Today's Headlines
Sunday 31st March 1996
International:
Hollywood actor Kevin Costner yesterday bought a Sydney mansion for almost Au$4 million. The Waterworld star is understood to be the
first secret buyer of the five story Bellevue Hill house which has been described as one of Sydney's finest mansions.
Costner inspected several Sydney properties on a visit in January including a sprawling Au$7 million beachfront home.
Political:
Well Jeff Kennett romped home in the Victorian state election yesterday. After 70% of the vote had been counted last night the Liberal
Party had attracted 53.9% of the vote. Labor's net gain was 2 seats - a long way short of the 18 it required to win back government on that state.
The state of the Labor party in Australia is now pretty worrying. They have only a handful of seats in the Federal Parliament, and only
control government in New South Wales at a state level. All the other states are now Liberal/National Party trophies.
Business:
A Queensland vegetarian meat alternative manufacturer is hoping to capitalise on the mad cow disease scare in Britain with a new beef
substitute product. The company, Longa Life Vegetarian Products, based in Yatala South of Brisbane is expecting its exports to Britain to
rise dramatically. Vegeburgers have become a popular alternative in Britain since the mad cow disease scare stated.
Yesterday I met with a veterinarian whose views were that the mad cow disease scare is a total media blow out. He said that there have
only been 17 reported cases of CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) and that none had been scientifically linked with mad cow disease.
The veterinarian, Tony Wood, is the world's most experienced koala doctor, who treats hundreds of koalas each year at the
Moggill Koala Hospital.
Sport:
For the second time in a row Australian golfer Greg Norman has missed the cut. He recently bowed out of the prestigious US Player's
Championship after a mediocre second round in Jacksonville, Florida. Then he scored a one over 73 to once again miss the cut by 3 shots at the
Sawgrass TPC. Not a good showing for the world's number one golfer.
Social:
From tomorrow Australian immigrants will have to wait two years before being eligible for welfare benefits. Immigration Minister
Philip Ruddock said yesterday the scheme will stop migrants who cannot support themselves coming to Australia and encourage more
skilled people to become residents. The move will save the Federal Government more than Au$600 million over the next 3 years.
Personal trivia:
The family went and visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary yesterday. The
sanctuary is absolutely fabulous, housing over 130 koalas. Later in the day, as mentioned earlier, we met Tony Wood and his 3 delightful
sons. Tony is recognised as the world's most experienced koala doctor having treated thousands of koalas over the years.
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