet position in Mr Marshall's coming reshuffle.

"After 21 years representing the electorate of Davenport and my 46-year involvement in politics, I have made the decision to leave the SA parliament in the next 12 months and seek a new career in the private sector," he said.

Mr Evans, 55, has served as a minister, as SA Liberal leader and as deputy leader.

His announcement comes less than two weeks after former fellow frontbencher Martin Hamilton-Smith defected to become a minister in the minority Labor government.

Ten other MPS are on the Liberal front bench.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

NSW maintains AAA credit rating

CREDIT ratings agency Moody's has reaffirmed NSW's long-term AAA rating.

The agency says the rating reflects the state's diverse economic base, budget flexibility and secure and predictable grants from the Commonwealth.

"To obviously receive this endorsement in terms of the credit rating from Moody's a week or so out from the state budget is incredibly pleasing," NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance said on Friday.

NSW also holds a AAA credit rating with Standards & Poor, although the state is on negative watch.

The NSW budget will be handed down on June 17.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic police investigate baby's injuries

A SIX-WEEK-OLD baby girl has recovered from serious injuries that Victorian police are treating as suspicious.

The six-week-old girl was taken to Sale Hospital with serious injuries on March 6.

The baby has since recovered, but detectives are treating the injuries as non-accidental and suspicious, a police statement on Thursday said.

Detectives from the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team in Sale have appealed for more information about what happened to her.

Police asked a person who had previously provided information to call back on (03) 5143 5022.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Two more Nauru opposition MPs banned

TWO more opposition MPs have been suspended from the Nauru parliament amid claims the government is trying to avoid scrutiny of a budget that contains Australian funding for asylum seekers.

The government of President Baron Waqa is expected to hand down its budget on Thursday.

Three opposition MPs were banned from parliament in May amid chaotic scenes that included a police stand-off.

Another two - former president Sprent Dabwido and Squire Jeremiah - were suspended on Thursday for behaving in an "unruly manner".

The pair had opposed the earlier suspensions of Roland Kun, former foreign minister Kieren Keke and Mathew Batsiua.

That trio had been booted from parliament for talking to foreign journalists and criticising the government's decision to expel the country's chief justice, Australian Geoffrey Eames, and the dismissal of its only magistrate, Peter Law, another Australian.

Only three non-government MPs are left in the parliament, facing 11 from the government.

"The whole thing has gone pear-shaped," Mr Kun told AAP from New Zealand.

"We're pleading for the Speaker to save the legislature because the government has already killed the judiciary."

The opposition is unable to seek a Supreme Court ruling because no chief justice has been appointed to replace Mr Eames.

Mr Kun believes the second lot of suspensions is connected to the budget's timing.

"There are numerous holes in the budget but we can't put a finger on them until they actually present the paperwork," he said.

Australia provides a considerable part of the government's budget, which it uses to run an immigration detention centre and resettlement program.

So far Nauru has resettled 41 refugees on a temporary basis until a third country, expected to be Cambodia, agrees to a deal with Australia.

The detention centre accommodates more than 1100 asylum seekers.

Opposition MPs are concerned that funding for healthcare, education, transport and utilities is going backwards.

Mr Kun believes money has been diverted to a fund used to pay cash bonuses to "selected individuals".

If the budget passed on Thursday, parliament might not sit again until 2015, he said.

Comment has been sought from the Nauru government.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

NZ dollar climbs from three-month low

THE New Zealand dollar has climbed from a three-month low as traders recovered lost confidence in the local economy, and lowered their expectations for a downgrade to the Reserve Bank's interest rate track.

The kiwi rose to 84.41 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 84.15 cents at 8am and 84.13 cents on Wednesday. The trade-weighted index advanced to 78.90 from 78.67 on Wednesday.

The New Zealand dollar arrested its slide this month as traders pared back expectations Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler will lower his forecast track for interest rate hikes this year at next Thursday's monetary policy review.

Traders started anticipating a slower pace of interest rate increases as dairy prices steadily declined this year, and local inflation stayed in check.

Traders are betting Mr Wheeler will hike the official cash rate 80 basis points over the coming 12 months, according to the Overnight Index Swap curve.

"The market is coming to their senses and realised they have overdone how much they think the Reserve Bank will downgrade the interest rate track next week," said Imre Speizer, market strategist at Westpac Banking Corp in Auckland.

"There was a very large gap that opened up between the Reserve Bank's latest forecast from March and where the market has priced it."

Investors will be watching the European Central Bank policy meeting on Thursday in Brussels, where president Mario Draghi is expected to announce new measures to stimulate the European economy.

The kiwi gained to 62.04 euro cents at 5pm from 61.79 cents on Wednesday.

It also increased to 90.90 Australian cents from 90.73 cents and to 86.56 yen from 86.35 yen.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic govt getting legal advice on Shaw

The Victorian government is seeking legal advice regarding rogue independent MP Geoff Shaw. Source: AAP

VICTORIAN Premier Denis Napthine says the coalition is getting constitutional advice about rogue independent Geoff Shaw to avoid any potential legal challenge.

"Geoff Shaw has done the wrong thing," Dr Napthine told reporters.

"He must be made to pay the price."

Labor leader Daniel Andrews will move to have Mr Shaw found in contempt and expelled when parliament resumes on Tuesday.

But Dr Napthine says the government wants to get proper constitutional advice so any decision by the parliament is dealt with correctly.

"We want to make sure it's done absolutely correctly so we don't have a circus running off to the High Court with injunctions."

Dr Napthine says any decision by the parliament needs to be enforceable.

"We will take appropriate action to deal with Geoff Shaw," he said.

"We're getting appropriate constitutional and legal advice to make sure Geoff Shaw is held fully accountable for his actions."

But it was important not to rush into a situation that could ultimately end up in the High Court by Mr Shaw, and him walking away without paying for his wrongful actions.

"Under my leadership we will deal with Mr Shaw," Dr Napthine said.

Dr Napthine said Mr Andrews was causing disruption rather than letting the government get on with the job of governing.

He wanted to rush into things, when calm and collected advice was needed, he said.

"Mr Andrews has spent the last two years being an absolute wrecker," Dr Napthine said.

"His recent comments regarding the constitution shows he is going at this like a bull at a gate."

The coalition-dominated parliamentary privileges committee found Mr Shaw breached the MP code of conduct by misusing his parliamentary car, but a minority report from its Labor members went further and recommended he be found in contempt of parliament.

The Liberal-turned-independent MP holds the balance of power in the Legislative Assembly.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kiwi drops to six-month low against Aussie

THE New Zealand dollar has dropped to a six-month low against its trans-Tasman counterpart after figures showed an improving Australian economy, on growing exports and accelerating home building.

The kiwi fell as low as 90.70 Australian cents, trading at 90.73 cents at 5pm from 91.25 cents on Tuesday.

It also fell to 84.12 US cents from 84.27 cents at 8am and 84.59 cents on Tuesday.

Australia's economy grew 1.1 per cent in the first three months of the year, beating the 0.9 per cent growth forecast in a Bloomberg survey.

"The market's long on kiwi crosses, and it's a continuation of the unwinding," said Tim Kelleher, head of institutional FX sales New Zealand at ASB Institutional in Auckland, referring to the position where an investor bets an asset will appreciate.

"I wouldn't get too carried away, the kiwi's at the bottom end of the range."

Also weighing on New Zealand's currency was another drop in dairy prices at the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction.

The kiwi fell to 61.79 euro cents from 62.17 cents on Tuesday and to 86.37 yen from 86.55 yen.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hackers may be behind NSW 'swatting' hoax

HACKERS from anywhere in the world could have gained access to a Sydney teenager's computer and sparked an elaborate shooting hoax in the city's south.

More than 20 police in bullet-proof vests swarmed a home in Bonar Street, Arncliffe early on Wednesday morning after receiving reports of shots being fired at the property.

But it turned out to be a hoax with the teenager at the centre of the incident apparently caught up in an elaborate "swatting" hoax, whereby pranksters trick police or SWAT crews into thinking there has been a major incident.

"At this stage of inquiries, the matter is being investigated as a public mischief incident," police said in a statement.

Mathew McGrath, 18, was questioned by police and released without charge pending further inquiries - including an examination of three computers and a mobile phone taken from the home.

His mother told reporters a text message was sent from his mobile phone to triple-zero in Queensland, prompting the police response.

NSW Blue Mountains-based computer security expert, Stilgherrian, who goes by a single name, said it would be entirely possible for hackers anywhere in the world to gain access to Mr McGrath's computer and spark the hoax.

"Once they've hacked his computer they can either make online or Skype calls out through it," he told AAP.

Computer programs could also have been used to send out text messages from his mobile phone.

The incident is believed to be the first case of swatting in Australia that's prompted an emergency services or police response.

There have been numerous cases of the prank in the US, including those targeting celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton, Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood and Ashton Kutcher.

Stilgherrian said in some cases hackers had invented a scoring system, whereby they get additional points if the incident appears on television or attracts a response of more than 50 police officers.

Lawmakers in California have introduced stiff penalties for those caught swatting, including paying back the costs involved in the emergency response.

In any case, Bonar Street got a wake-up call at 4.40am on Wednesday when police arrived.

Neighbour Ray Anderson told AAP he was woken by bright lights, before seeing police and TV crews lining the usually quiet street.

"I woke up to a great big light shining in my window," he said.

"It was still dark."

Mr Anderson described the teen as "a very nice lad".

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie pulls kiwi higher

THE New Zealand dollar has gained from a three-month low on speculation the kiwi will benefit along with the Australian dollar from what is expected to be stronger Australian economic growth data.

The kiwi traded at 84.57 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from as low as 84.37 cents at the start of the day and from 84.68 cents late on Monday.

The New Zealand dollar slipped to 91.29 Australian cents from 91.36 cents at 8am and from 91.45 cents on Monday.

Figures on Wednesday will show the Australian economy expanded 1.1 per cent in the first quarter, based on a Westpac Banking Corp forecast.

That may help lift the Australian dollar and drag the kiwi up with it.

Australia's central bank on Tuesday kept its cash rate at a record low 2.5 per cent while noticing some additional signs of growth in the economy of New Zealand's second-largest market.

By contrast, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to hike its official cash rate to 3.25 per cent at next week's monetary policy statement.

"A bit of a pop higher in the Aussie should carry the kiwi along with it," said Robert Rennie, Westpac's chief currency strategist in Sydney.

"In the New Zealand economy, we're seeing lower dairy and business confidence but still record-breaking migration and that's an important part of the story. I'm not totally convinced that kiwi-Aussie continuing to fall into the MPS is totally valid."

The trade-weighted index slipped to 79.10 from 79.16 and didn't move much after government figures showed the terms of trade edged closer to an all-time high in the first quarter as dairy products led a gain in export prices and petroleum products led import prices lower.

The kiwi was little changed at 62.16 euro cents from 62.14 cents at the start of the day and at 86.53 yen from 86.54 yen.

13.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Six injured in Christmas Island clash

The Greens have called on the federal government to clarify reports of violence on Christmas Island. Source: AAP

SIX asylum seekers have been injured during a violent clash with a riot squad at the Christmas Island detention centre.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told parliament an emergency response team was used to end a protest on Monday night.

"Reports to me suggest some detainees became aggressive and were subsequently restrained," he said on Tuesday.

Two asylum seekers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the centre's medical clinic.

Four asylum seekers were transported by ambulance to the island's hospital where they were treated for suspected sprains and broken bones.

No staff were hurt in the incident.

Refugee advocates claim 75 asylum seekers, who had been on hunger strikes, had been peacefully protesting in the rain when the riot squad was sent in.

The protest had marked the 100th day since the death of Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati at the Manus Island detention centre.

13.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Toy shop turmoil after Lego heist

Detectives are piecing together how $15,000 worth of Lego was stolen from a Victorian toy store. Source: AAP

EVERYTHING clicks with Lego at the moment, leading criminals to connect the pieces and target the popular toys.

Thieves have made off with $15,000 worth of Lego in two robberies a week apart at a Victorian toy store.

Detective Senior Constable Ian Porter said the thieves knew what they were after, homing in on mainly the "City" and "Technic" series.

"I believe that they've targeted the store, in particular targeting Lego, because of the value that was stolen and being predominantly the product that was stolen from the store," he told AAP.

Toyworld Seymour owner Werner Baumann said other toys were worth more but the thieves went for the Lego.

"It has been a bit of a spate of robberies through the smaller toy shops over the last six months or so and they're only targeting Lego," he told Fairfax Radio.

"Over the last 12 months it has become one of the hottest toy properties in Australia."

The thieves removed the glass from the door of the Seymour shop, leaving little evidence and giving them easy access.

Det Sen Const Porter believes the offenders have experience in glazing or have glazing tools.

The thieves also removed the hard drive of the store's CCTV, which he said indicated they had been in the store beforehand and knew the layout.

The latest burglary happened between 1pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday.

The first was between 1pm on Saturday 24 May and 8am on Monday 26 May.

AAP stu/mn/cs

13.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Driver may have seen missing Vic girl Bung

THREE years and 1000 calls to Crimestoppers on, police are still waiting for the one tip-off to help them find missing Melbourne schoolgirl Siriyakorn "Bung" Siriboon.

Police have chased down a mountain of leads, doorknocked 1000 homes, interviewed 250 registered sex offenders and offered a $1 million reward.

Homicide squad Detective Inspector John Potter said it might take a tip-off to find Bung, who disappeared on her walk to school in Boronia in Melbourne's east.

"Someone may tell someone else what's happened to Bung and that's the person that we need to come forward," Det Insp Potter told reporters on Monday.

"We continue to hold grave fears for Bung."

What's for sure is Bung's neighbour saw her walk along Elsie St shortly after 8.30am on June 2, 2011.

Beyond that the details are sketchy.

Police thought Bung made it all the way along Harcourt Rd to Moncoe St, just 130 metres from her school.

But another report, that a driver saw a teenage Asian girl - possibly in a school uniform - in the back seat of a white Ford station wagon on Boronia Rd, puts that in doubt.

"They were driving, they were stationary at the traffic lights, they saw this happen, they felt there was something odd about what they were seeing, so they reported it," Det Insp Potter said.

The driver, aged in his late 50s or early 60s, had a tattooed left arm and a "rock and roll styled hairdo".

"If this is a perfectly innocent scenario we need to find out," Det Insp Potter said.

Police had held onto the information about the sighting in the car "for some time" until they were sure it was on the day Bung went missing.

He said police had spoken to persons of interest, but none of them owned a white station wagon.

In 2013 a man claimed he hit Bung with his car and dumped her body at a local reserve.

But no remains were found, and police said parts of his story didn't add up.

Det Insp Potter said police "always hold out hope" Bung may be found alive.

13.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Asaleo gears up for market debut

PERSONAL hygiene products maker Asaleo is hoping to raise up to $690 million ahead of its stock market debut in July.

The maker of Sorbent toilet paper and Libra feminine hygiene products is pricing its offer at up to $1.80 a share, which could see the new entrant valued about $1 billion.

Chief executive Peter Diplaris said Asaleo's float followed two years of working to transform the company to improve its capacity and profits.

"We have been focused on reorganising the business functions to ensure better alignment with each product category and increased investment in brands and innovation to improve product category performance," he said.

"At the same time, the business has implemented a major capital investment program totalling more than $100 million to improve product quality and innovation and improve efficiencies."

Asaleo employs more than 1,000 workers in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

According to its prospectus, which was unveiled on Monday, Asaleo will issue between 383.8 million and 408.9 million shares.

The shares will be priced between $1.55 and $1.80 each, with the final price to be determined after a bookbuild ahead of Asaleo's July 3 market debut.

Asaleo, formerly known as SCA Hygiene Australasia, plans to use money raised from its initial public offering to reduce its near $300 million debt pile.

The company is currently half owned by Sweden's Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA and local private equity outfit Pacific Equity Partners.

After Asaleo's market debut, SCA's stake will fall to about 33 per cent, while Pacific will pull out completely.

The company's earnings have improved in recent years, with pro forma net profit rising to $61.5 million in calendar 2013 from $47.6 million the previous year.

Asaleo has forecast a 14.7 per cent rise in pro forma net profit to $70.6 million in 2014, while sales are expected to lift 2.7 per cent to $642.2 million.

Its prospectus said Asaleo intends to pay investors an unfranked dividend of between 4.7 and 4.9 cents a share for the second half of 2014.

Asaleo's stable of products also includes the TENA incontinence range, Handee paper towels and Deeko tableware.

The company is chaired by Harry Boon, who also is chair of Tatts Group.

13.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brown wooed as face of Tasmanian tourism

BOB Brown is being wooed as the face of Tasmanian wilderness tourism.

The former Greens leader has been sounded out by the state's tourism industry to promote Tasmania's World Heritage Area.

The idea builds on the recent Go Behind the Scenery campaign, which sought to make the state's environmental battles a point of interest for tourists.

Tourism Industry Council boss Luke Martin has said Dr Brown defines the state's recent history.

But the Greens' patriarch may not be easily wooed.

Tasmania's new Liberal state government wants to open up national parks to eco-tourism development, a move Dr Brown has called "stupid" and "greedy".

Premier Will Hodgman is also backing a federal government move to cut 74,000 hectares from the World Heritage Area.

Dr Brown says he already pushes destination Tasmania but there would be conditions to him fronting a tourism campaign.

"I'm very woo-able but not unless they get the (balance) right," he has told the Hobart Mercury.

"Private development should be outside World Heritage and outside national parks, and developments inside national parks should be public and they should be well funded."

The Hodgman government has called for potential investors to pitch "sensitive and appropriate" eco-tourism ideas.

Mr Martin says they are the norm in countries such as New Zealand and Canada, where green groups support them.

Greens leader Christine Milne said the tourism industry should oppose the federal government's World Heritage wind-back.

"It's a bit rich for the Tourism Industry Council to be appealing to Bob Brown to help it sell tourism in World Heritage Areas while the Abbott government is trying to destroy them," she said in a statement.

13.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man charged after baby attacked

A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with grievous bodily harm and cruelty after an injured baby was admitted to a Brisbane hospital.

The one-year-old boy was taken to hospital with unspecified injuries, police say.

The man will appear in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on Monday.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

NSW police reach stricken yacht

A YACHT stranded off the coast of Port Stephens, on the NSW mid north coast, is being towed back to Coffs Harbour after engine trouble.

The sole person on board - a 46-year-old man from Sydney - is not believed to have been injured, police said on Sunday.

The 16-metre single-masted sailing boat sent a distress radio beacon on Saturday night, 200 nautical miles offshore, reporting engine problems.

Water police left Port Stephens late on Saturday, reaching the stricken boat on Sunday afternoon.

The vessel, believed to have been sailing to New Zealand, is now under tow back to Coffs Harbour.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vic taxi driver bashed unconscious

A taxi driver has been attacked while filling his car at a Melbourne petrol station. Source: AAP

A TAXI driver has been kicked and bashed unconscious in an unprovoked attack in Melbourne.

The driver was filling his taxi at a Spotswood service station when a man began kicking the car and striking it with a windscreen cleaner. The incident happened early on Sunday, police said.

When the taxi driver challenging the man he knocked the driver to the ground, kicked him in the head and continued assaulting him until he was unconscious.

The offender continued to damage the taxi, then fled.

The victim was taken to the Western Hospital with serious injuries.

Police have described the man as Caucasian appearance, bald and aged in his 30s or 40s. He wore an Essendon AFL jumper with number 27 on the back, dark pants and white sneakers.

13.23 | 0 komentar | Read More