Thunderstorms moving east across state

Top of Bunya Mountains looking west out over the Darling Downs. Things are really brewing up out here today! Picture courtesy: Jeff Higgins / Higgins Storm Chasing Source: Supplied

THE severe thunderstorms threatening southern Queensland are moving towards the coast, with the weather bureau issuing a warning for Toowoomba and the greater Darling Downs region.

4.45pm: The Bureau of Meteorology said storm cells have been detected on the radar northeast of Inglewood.

Forecasters are predicting damaging wind and large hail stones will hit Allora and Clifton by 5.45pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning remains current for the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast districts.

The Bureau of Meteorology will next issue an update at 5.45pm. For more details and latest information see www.bom.gov.au.

Bowen certainly has copped some rain!! Thankfully tide was out bit still water is still through some houses and cars. Picture: Tash Edwards

1.55pm: Another severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for damaging wind and large hailstones.

Areas expected to be affected are Roma, St George, Taroom, Tambo, Rolleston, Baralaba, Springsure, Goondiwindi and Carnarvon National Park.

11.45am: Southern Queensland has been put on alert for severe thunderstorms.

The weather bureau is predicting storms will roll over Roma, Emerald, St George, Biloela, Blackwater, Baralaba, Springsure, Goondiwindi and Carnarvon National Park in the coming hours.

Bowen certainly has copped some rain!! Thankfully tide was out bit still water is still through some houses and cars. Picture: Tash Edwards

The earlier warning for the Herbert, Lower Burdekin, Central Coast and Whitsunday districts has been cancelled.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said the State Emergency Service received about six calls for help after the rain event that hit the Bowen Basin overnight.

Emergency services were also called out to three swift water rescues, but passengers in the vehicles were able to pull themselves to safety.

No injuries were reported to paramedics.
 

Bowen certainly has copped some rain!! Thankfully tide was out bit still water is still through some houses and cars. Picture: Tash Edwards

10.30am: The Bureau of Meteorology has issued another warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy rain and flash flooding during the next couple of hours.

North Queensland's Bowen copped a heavenly dumping last night – with up to 274mm of rainfall in just over an hour.

The tropical downpour caused some flash flooding on roads but Bowen councillor Dave Clark said it was welcome relief after an extended dry spell.

The weather bureau said the rainfall was "significant" and very localised over Bowen, 274mm, and Hamilton Island, 236mm.

There were no damaging winds, and flash flooding was confined to the coastal areas.

Meteorologist Michael Knepp said the rainfall totals were not unusual for that tropical part of the state at this time of year.

"We are heading into that time of year when you can get rainfall totals like this," said Mr Knepp.

"It's not rare, you can get totals like this overnight."

Most of the rain over Hamilton Island fell between 11.30pm and 2am.

Cr Clark said the area had missed out on the usual winter rains and had been very dry.

"It's been really, really dry; quite depressing really," said Cr Clark.

"Everyone was happy with the rain. It was probably too much too quick but you can't have everything."

Jade Meredith, of Bowen, said she emptied about 300mL out of her rain gauge at 6am.

"It's already half full again," she said.

Rebecca Edwards described an overnight thunderstorm as "awesome".

"First lot of rain thunder and lightning I (have) seen since moving to Cannonvale," she said.

"I've been here seven months."

The Bruce Highway is cut in parts due to flash flooding.

Local police have also advised Argyle Rd, Park Rd and Queens Rd are shut.

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Two die in separate SA road crashes

TWO people have died in separate crashes in South Australia.

A male motorcyclist died after crashing on Waterloo Road near Manoora in the state's mid-north just after 2pm (CDT).

Earlier, a 60-year-old man from Tanunda died after losing control of their car in a fiery crash at Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley, north of Adelaide.

The car veered off the Sturt Highway, crashed through a fence and caught on fire about 11.40am (CDT).

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CMC boss to stay in job despite fallout

THE head of Queensland's crime and corruption watchdog says he'll continue in the role despite calls for him to quit.

Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) acting chairman Dr Ken Levy announced his intention to remain in the job less than 24 hours after an entire parliamentary committee investigating him got sacked.

A defiant Dr Levy told reporters: "As I said in my statement to parliament yesterday I believe I have acted honestly in all my duties as acting chairman.

"I have not and will not, in discharging my responsibilities, be swayed by the views of the government of the day or indeed by political considerations more generally."

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Protests erupt as Abbott responds to SBY

Indonesia has asked phone companies to investigate whether they helped to tap the President's phone. Source: AAP

THE Australian embassy in Jakarta is being pelted with eggs by protesters as Prime Minister Tony Abbott responds to calls for an apology from Indonesia over the phone-tapping scandal.

More than 1600 police have been deployed near the Australian and US embassies plus several other potential targets in the capital ahead of members of the hardline group, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), attending rallies after Friday prayers.

Already protesters in front of the Australian embassy have burnt photos of Mr Abbott and an Australian flag.

The protesters, from the Kommando Perjuan Merah Putih (Red and White Fighter Commandos) have also for a second day called for war with Australia and demanded the Australian ambassador, Greg Moriarty, be expelled from Indonesia.

"Our nation has been insulted by Australia. Let's attack them," one of the group shouted outside the embassy on Friday afternoon.

The FPI has previously rallied in support of convicted terrorist and suspected Bali bombing mastermind Abu Bakar Bashir.

Mr Abbott, who has promised a swift and courteous response to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's call for apology, met with the national security committee of cabinet on Thursday night and was declining to comment on Friday.

Indonesians are angry over reports Australia tapped their president's phone, and that of his wife, in 2009 and have demanded Mr Abbott apologise and explain how and why it occurred.

Indonesia's former intelligence chief said the diplomatic row could be resolved with an apology.

"Just apologise and ... forgive and forget," Abdullah Mahmud Hendropriyono told the ABC on Friday.

Mr Hendropriyono admitted in a 2004 television interview that Jakarta had spied on Australia.

Since this row began, Indonesia has halted co-operation on tackling people smuggling and the sharing of intelligence. Military exercises scheduled to take place in Darwin have also been put on hold.

Gita Wirjawan, Indonesia's trade minister, has warned his country may suspend talks on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Australia.

A senior ranking source from the Indonesian National Police anti-people smuggling taskforce said the asylum-seeker issue remained highly sensitive.

"It's too sensitive to talk about," he told AAP.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison declined to comment on the state of border protection activities with Indonesia but said Australia's Operation Sovereign Borders was continuing.

"(It) is designed to ensure the operation stands or falls on no single measure," he said.

"We have the ability to work through our chain of measures to ensure that whatever circumstances we face ... we are able to adapt and ensure the people smugglers will be frustrated."

The issues between Mr Abbott and President Yudhoyono were being addressed by them personally and he would not comment further.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard said US President Barack Obama's approach to German Chancellor Angela Merkel over a similar bugging scandal set the benchmark for a diplomatic response.

"If he (Obama) had been aware he wouldn't have authorised it, and he could certainly say for the future that it wouldn't happen again," she told CNN.

"I think that that's an appropriate response from Australia to Indonesia at this very difficult time."

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer said Mr Abbott should "extend a friendly hand to President Yudhoyono", but not confirm the bugging occurred or say sorry.

"If Tony Abbott were to say 'gee I'm sorry about that', that would reveal that in fact, the allegation was true," he told Sky News.

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Flags burn as tension rises in Jakarta

Demonstrators in Indonesia have burnt Australian flags in protest over alleged spying claims. Source: AAP

PROTESTERS burned flags and threatened to target Australians living in Indonesia as tension over the phone tapping scandal boiled on Jakarta's streets.

Some hardline protesters even called for war during a protest outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta on Thursday as Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament in Canberra he wanted "Australia to remain Indonesia's trusted partner now and in the future."

Mr Abbott said he would respond to the letter he received from Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who has sought an official apology and a full explanation as to why Australian spies targeted his mobile phone, as well as those of his wife and some of his closest confidants, in 2009.

Protesters also demanded an apology, with one activist from Pemuda Panca Marga, a group representing children of Indonesian veterans, warning Australian citizens in Indonesia would be targeted.

"Within 24 hours, if the Australian government does not apologise, we're ready to attack this place. We're ready to sweep Jakarta for Australians," he said.

Anti-Australian sentiment was palpable on the street outside the embassy.

One banner held by protesters read: "PPM, GM, FKPPI Ready!!! War with Australia", while graffiti on the road and the wall of the embassy read: "Mr Abott (sic) is stupid" and "F... you Ausi".

Another Pemuda Panca Marga member called for police to allow protesters into the embassy.

"We want the ambassador to get out of here. Get out of Jakarta. Police, please let us climb this fence for us to get in."

Australian travellers in Indonesia have been warned to avoid rallies.

Mr Abbott has ruled out apologising, saying only that he regretted the personal hurt caused to Dr Yudhoyono by media reports on the claims and on Thursday reiterated his desire to maintain strong relations with Indonesia.

"As always my intention is to do everything I reasonably can to strengthen the relationship which is so important to both our countries," he told parliament.

Mr Abbott said he would respond "swiftly, fully and courteously" to Dr Yudhoyono's letter.

Cooperation on tackling people-smuggling and the sharing of intelligence and military exercises have already been halted.

And Indonesia's trade minister Gita Wirjawan warned his country might suspend talks on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Australia.

"We must guarantee that we are comfortable in our communications (with Australia)," he said on Thursday.

But he said Australian cattle imports would continue.

The phone tapping activities by Australia's Defence Signals Directorate four years ago was revealed in US National Security Agency documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor supported government efforts to recover relations.

"The seriousness of this matter, or the sense of offence that our Indonesian friends are feeling, means that we must redouble our efforts to return to positive and construction dialogue between our governments," Mr Shorten told parliament.

Professor Tim Lindsey, an expert in Australia-Indonesia relations at the University of Melbourne, told AAP only a formal apology would be acceptable.

"It's a matter of personal insult to the president himself and his wife," he said.

"Unless Tony Abbott comes up with a form of words that the president can present in public as something constituting an apology of sorts then the dispute will not be resolved."

Labor on Thursday attempted to use a senate estimates hearing to ask foreign affairs officials about Indonesian policy, but Attorney-General George Brandis blocked the questions saying it was a "very delicate time".

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Patel nurse worried he'll operate again

FORMER doctor Jayant Patel's past patients are angry he has walked free from court and a former colleague is concerned he may seek work as a surgeon again.

The 63-year-old was handed a two-year suspended sentence on Thursday for fraudulently registering and working as a medical practitioner in Queensland.

Outside court in Brisbane the Indian-born US resident said he was pleased proceedings were over and would go "back to my life and my work".

The former Bundaberg Base Hospital nurse who blew the whistle on Patel said the reference to returning to work was alarming.

"I hope not," Toni Hoffman told AAP.

"I still don't think he understands or accepts the gravity of what's happened."

Former patients said they were disappointed and angry Patel walked free from court, and upset he had shown no remorse for his actions.

"He has no remorse because he thinks he's done nothing wrong," former patient Beryl Crosby said.

"He got a two-year sentence; those who lost loved ones got a life sentence."

Ian Vowles, another patient who accused Patel of causing him grievous bodily harm in an operation, said the sentence didn't reflect the crime.

And the wife of one of Patel's patients who later died said she was "very disappointed".

"I'd love to have seen something done about it, but for the people that have passed on it's too late for them," said Vilma Blight, wife of Darcy Blight.

The Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency announced they were taking legal action to prevent the disgraced former surgeon registering as a medical practitioner in the country again.

Patel is expected to return to the US where his wife and family live.

He showed little emotion as the sentence was handed down but told reporters outside court he was glad the "long and difficult journey" had ended.

"I'm pleased that it's over and I'll being going back to my life and my work," he said.

Judge Terry Martin told the sentencing hearing the seriousness of Patel's offending couldn't be overstated but took into account the two and a half years Patel had served in prison.

He said there was little doubt Patel's career was "forever ruined".

The court heard Patel lied about professional disciplinary action in the US to Queensland medical authorities so as to gain employment as head surgeon at Bundaberg Base Hospital in 2003.

He returned to the US under a cloud in 2005 before being extradited to Queensland in 2008 to face allegations of killing and maiming patients.

In 2010 Patel was convicted of three charges of manslaughter and one of grievous bodily harm and sentenced to seven years' prison, but the convictions were quashed on appeal.

Criminal negligence charges against him were finally dropped last week after two retrials failed to secure a conviction.

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Man dies after Swan Valley campsite attack

A 48-YEAR-OLD man allegedly bashed by two itinerant men camping alongside Swan River has died of his injuries.

Police said the victim, from Bullsbrook, was at Middle Swan Reserve in West Swan early on Sunday morning when he allegedly was confronted and assaulted by a 35-year-old man and a 41-year-old man of no fixed address.

Police alleged they used weapons including a metal pole during the attack.

Authorities on Wednesday said the victim had died at Royal Perth Hospital.

The two men appeared at Midland Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with grievous bodily harm.

A police spokeswoman said the charges might be upgraded pending a post-mortem examination.

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Qld AG says Labor MP unethical

QUEENSLAND'S Attorney-General wants Labor's Jackie Trad booted off the Ethics Committee for failing to declare a conflict of interest.

Ms Trad didn't disclose on the floor of parliament that her husband is a partner in a company in the compensation industry when she voted on changes to WorkCover.

The South Brisbane MP fully disclosed all of her interests last year on her register, but was unaware she had to declare again during the vote.

She was yet to be elected when the rule was spelt out during the new members' induction.

"I was not advised at that time that there was also an obligation on me under the standing orders to disclose the interest at the time of the division," she told parliament.

"My omission was in no way deliberate or intentional and I apologise to the house."

The apology was not enough for Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie, who says Ms Trad had a direct financial interest in the bill.

He wants her to resign from the Ethics Committee immediately or the leader of the opposition should tap her on the shoulder.

"This is absolute hypocrisy," Mr Bleijie said.

"She judges other members of parliament, but doesn't understand the rules of the House."

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AEC boss didn't seek legal advice over WA

THE Australian electoral commissioner hadn't taken any legal advice when he appointed former federal police chief Mick Keelty to investigate Senate ballot papers missing during a recount of the West Australian vote.

Commissioner Ed Killesteyn told a Senate estimates hearing he was looking for an inquiry to give an assessment on what had happened.

"(Legal advice) wasn't something that entered my mind," Mr Killesteyn said on Tuesday.

Mr Keelty was called in when it was clear that more than 1300 ballot papers were missing when a recount was taken in a tight WA Senate election.

"We had reached a view that the ballot papers were not going to be found," Mr Killesteyn said.

Mr Keelty was chosen by Mr Killesteyn and the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) chair Peter Heerey.

With his inquiry in its third week, Mr Keelty is assisted by five Canberra-based AEC staff who are interviewing AEC staff in Perth and others involved in the transportation of the ballot materials.

Mr Killesteyn did not know how much the investigation had cost so far when quizzed by Labor stalwart Senator John Faulkner.

He said Mr Keelty was paid on a daily rate, but declined to say what that was because he had not asked the former police chief if he wanted it made public and took the question on notice.

Senator Faulkner was not happy with that response.

"I think this parliamentary committee as it works through these issues will want to come to grips with the consequences, including the costs, of what you told us in your opening statement was a 'significant failure'," the senator said.

"That's not unreasonable and frankly would ordinarily provided. I would commend you reflect on that and perhaps come back to us with what costs you can."

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Abbott says his team is governing well

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has told his coalition colleagues he believes his team is responding intelligently to the demands of government, including the escalating tensions with Indonesia.

Mr Abbott addressed a joint coalition party room meeting in Canberra on Tuesday, telling MPs and senators that his government is "purposefully, calmly and methodically" getting on with the business it was elected to do.

He said the government had had a good two weeks and was "intelligently responding to the exigencies of the day", making a fleeting reference to the tensions between Australian and Indonesia over spying claims.

Colleagues praised Mr Abbott's recent visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Mr Abbott told the meeting he has "no interest in taking sides in fights in other countries", referring to his decision not to raise human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan government.

Mr Abbott said the Labor party was consumed with one question: was Kevin Rudd or Julia Gillard a worse prime minister?

He said he had settled on Mr Rudd because he did not even resign from parliament properly, subjecting the people of Griffith to three months without a member of parliament before a by-election can be held.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss also spoke about regional infrastructure funding, saying he had no intention of delivering on all Labor's promises.

However the government would conduct a "proper merit analysis" of individual Labor projects and may proceed with some, he said.

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Wild weather hits Sydney's north

WILD weather described as a mini-tornado has hit a shopping centre, pub and train station at Hornsby in Sydney's north, causing significant damage but only minor injuries.

Eight people were taken to Hornsby Hospital for treatment after blasting winds tore off roofing, toppled large trees, blew a demountable off its base onto a car and caused a cinema ceiling to collapse.

Emergency authorities said it was extremely fortunate no one was in the Westfield shopping centre cinema at the time.

The stormy blast hit about 2.40pm (AEDT) on Monday, causing power blackouts, the closure of part of the Pacific Highway and disruption to train services.

Dennis Magaropolous, who works in an office next to the shopping centre, said the storm felt and sounded like a bullet train approaching.

"The whole building started shaking," he told AAP.

"It was quite freaky. It was almost like a sonic boom."

State MP Matt Kean was in his office near the shopping centre when the storm struck.

"I could only describe it as a wall of sound that was cascading toward my office," he said.

"I looked out the window thinking a freight train was ripping though the centre of Hornsby to see cyclonic winds destroying anything in its path."

It wasn't a train but the roof of the neighbouring pub, which had been ripped off and was "scraping the concrete as it was smashed down the road", Mr Kean said.

Other witnesses described seeing debris such as roofing and rubbish spiralling into the air like a "mini-tornado".

Ambulance NSW Superintendent Michele Jordan said CCTV footage showed 14 people leaving the cinema just before its ceiling collapsed.

"The movie finished and then the roof blew in, so it was a lucky escape," she said.

Paramedics treated two people at the shopping centre, including one person hit by flying glass when trees smashed against a doorway.

Paramedics also treated five Sydney Trains staff at Hornsby railway station after a demountable was blown on its side, with some of them inside.

One of the patients was treated for a cut to his head caused by flying debris.

Paramedics also treated a 19-year-old woman for shock at the Hornsby library after windows blew in.

Hornsby Mayor Steve Russell praised emergency services for their speedy response.

"They were here within 15 minutes, very quick" he said.

A spokeswoman for the Westfield Group told AAP that customers had been moved out of the centre, which stopped trading and was operating on emergency power.

The Pacific Highway was reopened later on Monday after a fallen tree was cleared, but blackouts kept traffic lights out of action.

The wild weather also brought down a large tree on the railway lines between Asquith and Hornsby, but train services were later restored.

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Warrnambool shares up on new takeover bid

Canadian dairy giant Saputo has increased its bid for Warrnambool Cheese and dropped all conditions. Source: AAP

SHARES in Warrnambool Cheese and Butter have hit another record high after the company recommended the latest, higher takeover offer from Canadian dairy giant Saputo.

Saputo offered $9 a share on Friday night and Warrnambool's board immediately recommended acceptance.

Trade of Warrnambool shares resumed on Monday, and they gained 19 cents, or 2.1 per cent, to $9.29.

Saputo will also make its revised offer unconditional on November 28, removing a 50.1 per cent minimum acceptance target.

Warrnambool chairman Terry Richardson said the board of the Victorian dairy company unanimously recommended acceptance of the revised Saputo offer, in the absence of a higher bid.

"The board's recommendation reflects the increased cash consideration offered by Saputo and the compelling timing and execution certainty that it provides, particularly compared to the highly conditional Murray Goulburn proposal," Mr Richardson said in a statement released on Friday night.

Murray Goulburn has also offered $9 a share, but its bid still needs regulatory approval from the Australian Competition Tribunal.

"We are currently reviewing our options and will respond in due course," a company spokesman said.

Bega Cheese is also bidding for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter with an offer of $2 cash and 1.5 Bega shares per Warrnambool share - worth $9.17 at present.

The Warrnambool board has rejected the offer as uncertain, saying the current value of Bega's shares do not reflect the true value of the suitor and are fuelled by speculation and the increased value of Bega's 18 per cent stake in Warrnambool.

Bega Cheese is holding meetings with Warrnambool shareholders in Victoria and South Australia on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Saputo CEO Lino Saputo jnr said his revised offer underscored the Canadian company's commitment to Australia.

"Saputo's offer will be freed from all conditions, giving certainty to Warrnambool shareholders that they will receive this substantial cash offer on shortened payment terms if they accept," Mr Saputo jnr said in a statement.

Bega shares gained three cents to $4.78.

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