Gillard backs South Korea in phone hook-up

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has expressed solidarity with South Korea in a phone hook-up with President Park Geun-hye.

In the face of nuclear threats from North Korea, Ms Gillard spoke to Ms Park on Thursday, expressing Australia's concerns over the serious risk to regional security posed by the rogue state's posturing.

She emphasised the importance Australia placed on South Korea's security and promised to continue pressuring North Korea to put an end to its stance, and to engage in dialogue with its southern neighbour.

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has said he will make a personal appeal for China to persuade North Korea to "ratchet down" its behaviour.

The leaders' phone hook-up came as the US moved to protect military bases on Guam, an island about 3380km southeast of North Korea and home to 6000 American military personnel, submarines and bombers.

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SA backs wind farm developments

SOUTH Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has reaffirmed his government's support for wind energy and will seek a vote in parliament on Wednesday backing the renewable energy sector.

Mr Weatherill said recent suggestions of a moratorium on future wind farm developments was putting investment in the industry at risk.

"The government remains committed to providing ample opportunity for investment in wind energy in South Australia," the premier told state parliament on Tuesday.

"Every megawatt hour of wind energy cuts about one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions.

"Apart from the environmental benefits, wind farms also bring in vital investment to our state."

Mr Weatherill said South Australia had already attracted about $3 billion in wind energy investment, creating 842 direct jobs.

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Abbott backs senior Vic Liberals

FEDERAL Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has given his vote of confidence to key Liberals involved in the controversy plaguing the party's Victorian branch.

Mr Abbott said former premier Ted Baillieu did a good job, that he has confidence in the new Premier Denis Napthine and the party's state director Damien Mantach, who is under investigation by anti-corruption body IBAC, is a man of integrity.

"I know Damien Mantach well," Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne.

"He is a person of integrity. Let's see where this investigation goes. But he has my confidence."

Mr Abbott said he was confident Dr Napthine could provide strong and stable government until the state election in November next year.

He said he had supported Mr Baillieu right up to the time he left office, but his support now rests with Dr Napthine.

"Ted is a good man and he was a good premier but there's been an orderly transition from the outgoing to the incoming premier and now I support Denis Napthine," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott said he applauded Mr Baillieu for referring secret recordings of senior Liberal figures, including Mr Mantach, to the IBAC.

"The relevant watchdog will conduct its investigations and if any wrong doing has been done well obviously that will be exposed," Mr Abbott said.

"(Mr Baillieu) was acting to ensure that there is integrity in public life."

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Hockey backs tax cuts, family payments

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey says families can have tax cuts and payments without a carbon tax. Source: AAP

SHADOW treasurer Joe Hockey says a coalition government will be able to deliver tax cuts and welfare rises without the carbon tax, but details won't be released until at least 10 days into the election campaign.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on Tuesday told The Australian newspaper that despite the abolition of the carbon tax and the $15 billion in compensation over four years that comes with it, he was confident that "people will be better off under us".

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has used a government analysis to claim that families would be $2300 a year worse off under an Abbott government.

Mr Hockey told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday the coalition would not be releasing its tax and family payments policy until the release of the Pre-Election Fiscal Outlook by Treasury 10 days into the election campaign starting in August.

"Let me be very clear, if there is no carbon tax there is no need for compensation," he said.

"What we've said is families will be better off under the coalition."

"They would not have a carbon tax, there would be welfare payments to families and tax cuts based on levels without the carbon tax package."

Mr Hockey said the coalition had no faith in the government's budget numbers which had been "dead wrong" for the past five years.

He said the coalition would find savings in the federal budget to fully fund its promises.

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