RUDD RESIGNS

A shock announcement this afternoon - that KEVIN RUDD has resigned as Foreign Minister.

Mr RUDD called a media conference in Washington about about an hour ago, where he claimed Mr ABBOTT didn't have the experience to be Prime Minster, but was on track to win the next election regardless.

He's told SKY news, he'll return to Brisbane on Friday and will make a full statement on his future before parliament resumes on Monday.

Girl Bashed at Warrawong

Three people have been charged after a girl was bashed and left unconscious outside a Warrawong school in Cowper street on Monday.

Shortly after 3pm the 15-year-old was allegedly punched in the head by a woman several times, while being restrained by another teenager in the school car park.

TROY DAIGHTON from Police headquarters, says a boy who tried to help the girl was then also assaulted by the woman, before an older man punched the 15-year-old girl in the face, causing her to loose consciousness.

Elderly Man Bashed at Warrawong

An elderly man has been bashed not once, but twice in his home at WARRAWONG yesterday.

VANESSA ALLEN ERIKSON from Police headquarters says the victim has suffered bruising to much of his body.

She says the elderly man, thinking the bandits had left, went to his back door and was bashed to the ground a second time.

Anyone with information should contact police.

Energy Program Axed

There are claims household electricity disconnections will rise in the ILLAWARRA following the state government's decision to axe funding for a energy vouchers program.

Member for Wollongong NOREEN HAY, says the former Labor government set aside 55 million-dollars for the scheme in 2009, but the O'FARRELL government has now frozen the funding.

She says, those already struggling to pay their bills will be left with fewer options.

Beware Water Scam

Illawarra residents are being warned of phone scammers who are pushing water-purifiers.

 Fair Trading says cold-callers will try to trick residents into spending hundreds of dollars by telling them their tap water is harmful.

Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe says scammers prey on people's vulnerability and fears and anyone in the ILLAWARRA who receives a call is urged to contact Sydney Water or the police.