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Missing three-year-old found alive

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 12 April 2014 | 18.16

Chloe Campbell's mother says she's overjoyed after the three-year-oldturned up out of the blue in Childers overnight

CHLOE Campbell's mother has expressed joy at hugging her daughter for the first time this morning after the three-year-old was found alive and well overnight.

The Courier-Mail reported the Childers toddler was found by police when she "appeared" at the showgrounds, opposite the family home, just after midnight, calling out "mummy" as she crouched in the dark.

Abduction? ... Chloe was sleeping near an open window when she went missing. Source: Supplied

Tammy O'Donnell has visited her girl, who is undergoing checks at the Bundaberg Base Hospital and afterward addressed the media, saying she was "overjoyed".

"(I'm) over the world; there is no other word to really describe how I'm feeling, just overjoyed," said Ms O'Donnell as she grinned from ear to ear.

"Thank you to everyone, and everyone that called in to help bring Chloe home safe and happy."

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Missing three-year-old found alive

Ms O'Donnell said she raced from Childers to Bundaberg hospital as soon as she heard the news and then ran into her daughter's room to cuddle and hold her for the first time since Wednesday night.

"I was just in tears... I ran in the room basically. I didn't care if she woke up or not and then I just laid on the bed with her and gave her cuddles for a while and then we just came home to let everyone know," said the mum of four.

Search is over ... SES and police gather at the local showgrounds, where Chloe was reportedly found. Source: News Corp Australia

She said Chloe was aware of Tammy's presence in the hospital but too tired to remain awake.

"She opened her eyes a little bit and (said) 'mummy want to go home now' and passed out," said Ms O'Donnell.

READ THE FULL STORY FROM THE COURIER-MAIL

Rick O'Donnell cuddles daughter Tammy, mother of Chloe Campbell, 3, who was found near the Childers show ground overnight. Picture: Paul Beutel

"She's physically fine but really tired at the moment."

Chloe's older sisters Brittney, 6, and Janae, 7, were also ecstatic at the news.

"My eldest one broke into tears, burst into tears and the littlest one has the biggest smile on her face in the world," Ms O'Donnell said.

"They're both laying in bed awake just really happy knowing their sister's okay."

Ms O'Donnell said her daughter's return was an Easter gift that was much better than chocolate.

Distraught ... Chloe's mother, Tammy O'Donnell, phoned police when the three-year-old went missing on Thursday. Source: Supplied

Chloe Campbell: found safe this morning.

At around 2am, The Courier-Mail reported that Chloe Campbell, who was abducted from her Childers home on Thursday had been found alive.

Police confirmed the three-year-old "wandered home" near the Childers Showground about 1am and was taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital for a check-up.

Inspector Kev Guteridge this morning confirmed Chloe simply "appeared" at the showgrounds opposite the family home - where police have established their base - shortly after midnight.

"It's really amazing news. Shortly after midnight Chloe was located at the Childers showgrounds by police that were in attendance," he said.

"Chloe was examined by ambulance before being taken to the Bundaberg Base Hospital where she's been reunited with her mother.

"I'm very very happy to report Chloe is safe and well and in very good health."

The mother of Chloe Campbell, Tammy O 'Donnell, rushed to her daughter's side at the Bundaberg Base Hospital.

Inspector Guteridge said the dog squad immediately undertook a search of the area - which is ongoing - as friends suspected she was dropped there by her abductor.

He could not confirm if she was wearing the same clothes or carrying her favourite blue plush puppy or blanket.

Police State Crime Command officers are with Chloe and her parents Tammy O'Donnell and Garth Campbell at the hospital and will be hoping to interview the girl today.

"Obviously how she came to be at the showgrounds will be part of the investigation," Insp Guteridge said.

"The last couple of days our focus has been locating her and locating her safe and well.

"Now we will transition to the investigation phase and focus more on that, as to the circumstance of her disappearance."

Garth Campbell, father of Chloe Campbell, speaks to media at the Bundaberg Base Hospital shortly after his daughter was found by police. Photo Paul Beutel

"We're sincerely hoping to speak to Chloe and anyone that might have any information that can help us.

"As you can appreciate at the moment our whole focus is Chloe's well being.

"While we are happy to get her back we also have to make sure she's okay before we progress too much with her."

Inspector Guteridge said police were interested in any information that may assist in the investigation following rumours that the person or persons of interest may be close to the family.

"We are searching for any information. People out there will know things and we are encouraging them to come forward.

"There's a lot of rumour at the moment and certainly anyone that may have (information) should bring that to us so we can examine that thoroughly."

Chloe Campbell's mum Tammy O' Donnell and grandmother Heather Robertson before Chloe was found.

'Taken by a friend' ... Chloe's father Garth Campbell first suspected she had been taken by someone who knows the family. Source: Supplied

While he had not spoken to the mother Tammy, he said she would be thrilled.

"We obviously saw her yesterday she had been traumatised by this experience so to have her reunited with her baby is really a remarkable thing," he said.

Earlier, Chloe's mother Tammy O'Donnell drove to Bundaberg to see her daughter.

A close family friend Melissa Small this morning said Tammy and the family were overjoyed at the news.

"We had the call from the detectives and they said 'We've got Chloe and we're taking her to the Bundaberg Hospital, meet us there," said Ms Small.

Chloe Campbell, and parents Garth Campbell and Tammy O'Donnell.

"Within two seconds she was down in the driveway and taking off."

"We're just so happy. Thank you to everyone, the police, the SES the volunteers, absolutely everyone.

"This is such great news."

Ms Small said privately friends and family had been starting to fear the worst but Tammy had refused to give up hope.

"We didn't say anything but we were talking amongst ourselves and considering the worst possibilities because time was getting by."

Chloe's parents Tammy O'Donnell and Garth Campbell returned to the house they are staying at at 4.20am without their daughter, who will remain in hospital for a few more hours.

Chloe was discovered missing in her Childers home about 7am Thursday.

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported that security footage has emerged of two men and a young child walking about 200m from where Chloe Campbell disappeared in Childers.

A residential security camera captured the vision very early on Thursday, the morning the three-year-old is believed to have been abducted from her house.

As fears for Chloe's safety intensified yesterday, her inconsolable mother Tammy O'Donnell described her anguish at not properly locking the lounge room sliding window the night before.

The glass window was found open and Chloe missing about 7am on Thursday after she and two siblings fell asleep on a lounge room mattress.

Father believes Chloe taken by someone who knows the family

Rubbish tip scoured for missing child

Heartbroken mum makes tearful plea

Ms O'Donnell said she usually checked that all windows of the medium set house were clicked shut before retiring to bed.

"I shut the house up that night but I don't think, when I've closed it, I don't think it's clicked," Ms O'Donnell said.

"I think I just shut it and I usually check it before bed and I don't know why I didn't that night.

"I just think if I had have checked, she'd still be here."

The extensive search for any sign of the blonde toddler has expanded further around Childers as Ms O'Donnell said she did not believe her daughter was in the town but "further out".

Police will sift through the local tip where the family's and town's waste was dumped after collection on the morning of the little girl's disappearance.

Inspector Kev Guteridge said yesterday the team of police, SES and volunteers had not located anything by air or on land.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from town and following leads from the public.

Childers resident Les Fennell handed his own personal security footage to police after they requested he scan it for anything unusual.

Mr Fennell said he uncovered two men and a young child walking south by the railway line behind Pioneer Park, a travellers' resting park on the Bruce Highway.

The location on the northern end of town intersects Ridgway Street where Chloe went missing.

Mr Fennell said the child was walking about 15m ahead of the men as they passed behind a toilet block as dawn approached.

About twenty minutes later the men returned north in the direction they had come but without the child.

"What I saw was the council worker doing his work, and left. Then came two men and a child. It could have been for any reason and anyone's child," he said.

"The sun had just started coming up yesterday morning and it was about the same time the child was missing."

Mr Fennell said the child seemed to know the men as he or she appeared to be leading they way.

"She or he was very small," he said. "The child looked like it knew where it was going and the two men followed."

Mr Fennell said he compared that morning's discovery with footage from the previous four days but did not see the trio on any other day.

The footage, which was wavering between night vision and regular, was not clear enough to determine if the child was a girl or boy, whether it was carrying a toy or the ages of the men.

The discovery comes as Ms O'Donnell is convinced someone knows where Chloe is, pleading for made an emotional plea for them to be "honest enough" to return her.

"I'm hoping she comes home safe, it's all I've got at the moment is hope and hoping someone will be honest enough to bring her home," she sobbed.

"Have the guts to bring her home. They were gutsy enough to take her, now have the decency and the guts to being her home."

Overcome by grief and tears, Ms O'Donnell said she hadn't been able to eat or sleep as she lived out this nightmare.

She said the family usually lived a quiet life, revolving around school and home and did not have enemies.

Ms O'Donnell affirmed her husband's belief that whoever took the child was known to Chloe, and she was unlikely to have wandered.

"They carried her out while she's been asleep, she's obviously known them to not scream or yell out," she said.

"I'd just like to say if anyone out there had any info please come forward and can you please just please bring her home ... or just drop her somewhere and ring up ... she needs to be home with her family."


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rebels kill 12 in anti-election campaign

POLICE say Indian Maoist rebels killed 12 people in two separate attacks in the central state of Chhattisgarh as they continue a campaign of violence aimed at disrupting a five-week national election.

Police Director General A.N. Upadhyay says a land mine set by the rebels exploded Saturday and killed five election officials and two bus drivers travelling from Kutru to Bijapur before planned balloting there next week. The blast also injured four people.

In another attack, the rebels killed five paramilitary soldiers travelling in the remote Darbha Forest.

The rebels have also asked voters to boycott the polls. They have been fighting since the 1960s for a greater share of natural wealth and more jobs for the poor. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called them India's greatest internal security threat.


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

NT by-election win for Country Libs

THE Northern Territory's Country Liberals government has won back the seat of Blain, ensuring it won't have to govern from a minority position.

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Dutch prisons hit by prisoner shortage

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 11 April 2014 | 18.16

THE Dutch government is facing an unusual crisis: prison undercrowding.

There are now more guards and other prison staff than prisoners in the Netherlands for the first time, according to data released by the Justice Ministry on Friday.

Crime rates have fallen slightly in recent years, but aren't notably lower in the Netherlands than in neighbouring countries, and many Dutch people think sentences for violent offenders are too light.

In 2008, there were more than 15,000 inmates. As of March of this year, there were just 9710 remaining, compared with 9914 guards.

In the US, that figure is more like one staff member per five prisoners.

Justice Ministry spokesman Jochgem van Opstal says "we're studying what the reason for the decline is". The ministry is already carrying out prison closures.


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Roll confusion for Labor's Blain candidate

ON the Northern Territory electoral roll, Labor's candidate for the Blain by-election is listed as living at a property in the electorate, but his purchase of the property was only finalised this week.

Police officer Geoff Bahnert lives at a Bellamack address in Palmerston, within the Blain electorate, according to the NT electoral roll, but real estate agents told AAP the sale was only finalised on Wednesday.

Enrolments for Saturday's election closed on March 26, and under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, a person can only be enrolled to vote in a division if they have "a real place of living in the division".

In order to enrol to vote, voters must have lived at their address for at least one month.

For Mr Bahnert to be eligible to vote in Blain, he would have had to have lived at the Bellamack address since February 27 at the latest.

But the property was listed for sale in the Saturday editions of the NT News on March 1, 8, and 15, and listed as being under contract on March 22, before the sale was settled on April 9.

"I think you'll find (the by-election) caught everyone by surprise so I moved into the electorate from the time that the polls were called, so we're ready to go, we've moved in," Mr Bahnert told the Nine Network on Friday.

The April 12 election date was announced on March 8, which was still too late for Mr Bahnert to enrol as a Blain resident, according to the Act's one-month residence stipulation.

A Labor Party spokesman would not respond when asked by AAP where in Blain Mr Bahnert had been living, or for how long.

AAP was not permitted to speak directly with Mr Bahnert; however, the spokesman said any allegation that Mr Bahnert had acted improperly was wrong, and said the ALP had consulted a barrister.

"He lives in the electorate and he is entitled to vote there," he said.

The maximum penalty for making a false claim for enrolment is 12 months imprisonment.

Neither of Mr Bahnert's two key rivals in Saturday's by-election - the Country Liberals' Nathan Barrett and independent Matthew Cranitch - are enrolled to vote in Blain.


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Two Melbourne suburbs join millionaire row

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 10 April 2014 | 18.16

MELBOURNE'S million-dollar suburb club is not as exclusive as it used to be, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria has revealed.

Two more suburbs - Templestowe and Bentleigh - have achieved median house prices of more than $1 million in the first three months of this year.

This takes to 52 the number of million-dollar suburbs in Melbourne, he said.

Bentleigh's median house price is $1,050,000, up from $995,000 in the December quarter of 2013, while Templestowe's median price is $1,033,000, up from $964,000.

But REIV chief executive officer Enzo Raimondo says both have a long way to go to catch perennial median price leaders Toorak ($2,430,000, a surprising fall from $2,875,000 in the December quarter) and Kew ($1,944,000, up from $1,700,000).

"Fifteen suburbs had a median of more than $1.5 million and two topped the $2 million mark," he said.

"Surrey Hills was new to the list of $1.5 million-plus suburbs in Melbourne, with an 11.4 per cent rise in the past three months lifting the suburb to a median price of $1,551,000."

Melbourne's overall median house price is $652,500, up 3.7 per cent in the March quarter.

That growth is modest than the 5.3 per cent and 9.1 per cent growth from the December and September quarters respectively.

Some of the most affordable suburbs include Melton West, with a median house price of $290,000, and Cranbourne ($313,750). The median house price rose in both suburbs by 1.2 per cent since the December quarter.


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Cambodia, Nauru in talks on refugees

ASYLUM seekers on Nauru could find themselves in Cambodia if Australia seals a deal with the two countries.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has given the biggest hint so far at what is under discussion with Cambodia.

He says the Asian nation wouldn't process asylum seekers who have aimed for Australia but could resettle those found to be refugees.

"It is about a regional discussion on broadening the number of resettlement places," the minister told ABC TV on Thursday.

"This is about resettlement not processing. The processing is done in Nauru."

There would be three signatory countries to any deal: Nauru, Cambodia and Australia, he said.

Australia's offshore processing deal with Nauru doesn't require it to permanently resettle any refugees there, unlike the arrangement in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Morrison and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have separately visited Cambodia this year.

A Cambodian government spokesman told the Phnom Penh Post last Friday the country's foreign ministry may soon release details of their proposal.

It has been speculated the agreement could be worth $40 million and involve up to 100 refugees.

A team of human rights experts affiliated with the United Nations is trying to visit Nauru to inspect detention conditions, including for asylum seekers.

The UN working group had to cancel a visit planned for next week despite the Nauru government initially proposing those dates.

The government said it was no longer able to accommodate the visit "due to unforeseen circumstances", a spokesman for the group said on Thursday.

A Nauru government spokesman said on Wednesday the country had not invited the group to visit, had only learned of its intention via media reports and suspected it was "merely another publicity stunt by a group with a political agenda".


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alcoa posts 1Q loss on smelter shutdowns

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 09 April 2014 | 18.16

Alcoa has posted a first quarter loss of $A192.65 million due to lower aluminium prices. Source: AAP

ALCOA Inc. lost $US178 million ($A192.65 million) in the first quarter as revenue fell on lower aluminium prices, but profit beat expectations after excluding charges to idle capacity at aluminum smelters and mills.

The company said the price it was paid for aluminum dropped 8 per cent from a year ago. The weak commodity prices are driving Alcoa to shift away from smelting. It is closing a smelter in New York state and another in Australia and cutting capacity at others in Brazil.

When those moves are complete, Alcoa will have shed 28 per cent of its smelting capacity since 2007.

Instead, Alcoa is shifting its focus to selling more finished products for use in building aircraft, cars and other goods.

Its engineered-products division posted a record first quarter. Some of those products, like a new lightweight wheel for heavy-duty trucks, are designed to appeal to companies and consumers who are looking for lighter, fuel-efficient vehicles.

Alcoa predicts that demand for aluminum in aircraft will grow by 8 per cent or 9 per cent this year, with smaller increases for metal used in construction and cars. Overall global aluminum demand will grow 7 per cent this year, about the same as last year, the company says.

New York-based Alcoa said on Tuesday that the first-quarter loss was 16 US cents per share and compared with net income of $US149 million, or 13 cents per share, in the same period last year.

The company said that excluding write-downs to reduce smelting and milling capacity, it would have earned 9 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected an adjusted profit of 5 cents per share.

Revenue fell 6.5 per cent to $US5.45 billion, below analysts' forecast of $US5.57 billion.

Alcoa shares ended regular trading at $US12.53, up 6 cents. In less than an hour of late trading after the first-quarter results were announced, the shares were up 29 cents, or 2.3 per cent, to $US12.82.


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

GM to invest $449M in 2 Detroit factories

US carmaker General Motors will invest $A485.96 million in two Detroit-area factories. Source: AAP

GENERAL Motors says it's investing $US449 million ($A485.96 million) in two Detroit-area factories to build the next generation Chevrolet Volt hybrid electric car.

The company says the investment eventually will bring a second shift at the Detroit assembly plant that makes the Volt and other cars.

But it wouldn't say how many jobs would be added or when the people would be hired.

The plant now employs about 1600 on a single shift.

GM says it will invest $384 million at the assembly plant and another $65 million in a battery pack plant in nearby Brownstown Township.

The company didn't release any details on the next generation Volt.

The current version can go about 38 miles on battery power before a small gasoline generator kicks in.


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

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'Drug kingpin' extradited to Coast

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THE alleged kingpin of a massive drug operation smashed by Gold Coast police has landed in Queensland to face charges.

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DEPUTY Premier Jeff Seeney has defended Premier Campbell Newman, saying he has no case to answer over a $5000 donation scandal.

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Morcombe killer appeals conviction

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LAWYERS for Brett Cowan, the man convicted of Daniel Morcombe's murder, have filed a notice of appeal.

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18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Invest in Australia, PM to tell China

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 08 April 2014 | 18.16

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has outlined the benefits of what he says is a historic deal with Japan. Source: AAP

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott hopes to spur free trade talks with China this week by assuring investors they're welcome to do business in Australia.

Mr Abbott will depart for China on Wednesday, where he's expected to address the Boao Forum in Hainan before taking his trade message to Shanghai and Beijing.

The prime minister formalised Australia's free trade agreement with South Korea on Tuesday, a day after concluding long-running talks with Japan on a similar deal.

He's hoping to carry that momentum into the final leg of his North Asia trip, and will challenge any perception that Australia can be a risky place to do business.

"What I'll be wanting to reassure the Chinese government is that we are genuinely open for business," he told reporters in Seoul on Tuesday.

Under the FTAs signed with Korea and Japan, investors had to accept that any proposed farm buyouts over $15 million would be automatically scrutinised.

China reportedly doesn't like this clause, but Mr Abbott said many significant Chinese bids had been approved by the federal government.

He ambitiously promised at the election to secure free trade deals with the economic powerhouses of North Asia - Japan, South Korea and China - within a year.

With Japan and Korea out of the way, trade negotiators could now redouble their efforts on China.

But the prime minister said he wanted a good deal with China and wouldn't be drawn on when he expected talks to wrap up.

"Two out of three of these deals within seven months is pretty good progress," he said.

"We will do a deal with China if and when it is clearly in both our countries best interests to do so."

Mr Abbott will wrap up his visit to Seoul with a state dinner hosted by President Park Geun-hye.

The two leaders agreed in bilateral talks on Tuesday to deepen defence ties, and could consider developing links between Australian and Korean military technology companies.

North Korea, not surprisingly, was discussed at depth. Mr Abbott said Pyongyang was a threat to regional security and should be treated as a "rogue and outlaw state".

At the dinner, Mr Abbott will unveil a photo of President Park as a young girl with her father, a former Korean leader, and her mother planting a tree at Canberra's Korean embassy on her first overseas holiday.

The image is a moving tribute to her family legacy and the bilateral relationship, as both of President Park's parents were separately assassinated in political attacks.


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Post-mortem in unexplained Geldof death

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"THERE'S not a thing in the sky that's going to survive," boasts the US Navy as it unveils a rail gun that fires at seven times the speed of sound.

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18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Collombet murder suspect before Qld court

AN itinerant man extradited to Queensland following his arrest in northern NSW will face a Brisbane court accused of the bashing murder and rape of French student Sophie Louise Collombet.

The 21-year-old Griffith University business student was on her way home after a night class when attacked in south Brisbane on March 27.

Her battered and naked body was found at Kurilpa Park, at the edge of the city's busy South Bank precinct, the following morning by a jogger.

Benjamin James Milward was arrested by NSW police near a Coffs Harbour shopping centre shortly before 3pm (AEST) on Monday afternoon.

Brisbane homicide detectives were dispatched that evening, and an application for Milward's extradition to Queensland was approved by Coffs Harbour Local Court Magistrate Robert Walker on Tuesday morning.

Queensland Police said on Tuesday evening the 25-year-old had been charged with murder, rape, deprivation of liberty and robbery and would appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Milward's mother, Diane, on Tuesday visited the rotunda where Ms Collombet's body was found to pay her respects and lay flowers.

"I am heartbroken," she told News Corp Australia.

"We are all so sorry and sad and it shouldn't happen to anybody - and a beautiful girl like Sophie; she's just gorgeous, it's just wrong."

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart had earlier called Ms Collombet's father Guy Collombet to inform him of Milward's arrest.

"I spent some time on the phone with him. He was very dignified and grateful for the information," he told reporters.

A vigil in honour of Ms Collombet will be held in Brisbane's city centre on Thursday night to mark the two-week anniversary of her death.

Griffith University's Women's Association is helping organise the event.

"It was something important to organise to stand together to mourn her life and stand up against violence against women," spokeswoman Stephanie Kameric told AAP.


18.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Abbott breaks new ground in Japan

Written By Unknown on Senin, 07 April 2014 | 18.16

Federal Labor says the PM shouldn't sign up to a token trade agreement with Japan. Source: AAP

TONY Abbott will walk away from his first trip to Japan with a free trade agreement and a closer strategic partner in the region.

He and counterpart Shinzo Abe have confirmed an historic free trade deal between Australia and its second-largest trading partner after seven years of negotiations.

The prime minister is calling the achievement a milestone in the 60-year bilateral relationship that will foster even stronger future ties.

"I hope that thanks to this agreement that has been finalised today that Australia can be pivotal to ensuring that in the years and decades to come the people of Japan have energy security, resource security and food security," Mr Abbott told a bilateral meeting with Mr Abe on Monday evening.

It's expected they will ratify the agreement when Mr Abe visits Australia and addresses a joint-sitting of parliament in July.

The deal is a major coup for Mr Abbott, who wanted to finalise it as a matter of priority during his two-day visit to Tokyo.

Australian negotiators led by Trade Minister Andrew Robb worked around the clock in order to secure the agreement just moments before Mr Abbott was due to attend an private dinner at Mr Abe's residence on Sunday.

Trade officials say the final result is unprecedented, with Australian exporters tipped to gain significant advantages over competitors and preferential access to Japan's agriculture markets.

Australia's beef farmers are being touted as the big winners, with a reduction in tariffs set to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars for the sector.

The terms on beef aren't as generous as the South Korean FTA signed in December but given fierce resistance from Japanese farming groups to liberalised trade, the Abbott government is claiming victory.

Gains were made for dairy, horticulture and fruit and vegetable exporters, and Australian consumers should also notice a change.

Japanese whitegoods, electronics and cars will become cheaper in Australia, with about $1500 expected to be shaved off the price of an average vehicle.

Japanese investments will now only be referred to the Foreign Investment Review Board if proposals are worth more than $1 billion - up from $248 million.

It's the second trade deal clinched by the government since taking office and brings Mr Abbott a step closer to fulfilling his promise of signing deals with Japan, China and South Korea within a year.

But he's also broken new ground in defence, with both leaders agreeing they want to elevate the bilateral security relationship to a new "special" level.

They will restart the "2+2" meetings on defence co-operation, with their defence and foreign ministers to meet in Tokyo in June.

Mr Abbott also became the first foreign leader invited to address Japan's most senior security council.

It's not clear how these blatantly strategic outcomes will wash in Beijing or Seoul, given Mr Abbott arrived in Japan with a trade agenda.

But there was no question he was among friends in Tokyo, having been extended a rare private dinner invite with Mr Abe and an audience with the Japanese ruling monarch, Emperor Akihito.

He will leave Japan on Tuesday for a brief visit to South Korea before continuing to China.

Labor has welcomed the completion of negotiations but pledged to scrutinise the agreement closely to ensure it is in Australia's national interest.


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Shot man charged for withholding info

A witness heard screams before finding a bloodied man after a double shooting in Sydney. Source: AAP

A MAN gunned down alongside his father in an inner-Sydney street has been charged with concealing information from police.

Josh Smart, 23, was shot in the back and his 59-year-old father Michael Smart was shot in the head on a Pyrmont street on Sunday night in what police believe was a targeted attack.

Michael Smart remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Both men were known to police.

On Monday afternoon, Josh Smart was released from hospital into the custody of police, who charged him with concealing a serious indictable offence.

Bail was refused and he was scheduled to appear before Sydney's Central Local Court on Tuesday.

Ashlie Lomas, who along with other witnesses rendered first aid to Michael Smart, said he was lying on the ground when she came out onto the street.

"We were just trying to get him to hold on," she said.

Police have said that it the incident was not thought to be gang related and investigators believe there was only one shooter.


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