Power prices to drop

POWER prices in Tasmania are set to drop by 5.23 per cent next year in line with retail contestability.

The drop could see the average Tasmanian household save about $140 a year.

The independent Tasmanian Economic Regulator has this morning approved a State Government proposal to see a drop in power prices for Tasmanian households and small businesses from January 1.

"The approved standing offer prices represent a 5.23 per cent price decrease compared to the prices applying for the period 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013," Tasmanian Economic Regulator chairman Glenn Appleyard said this morning.

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Farmer seeks case review

A FORMER Redpa dairy farmer, who was last month found guilty of animal cruelty, has applied for his case to be reviewed in the Supreme Court, the Launceston Magistrates Court heard today.

In his sentencing submission defence barrister Greg Barns did not dispute the prosecution's arguments regarding the cruelty and severity of offences committed by Roderic Neil Mitchell, involving as many as 188 cows.

Mr Barns also did not dispute evidence regarding Mr Mitchell's repeated refusals to comply with advice and directions given to him by animal welfare officers, police, dairy advisers and other farmers.

He said Mr Mitchell, 33, had arrived in Tasmania aged in his 20s, over-confident after earning quick profits from a sale of irrigation water rights in Victoria.

Mr Barns said Mr Mitchell had been out of his depth.

"This is a young man who has not stuck to his knitting. A snowball effect, of a young person who thinks they have the answers, and who are not prepared to listen to those with knowledge," he said.

Mr Barns said it had been suggested, in evidence, that Mr Mitchell's behaviours and lack of insight had been consistent with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"That doesn't say that this means he wasn't able to understand directions, it's simply context," he said.

Mr Barnes said Mr Mitchell's offences were not among the worst forms of animal abuse, because they did not involve the sadistic torture or killing of animals.

Prosecutor Harry Virs said a custodial sentence was appropriate, given Mr Mitchell's actions in prolonging the court action against him which had begun in 2007, his lack of remorse and repeated refusal to follow directions and advice.

Mr Virs said Mr Mitchell had admitted, while under cross examination, that he had been actively engaged in efforts to have animal welfare officers removed from investigations because "they were sabotaging my farm".

He said when police and animal welfare officers arrived at the Redpa farm to seize cows on July 21, 2007, their path was blocked by Mr Mitchell's tractor.

Mr Virs said when asked to move the tractor, Mr Mitchell told them it was inoperable.

"When they went to another part of the property ... he started up the tractor and parked it in front of a livestock truck, to transfer stock to Cressy station," he said.

Mr Virs said Mr Mitchell had been asked in cross examination, "Is it justifiable in your view to starve a cow".

He said Mr Mitchell had paused for as long as 10 seconds before answering, "It depends on what your definition of starve is".

Mr Barns said Mr Mitchell now operated a profitable fencing business in Victoria, but still had debts of about $1 million in relation to the Redpa property.

Magistrate Reg Marron yesterday extended Mr Mitchell's bail until sentencing on September 18.

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Gay back in court

THE Crown has told a Supreme Court Judge today it is not pushing for a full-time jail sentence for former Gunns chairman John Gay.

John Eugene Gay, 70, of Clarence St, Launceston, pleaded guilty on August 5 to one count of insider trading.

Gay sold more than 3.4 million Gunns shares between December 2 and December 10, 2009, while in possession of inside knowledge from the company's October management report.

Justice David Porter heard sentencing submissions from prosecution and defence this morning.

Commonwealth prosecutor David Staehli, SC, said the unusual circumstances of the case meant the Crown accepted that a sentence not involving full-time custody may be justified.

Defence counsel Neil Clelland, SC, also submitted that punishment did not require a sentence of imprisonment.

He outlined Gay's history of prostate cancer and his "uncertain" prognosis to Justice Porter.

He said that after his cancer diagnosis Gay had resolved to sell shares to address his $14 million debt to the ANZ Bank.

The decision to sell was made before he saw the October management report which detailed the company's plummeting fortunes.

Mr Clelland said the defence was aware that Gunns divided public opinion.

He said the Gay family's pet dog had been poisoned and the family was threatened and vilified, especially during the pulp mill debate.

The court heard last week that Gay sold shares at 90 cents each, yielding $3.09 million, before they fell by 19 cents a share after the half-year result was released in February 2010.

The hearing continues this afternoon.

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State's north awash

RESIDENTS of the Launceston suburb of Newstead are being warned that their properties are at risk of flooding by rising river waters in coming hours.

Launceston City Council and State Emergency Service officers have begun doorknocking residences in Hart St and Birch Avenue, which have been threatened by the swollen North Esk River.

SES spokeswoman Mhairi Revie said at least 24 homes had been affected by flash flooding in Newnham, Newstead, Prospect, Evandale and Perth.

At least 18 businesses in the Kings Meadows shopping strip have been inundated -- the first time in eight years that flooding has been reported in that area.

Ms Revie said sandbagging and water pumping operations were being carried out in affected areas of Northern Tasmania.

She said Launceston's flood levy system, which is still under construction, was unlikely to be breached, but SES was watching closely for any escalation of rainfall or flooding.

A cold front brought overnight rainfalls of between 50mm and 80mm over Northern Catchments including the North Esk, South Esk and Meander.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued moderate flood alerts for those catchments.

In Tasmania's south, the Styx and Tyena Rivers are running high after rainfalls as high as 38mm over the Derwent River catchment areas, but flooding is not expected in the lower Derwent River.

Tasmania Police reports that most affected roads are passable at this stage. Some including the West Tamar Highway, Youl Rd and Winkleigh Rd, have flood-warning signs.

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Call to reveal same-sex stance

FAMILY First Senate candidate Peter Madden has urged Liberal Party candidates, Andrew Nikolic (Bass) and Eric Hutchinson (Lyons) to reveal their feelings on same-sex marriage or his party's preferences will be going to their political opponents.

"The people of Tasmania deserve to know where candidates from both major parties stand concerning family values issues," Mr Madden said today.

"Though Family First is very focused on Tasmania's economic restoration, family values are essential to who we support.

"Our support will go to family values candidates, not to any specific party."

The calls came as Labor MPs Geoff Lyons (Bass) and Dick Adams (Lyons) told the Mercury they had not changed their position to vote against same-sex marriage legislation.

Mr Madden said Mr Adams and Mr Lyons had proven their support for family values.

"The overwhelming majority of Liberal candidates uphold family values and will be supported by Family First," Mr Madden said.

"However Brigadier Nikolic and Eric Hutchinson have not made it clear where they stand on this important issue and this is not acceptable.

"Consequently we are calling them out, to make their position clear in the next 24 hours, otherwise preference deals may be finalised."

The Liberal Party have been contacted for comment.

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Wind whistles across state

Carmen Shaw, 21, of Launceston, braving today's wild and windy conditions. Picture: ROSS MARSDEN

TASMANIA is being buffeted by strong wind, with gusts forecast to hit 100km/h later in the day.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning earlier today.

It said a low-pressure system would pass just to the south of Tasmania this afternoon, with an associated cold front to cross the state from the west this evening and overnight.

Damaging winds about 50 km/h, with peak gusts of 100 km/h, were forecast for the entire state

Speaking just before 2pm today, State Emergency Service regional duty officer Mark Dance said no calls had been received yet but conditions were expected to intensify.

He said householders should secure any loose items around their homes and keep well clear of any fallen trees or downed power lines.

Drivers are advised that wind gusts will make driving conditions dangerous this afternoon and evening on many roads around Tasmania.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.

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Candidate a rural voice

WELL-KNOWN Central Highlands agribusinessman Geoff Herbert says by running for election he will give voice to the rural sector.

From Bothwell, Mr Herbert's interests reach into the heartland of the highlands community and beyond. His business includes food, fuel, fishing and hunting supplies.

"Like the rural community I am fed up with the unnecessary bureaucratic red tape which goes government to government -- it's nonsense and is getting worse. This has inspired me to run," Mr Herbert said.

About six weeks ago he decided to stand for Katter's Australian Party in the Senate.

The Central Highlands lost $12 million of retail value when the forest industry closed.

"The state has 200,000 hectares of plantation timber with farmers left out to dry, they are not getting any answers.

"The whole industry has disappeared, and then you look at what the district got out of the $100 million peace deal money, absolutely nothing."

High on the agenda is freight equalisation, funding to complete the Southern Highlands Irrigation Scheme and why the NBN roll out has come to grinding stop.

He said the community had gone to government seeking answers about the key issues plus sealing the Highland Lakes Highway, which has tourism potential.

"We have been fobbed off. People in the country are not treated fairly, and governments just want us to go away," Mr Herbert said.

Katter's Australian Party hopes to run two candidates in the Senate, with party leader Bob Katter in Tasmania next week.

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Volcano land, week 2

Andrew was greeted by dancing villagers dressed in palm fronds when he arrived at Karapi in Papua New Guinea.

LIFE abounds five degrees below the equator. As week two of Volcano Land draws to an itching conclusion, I can report that the grid dimensions of the mesh inner of my tent are greater than the girth of the average-sized sand fly and the occasional flying ant.

Casual observers would think I've contracted adult measles, but that's the trade-off for the flying fish, saucepan sized butterfly and edible nuts that just fall willy nilly out of trees.

The folding sea kayak has transported me nearly 200km along the coast from Walindi to the foot of Mt Ulawun, a 2334m giant volcano.

Along the way, at Karapi village, I pulled in at the black sand beach to be mobbed by about 100 people. It was a local holiday to mark the death of a former provincial governor.

Dorothy Herman, a widowed teacher, put her hand up to house me for the night. As fast as the dry bags were pulled from beneath the skin of the kayak they were whisked away by eager hands. I was left with nothing to carry but the paddle.

Manuel Mauda led me away to the men's washing area of the creek and then on an extended tour of the village. It sprawls along the rough highway that continues to the Bialla oil palm plantations and beyond.

Manuel's great uncle came down from his pole frame house and explained that he'd been to Brisbane on joint training with the Australian Defence Force. As a PNG Defence Force member he'd been a soldier during the transition to independence in 1975. He receives about 60 Kina ($28) a month as a pension.

Young men dressed in palm fronds like the storybook Grug, come charging out of nowhere with whippy sticks to chase the young children from the galip trees, which are now bearing the tasty galip nut. It's a traditional game that part-delights and part-terrifies the children.

The next morning I depart with a ripening paw paw in the front hold and two drinking coconuts tied to the back. Just in time - the afternoon storm is rumbling in from the mountains to cool the itches.

Expedition Class is a program of the Bookend Trust. This project is supported by the Tasmanian Department of Education, Pennicott Foundation, UTAS SET, Mercury NIE, IMAS, Sea to Summit and friends. Follow Andrew's daily reports at www.expeditionclass.com

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Community's heart beats on

TUCKED away in suburbs across the state, Tasmania's network of 34 neighbourhood houses are on the front line of the state's financial crisis.

Most of the houses are under increasing pressure to meet demand and staff say promised extra funding can't come soon enough.

Risdon Vale's Neighbourhood Centre is a typical example of the many ageing, cash-strapped houses that are still managing to make a positive impact in their community.

Centre co-ordinator Ann Harrison is the only full-time paid staff member at the centre.

The centre's annual budget from the Department of Health and Human Services is about $112,000 a year.

More funding is sourced from a patchwork of grants and the houses rely heavily on a pool of volunteers.

The humble brown brick house next to the Risdon Vale shopping area was opened in 1985.

"Because of the increased demand now on neighbourhood houses and the cost of living pressures we're doing much more and there's just not enough space," Mrs Harrison said.

Young mum Danielle Clifford, of West Moonah, grew up in Risdon Vale. Her parents still live there and she attended playgroup at the community centre when she was a child.

Now she brings her own son Riley, 1, to playgroup and is learning new skills by volunteering at the centre.

"It gets us all together, and we're getting things organised and getting things done," Ms Clifford said.

Mrs Harrison said the centre was an empowering place for young mothers.

"Sometimes the young ones have babies and they become isolated at home and they get lost. When they are young they want to have a baby and then they realise it's not the be-all and end-all ... with everything that they do here, they are learning skills and it gives them confidence and self esteem," she said.

With charities buckling under rising demand, neighbourhood houses are now providing food aid daily. Staff also connect locals with financial counsellors and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Cooking classes are offered to local mums who struggle to afford healthy food and who lack a sound knowledge of cooking and nutrition.

Mrs Harrison said the Federal Government's decision to transfer some single mums from the single parenting payment to Newstart was having a big impact at Risdon Vale.

"Some [single mums] have lost $100 per fortnight and that's their food money. I don't think things are going to get any easier. Kids have poor diets in these high-needs communities," Mrs Harrison said.

As one of the few winners from this year's State Budget, neighbourhood houses will be making the most of every cent.

A total of $4 million will be allocated over the next two years to pay for infrastructure upgrades across Tasmania's 34 neighbourhood houses.

In addition, $580,000 has been provided for preventative health programs to be run through the houses.

Mrs Harrison said the Tasmanian Association of Community Houses had been lobbying the Government and MPs for extra money for some time.

"They know it's money well spent, we save the government a lot of money through the work we do, it's the community doing work to help the community."

For more information, go to www.tach.asn.au

blair.richards@news.com.au

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