Drugs seized at Melbourne music festival

THIRTEEN people have been arrested for drug possession at a music festival in Melbourne's CBD.

A significant amount of MDMA, with a street value of $10,000, was confiscated by police at the Listen Out festival on Saturday.

Police also seized ecstasy, amphetamines, cocaine and prescription drugs during a sniffer dog operation at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

A 28-year-old Brighton man was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and has been bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Twelve other people received drug diversions.

Senior Sergeant Mark Pilkington said the operation aimed to stop people before they brought drugs into the event.

"It continues to concern us that, despite the dangers, young people risk their health by using illegal substances," he said.

"These drugs are extremely dangerous. They are manufactured by criminals and users have no way of knowing what they're actually ingesting or the real risks involved."

The festival, formerly known as Parklife, saw 46 people arrested last year for possessing drugs.

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Navy fireworks light up Sydney sky

Prince Harry has arrived at Sydney's Garden Island Naval Base for the International Fleet Review. Source: AAP

A DAZZLING fireworks display has closed a huge day of navy celebrations on Sydney Harbour, including a whirlwind visit by Prince Harry on his first official visit to Australia.

The harbour exploded in a kaleidoscope of colour at 7.40pm (AEST) on Saturday as fireworks launched from seven illuminated warships mesmerised thousands of onlookers on the foreshore.

The show marked the end of the biggest day of the eight-day International Fleet Review, which marks 100 years since the Royal Australian Navy fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour.

In a 30-minute extravaganza, red, gold, blue, and green crackers lit the night sky, cascaded from the Harbour bridge, and even floated on the water around a navy submarine.

The display, which used more than seven tonnes of fireworks, even featured plane-shaped fireworks specially designed for the event.

Accompanying the glittering display were huge projections on the Opera House that told the story of the RAN's 100 year history.

A soundtrack of classical, rock and high-energy electro pumped throughout the show, which also featured huge searchlights, and renditions of the Australian national anthem and the Last Post.

Keith Bowman, who camped out at Mrs Macquarie's Chair from 5am to nab a prime spot, said the show was "better than any New Year's Eve".

"The narrative that went with it was really good, really fitting, I liked the whole lot of it," the Gosford local told AAP.

Earlier, thousands jostled to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry, with the fourth-in-line to the British throne also visiting for the Fleet Review.

After being welcomed on the harbour by a 100-gun salute, Harry, dressed in a white tropical dress uniform of the British Army and a blue Army Air Corps beret, spent a few hours on board HMAS Leeuwin inspecting the warship fleet, alongside Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

The prince's appearance on the harbour coincided with a dazzling display by navy aircraft and helicopters, thrilling spectators lining the foreshore.

Back on land, Harry donned a crisp navy-coloured suit, blue tie and white shirt to make a surprise appearance at The Rocks, shaking hands and saying hello to hundreds who were hugging the barricades in an effort to see him.

From there, the prince took a boat to Kirribilli House, where he was greeted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, his wife Margie and daughters Bridget and Frances.

They posed for official photographs and walked through the gardens before greeting a crowd that had gathered at the gates of the prime minister's Sydney residence.

"What do you think of your new neighbour?" Harry asked one of the locals, referring to the newly-elected Mr Abbott.

Inside, the prime minister reflected on the special day, joking that Prince Harry appealed to even those Australians who aren't royalists.

"Prince Harry, I regret to say not every Australian is a monarchist," he said.

"But today everyone feels like a monarchist."

The prince is due to leave Sydney for Perth on Sunday morning for the next leg of his Aussie tour.

The Fleet Review runs until October 11.

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Four hikers found in Tasmania

FOUR hikers have been found after a search and rescue was held in Tasmania's south.

The group, which included three teenagers, had been walking since Saturday morning (AEST) and became lost on the Snug Tiers track near Pelverata Falls.

A search and rescue team from Tasmania Police found the party and they were transported via helicopter.

The group is being checked by ambulance personnel but there are no injuries.

A dog was also rescued in the party.

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Vic driver stands on roof of moving car

THE driver of a car that had five passengers inside climbed out the window and stood on the roof of his moving car on a major Melbourne freeway, police allege.

Other motorists reported seeing two rear passengers dangling their legs out the windows of the vehicle about 5pm (AEST) on Saturday.

The car was travelling east between Hoddle Street and Burke Road on the Eastern Freeway.

Four men were later arrested by police at a hotel in Croydon. A 22-year-old Mooroolbark man was charged with conduct endangering life and driving in a dangerous manner.

He was bailed by police to appear at the Ringwood Magistrates Court on January 31. Officers also impounded a blue Holden sedan for 30 days.

A 23-year-old Croydon man was released pending summons while two other men, a 19-year-old Heathmont man and a 21-year-old Millgrove man, are assisting police with their enquires.

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NSW trail bike rider hits tree, dies

A TRAIL bike rider has been killed after hitting a tree south of Newcastle in NSW.

The man, 21, was riding in bushland at Freemans Waterhole when he lost control of the bike and smashed into a tree about 2.15pm (AEST) on Saturday, police say.

Police did CPR on the man, from Beresfield in Newcastle, but he died at the scene.

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Planned Qld coal ports in doubt

Plants to build two central Queensland coal ports are in doubt due to a downturn in the coal market. Source: AAP

PLANS to build two central Queensland coal ports are in doubt due to a downturn in the coal market.

However, proponents of the ports, at Dudgeon Point near Mackay and Port Alma at the mouth of the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton, say the plans will go ahead if the market recovers.

Both projects are still seeking government approvals.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation, which is developing Dudgeon Point along with Indian coal giant Adani, says progress is continuing "but at a slower pace".

"The Environmental Impact Statement for the project is currently paused," a statement from the firm said.

"The coal market is down as is the current appetite for investment in infrastructure of this type."

Bulk Ports said they will continue finalising environmental studies as the firm doesn't want to be caught out if the market improves.

The port will have the capacity to export up to 180 million tonnes of coal each year.

Peter MacTaggart of Mitchell Ports, which is developing Port Alma, told News Corp Australia the project won't go ahead until demand increased.

"At the moment our customers are telling us that their priority is cutting costs rather than expanding, and we won't be going ahead until there's the demand for it."

Once completed, up to 22 million tonnes of coal per year would be exported from the port.

Environmental groups are calling on Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt to stop all mega-ports along the Queensland coast.

Of particular concern is the Port Alma project as it would be built on the pristine Fitzroy River Delta, the largest estuarine ecosystem feeding into the reef.

"We're calling on the Australian and Queensland governments to work together and rule out this totally unnecessary development once and for all," WWF spokesperson Richard Leck said.

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Keysar Trad to launch love poetry book

Muslim community spokesman and polygamy supporter Keysar Trad is releasing a book of love poetry. Source: AAP

OUTSPOKEN Muslim community spokesman Keysar Trad is making a foray into the literary world, releasing a book of love poems.

Mr Trad, who has previously said polygamy should be recognised, will launch his book Forays of the Heart at Glebe, in Sydney's inner-west, on Sunday.

The poems are described as "paeans of unrequited love directed at women other than his wife".

The well-known Australian Muslim said the poetry was written in a "sense of fantastical lyrical compulsion".

"I felt the need to share them so that others can benefit from these journeys," Mr Trad said.

The book is due to be launched by Liberal MP Philip Ruddock.

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GrainCorp decision due in December

The government will decide on the takeover of Australia's largest grain handler by December 17. Source: AAP

TREASURER Joe Hockey has given the new federal government more time to consider the implications of a takeover of Australia's largest grains handler, GrainCorp.

A decision on a $3.4 billion offer from US grain giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) will now be made by December 17, Mr Hockey said.

"Given the size of this transaction and the complex nature of the issues involved, I have decided to extend the statutory time period," he said.

"This will allow sufficient time for the new government to carefully consider all the relevant issues and advice from the Foreign Investment Review Board before making a decision."

The Nationals are opposed to the sale, as it would mean ADM, Cargill and Glencore would control almost 60 per cent of Australia's wheat shipments and put most of the nation's grain export infrastructure in foreign hands.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said in June it would not oppose the $3.4 billion takeover.

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Doctors fined for underpaying receptionist

A SYDNEY medical practice and its directors have been fined more than $120,000 for discriminating against a receptionist because of her disability.

The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against the company running the centre and its directors for underpaying a young, vision-impaired worker by more than $20,000.

The Federal Circuit Court on Friday imposed a fine of $88,870 against Rocky Holdings Pty Ltd, which operates the practice in Liverpool, in Sydney's southwest.

The court also fined two directors, brothers Dr Ahmed Mohamed and Dr Ismail Mohamed, $17,410 each.

The employee was aged between 18 and 21 at the time and suffers a disability affecting her vision - retina detachment, cataracts and high pressure.

She was a patient of Dr Ismail Mohamed when he offered her work at the practice in December 2009.

She was required to do more than a month of unpaid training before being paid a flat rate of $7 to $8 an hour between 2010 and 2012.

The employee was entitled to more than $10 an hour for normal hours and more than $17 an hour for some weekend, public holiday and overtime work.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said the penalty sent a strong message to employers that discrimination in the workplace would not be tolerated.

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PR guru Clifford denies child sex charges

CELEBRITY British publicist Max Clifford says his "nightmare continues" after appearing in a London court to deny a string of historical indecent assaults.

The 70-year-old faces 11 counts relating to seven alleged female victims between 1966 and 1984.

Clifford denied all charges. Speaking outside Southwark Crown Court after the hearing, Clifford repeated that he was innocent.

"The nightmare continues, it has done since last December," he said.

"It is a nightmare for myself and everyone close to me. I am totally innocent.

"Next March (the date of Clifford's trial), as long as the truth comes out, it will be fine and I can get back to a normal life."

Clifford, famed for representing celebrities including Simon Cowell and Jade Goody, spoke only to confirm his name and to enter not-guilty pleas to the charges during the 40-minute hearing.

He was released on bail until his trial next March, which is expected to last for up to five weeks.

Clifford, who was arrested last December and charged in April, was released on conditional bail and told he must live at his home address.

Judge Anthony Leonard told Clifford that he is not allowed to contact prosecution witnesses.

"I'm OK," Clifford told reporters before heading into court for the hearing.

"Obviously I am totally innocent of these charges from seven ladies."

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