Australian NSW leader resigns

16 April 2014 Last updated at 06:17 Mr O'Farrell says he has accepted the consequences of his "massive memory fail" The leader of Australia's most populous state has announced his resignation after failing to declare a gift of A$3,000 ($2,800; £1,680) wine.

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell admitted to a "massive memory fail" after telling a corruption inquiry that he never received the wine.

Mr O'Farrell said he could not remember calling businessman Nick Di Girolamo, who sent him the gift in 2011.

He acted after investigators unveiled a handwritten thank you note from him.

'No recollection'

Mr O'Farrell, leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party, announced his resignation at a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday.

He told reporters that he "did not seek to mislead" the inquiry.

"I do accept there is a thank you note signed by me and as someone who believes in accountability, I accept the consequences of my action," he said.

He added that a new premier would be elected at a parliamentary meeting next week.

"I still cannot explain either the arrival of a gift that I have no recollection of, or its absence which I certainly still cannot fathom. But I accept the consequences in an orderly way."

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who leads the Liberal-National coalition, said Mr O'Farrell's resignation was a sign of integrity, not corruption.

"Obviously, as we now know, he innocently and inadvertently misled ICAC yesterday and has taken the utterly honourable step of resigning as premier," he said.

Opposition politician John Kaye said there was a broader lesson in Mr O'Farrell's announcement.

"This is not about Barry O'Farrell, it is about the culture of politics in New South Wales," he said.

"Barry O'Farrell was clearly inundated with gifts and donations with lobbyists but he just lost track of what was going on."

Mr O'Farrell received the bottle of 1959 Penfolds Grange Hermitage from businessman Nick Di Girolamo, whose company, Australia Water Holdings, is being investigated by the New South Wales corruption body.

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Foreign jails hold 565 Aussies (The West Australian)

More than 500 Australians are in overseas jails, new figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs reveal.

The 14-year-old NSW boy busted for alleged marijuana possession in Bali joins a long list of Australians to fall foul of local authorities for drug offences.

But so far he is the only one to get a phone call from the Prime Minister.

At the end of last month, 565 Australians were in custody overseas, including those held by police or in jail awaiting trials, DFAT said.

There are 234 Australians serving jail terms in foreign prisons.

The most celebrated is Schapelle Corby, whose story has resembled a soap opera after Indonesian customs officials found 4kg of cannabis in her bodyboard bag in 2004.

Despite pleading innocence, she was convicted of drug smuggling and jailed for 20 years.

The verdict and perceived harsh penalty sparked outrage in Australia, with demands for Corby to be allowed to serve her sentence at home because of concerns her mental health was deteriorating.

Also in Indonesian prisons are the Bali Nine, who tried to smuggle heroin valued at $4 million to Australia in 2005.

Police arrested them at the airport and a resort, some with heroin strapped to their bodies.

The ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, are on death row in Kerobokan Prison and hope a plea for clemency will save them from the firing squad.

Other members also faced execution but their sentences were cut to life in jail on appeal.

Three weeks ago, Graeme Michael Pollock, originally of Perth, was arrested in Kuta after allegedly being caught with 0.64g of methamphetamine. He faces up to 12 years jail if found guilty.

While drug mules and users make up much of the caseload, Australians are doing time for other serious offences.

In July, the Bulgarian Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Sydney man Jock Palfreeman against his 20-year sentence for stabbing a Bulgarian student to death in 2007. His legal team argued self-defence and crucial evidence, such as CCTV footage, was not shown at the trial.

An appeal to the European Court of Human Rights has been flagged.

But a conviction overseas does not necessarily mean an Australian will not come home to do the time for their crime.

WA woman Holly Deane-Johns spent seven years in a Bangkok jail after she tried to mail heroin to an address in Perth. She was transferred to Bandyup Women's Prison in 2007 to serve out her sentence.

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Australian Boy, 14, Faces 6 Years in Indonesia Prison For Drug Possession

Australian officials are urging that authorities in Bali, Indonesia release a 14-year-old Australian schoolboy who has been arrested for drugs possession and could face up to six in years in prison.

The boy, whose identity cannot be revealed, reportedly was arrested Tuesday after he purchased 6.9 grams (less than a quarter of an ounce) of marijuana on the island resort while on holiday with his parents. The dealers were allegedly plainclothes police officers setting up a sting operation on Kuta Beach on the southern coast of the famed island.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the boy, who hails from Morrisset Park, a town north of Sydney, said he bought the drugs because he felt sorry for the ‘dealer’ who claimed he had not eaten all day.

However, due to Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws, marijuana is regarded as dangerous as heroin and cocaine, possession of which can lead to stiff penalties. If the boy were above the age of 18, he might be facing up to twelve years in jail.

Under Indonesian laws, the boy can be held in detention without charges for up to thirty days.

According to Australian media, the boy is the youngest Australian to be arrested under Indonesia's drug laws. Moreover, drug smugglers have often been executed by firing squad.

The British newspaper Daily Telegraph that the boy, who is under custody at Denpasar police headquarters, is undergoing blood and urine tests and reportedly depressed, upset and refusing food.

Meanwhile, Australia’s foreign minister vowed he would stop at nothing to secure the boy’s release.

Kevin Rudd told local radio that he will "do everything possible to get this little bloke home." But he warned it could take some time, noting "there are real challenges that we face here, and I think we've all got to be patient."

According to Associated Press, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard characterized the boy’s arrest and detention as "an incredibly distressing circumstance."

In response, a spokesman for Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said the case is still under investigation, but warned that "everybody should know by now that illegal drugs in Indonesia will bring very severe penalties."

The boy’s Indonesia attorney, Mohammed Rifan, told Australian media that police violated Indonesian procedural rules because they interviewed him in the absence of his parents.

Julian McMahon, a Melbourne lawyer told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio, that the boy is unlikely to suffer a lengthy prison term.

"He would get nothing like that. He would get some months, you would expect, if he had to go to jail at all," he said.

According to the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties, four Australians have been executed in Malaysia and Singapore in the last 25 years, while three others are facing the death penalty (including one in Indonesia) – not necessarily for drug charges.

Perhaps the most high-profile Australian who got tangled up in Indonesia’s draconian drug laws was Schappelle Corby, who is serving 20 years in prison for smuggling 4 kilograns of cannabis in Bali.

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Australian boy, 14, faces Bali jail over drug arrest

TOM ALLARD AND AMILIA ROSA

A witness to the arrest in Bali of a NSW teenager says the schoolboy was picked up in a co-ordinated sting by plain clothes police intelligence officers who had been waiting for hours, apparently tipped off that he had allegedly purchased drugs.

The witness, a shopkeeper at the Mirah mini market, said the boy, 14, was apprehended at about 2pm on Tuesday along with a friend after leaving a foot massage salon across the road on Jalan Padma, a busy street in the heart of the Kuta tourist district.

"It caused quite a commotion. A lot people stopped and watched as they were taken away," said the man, who asked not to be identified, pointing to the pavement in front of the shop.

"I remember the boys looking confused and asked 'why', why were they being taken away."

The shopkeeper said the two youths were arrested by four plain clothes police intelligence officers who had been loitering outside his shop since 11am. There were another two plain clothes officers were down nearer the beach, where the alleged transaction is understood to have taken place.

"They did not search or asked the boys anything, they were just taken away," he said.

The account of the arrest, the first by an eyewitness, strongly indicates that someone who had seen the transaction, or the dealer, had tipped off police.

The witness described the two as "just average looking tourist boys". One of them was shirtless, he added, and each was led away by two officers.

It appears the other boy was let go by police, presumably because he was not allegedly in physical possession of the cannabis.

It is unknown whether the drug dealer was also apprehended by the Indonesian police, who are declining to provide details on the case because the schoolboy is a minor.

The account of the shopkeeper can't be independently verified as a result. But the location and timing of the arrests accords with information already provided by the schoolboy's first lawyer, Sursono.

The witness said the arrest was chaotic. The intelligence officers had initially arrested the wrong people, he said. "I remember they stopped some older tourists before, and they let them go after saying 'wrong guy'."

"Someone tried to video what happened using his mobile phone, one of the intels took the mobile and deleted the video before giving the mobile back".

It is unclear how much cannabis the boy was allegedly caught with, with reports ranging from 6.9 grams to 3.6 grams.

He is being held in a room away from adult prisoners at a Denpasar police station.

He spent a frightening first evening alone at the police station until his parents, with whom he had been holidaying, arrived the next morning.

Lawyer Muhammad Rifan said last night that the boy had been ''crying all day'' and refusing to eat. His parents were depressed and feeling helpless as the enormity of their predicament set in.

''Just like any other parents, they don't know what to do when their child faces this type of situation,'' he said.

Juveniles are typically treated leniently in Indonesia's courts but often get custodial sentences for drug offences. And as there is no juvenile court system, he would be likely to go to an adult prison if convicted.

Indonesian courts can commute sentences for drug crimes to a few months, or even waive jail time completely, but there must be evidence that the accused is a drug addict.

Mr Rifan said if the parents could provide evidence that they had sought treatment for their son in Australia for any addiction, he would probably get off. Otherwise, he could face jail time of six months to four years.

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has told Foreign Affairs officials to make the boy a priority.

Mr Rudd said the boy's parents were deeply distressed by their son's incarceration.

''I think if you put yourself in the position of being a mum or a dad with a 14-year-old who's got themselves caught up in this situation, you're heart would go out to the parents,'' Mr Rudd said.

''I have just spoken with our ambassador in Jakarta [Greg Moriarty] and I have indicated to him that his number one priority in the immediate period ahead is how we support this young boy and his family and do everything we can to obtain his early return to Australia.''

The boy is the youngest Australian to be arrested in Indonesia.

''Regrettably, we know the authorities in Denpasar too well through matters we have had to deal with over the years,'' Mr Rudd said.

''I'm not going to be in the business of providing public lectures from abroad on the nature of anyone else's legal regime.

''We respect those laws and we will work very closely with our friends and colleagues in Jakarta and Denpasar.''

The boy could be held at the police lock-up for up to a month while his alleged crime is investigated. If police decide they will proceed with the case, he will be formally charged and face court in Denpasar.

Mr Rifan refused to confirm whether the boy had admitted to buying the drugs.

Drug dealers frequent the throbbing tourist strip around Kuta, often whispering in the ears of passers-by.

It is not uncommon for dealers to then inform police if the buyer is a foreigner, sometimes snaring a lucrative payment for the information.

Bali's only under-age prison is a cell in Kerobokan, an already desperately overcrowded jail that is home to a diverse population of hardened criminals and small-time crooks.

Prisoners mix freely at Kerobokan, where the guards are vastly outnumbered by convicts.

There was a riot at the jail earlier this year, and several inmates are on death row, including Australian Bali nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.

Murderers and rapists, including infamous child rapist Mochamad Davis Suharto - also known as Codet or Scar - are doing time there as well.

Cannabis is considered a narcotic in Indonesia on a par with heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Mr Rifan would not confirm the teenager's name and urged media organisations not to publish it, saying it was illegal to do so in Indonesia.

Police also confirmed there would be no ''walk of shame'' in front of cameras for any under-age offenders.

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Oregon Coast Microbrewery Cleans Up at Australian Awards

Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

05/31/07

Oregon Coast Microbrewery Cleans Up at Australian Awards

(Pacific City, Oregon) - The seminal north Oregon coast landmark Pelican Pub and Brewery took 10 prizes in the 2007 Australian International Beer Awards recently: a complete sweep for the brewery after submitting 10 of their finest beers for this year’s competition. The awards were presented April 19, 2007 at an awards dinner, attended by over 500 guests, in Melbourne, Australia.

Over 900 beers were tasted at Australia ’s premier beer competition, which was started in 1987 to reward excellence in the field of brewing and to assist in the promotion of the brewing industry.

Arch Cape Property Services. Dozens of homes in that dreamy, rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the sea.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). http://www.archcaperentals.com/ 866-436-1607.

The Pelican Pub and Brewery’s award-winning beers include:

Gold - Kiwanda Cream Ale, in the Ales/Other Category

Gold - Doryman's Dark Ale in the Dark Ale category

Silver - India Pelican Ale, in the India Pale Ale category

Silver - Tsunami Stout in the Stout/Other Category

Silver – Stormwatcher’s Winterfest in the Scotch Ale and Barleywines category

Silver- MacPelican's Wee Heavy Scotch Ale in the Scotch Ale and Barleywines category

Silver - Bridal Ale in the Belgian and French Style Ales/Other Category

Silver – Grand Cru de Pelican in the Belgian and French Style Ales/Other Category

Silver - Saison du Pelican in the Belgian and French Style Ales/Saison Category

Bronze - MacPelican's Scottish-Style Ale in the Amber Ale category

Beach of Pacific City, looking south

A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com.

The Australian International Beer Awards is now the second largest annual professional beer competition in the world. It is held each year in Melbourne , and is Australia 's most prestigious beer event. This year's panel of judges sampled and evaluated over 941 entries from 189 breweries covering 39 countries. Information about the awards and this year's winners can be found at www.beerawards.com.

The Pelican Pub & Brewery is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is located in Pacific City on the beautiful Oregon Coast . Its oceanfront facility includes an outdoor patio and banquet room with unobstructed views of Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock. Named the "Large Brewpub of the Year" at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival, the Pelican Pub & Brewery creates such masterpieces as Kiwanda Cream Ale, India Pelican Ale, Tsunami Stout, and Doryman's Dark. Celebrating its 11th year, the Pelican Pub & Brewery has become a landmark in the Northwest for craft beer and fine food enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.PelicanBrewery.com or call 503-965-7007.

D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. http://www.dsandsmotel.com/. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925.

Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside

Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites, 1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people. Rent entire property for 20-26. Close to beach, river and Broadway St.
Suites are designed for two adults; vacation rental units for families. All units have kitchen and many have fireplace, deck and jetted tub. Comfy robes, slippers, luxury bath amenities, quality linens and more. 741 S. Downing St., Seaside. 800-738-6691. http://www.seasidesuites.com/

Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. http://www.getaway2thecoast.com/. 541-994-8778.

Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com

Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.atcannonbeach.com/.

The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.theoceanlodge.com/

STARFISH POINT Newport - Offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. Every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks. Friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. http://www.starfishpoint.com/

DIVE INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES

THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years a favorite of Seaside visitors. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bed family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. Oceanview cottages sleep anywhere from two to eight, w/ two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens. Heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds w/ picnic tables - all at quiet southern end of Seaside. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com.

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CONTACT BEACH CONNECTION

ASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history

SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches

CANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca

NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway

TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town

THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City

DEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whalesNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

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