Thursday 27th February 1997
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Issues - The banking system under the spotlight. The letter asked the hospital to outline "the financial implications" of moving critically-ill patients to the hospital at any time of the day or night.
The letter was written by a Dr P Van Rooyen described as the medical officer in Port Moresby. The Queensland State Health Minister, Mike Horan, responded by suggesting that such a request should be made through the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
A Sandline spokesman in London last night said that the letter referred to possible casualties during training by Executive Outcomes of the PNG troops.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer yesterday asked the PNG High Commissioner Kenneth Noga "to please explain" the planned deployment of mercenaries in Bougainville.
In another twist to the developing diplomatic row brewing, two US based F16 jet fighters yesterday landed in Port M
Several National Party sources confirmed that there was growing tension in the party ranks with Fischer's failure to take a firm stand over the Wik issue. Fischer said in response that his critics were "wandering up a dry gully" and that he had publicly backed a call for legislation to be changed.
Fischer's critics have been saying that he has not been "arguing hard enough" to get the native title legislation changed.
In a case of "documents falling off the back of a truck" the independent Senator Mal Colston (currently under fire for alleged misuse of travelling expenses) revealed in a letter that he supports the move to extinguish native title rights over leased land - Colston holds the balance of power in the Senate.
Colston, it is claimed, flew between Brisbane and Coolangatta airport in Queensland while his chauffeur, driving a Comcar, rushed 105km down the Pacific Highway after dropping him off at Brisbane airport to collect him at the Coolangatta domestic airport before driving him to his electorate office between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. By taking this action Colston was able to claim addition travelling expenses.
Extensive political commentary and links can be found on Palmer's Australian Politics page.
Senior News executives ruled out the possible sale of the major Australian newspapers like the Herald Sun, the Courier Mail and The Australian.
This follows News Corps release of its deal with EchoStar yesterday.
The Optus Vision case continued in the New South Wales supreme court yesterday with
Seven Network Limited claiming that they had not seriously considered a deal with News Corps' Foxtel before signing a joint venture agreement with Optus Vision in 1995.
Seven deputy chairman, Peter Richie, was asked about their relationship with Foxtel by Jeffrey Sher QC, counsel for Optus Vision.
Mr Sher: "Do you remember anyone saying anything to the effect that the real nail in the Foxtel coffin was their programming costs?"
Mr Ritchie: "I don't recall anybody making that particular statement but it is possible someone did. We thought their programming costs were excessive, yes."
The case for Optus Vision ownership continues today.
Interesting that action only started to really be taken by the local authority and the police after "I blew the whistle" to the local media.. about the environmental vandalism taking place opposite our home on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Have a great day.
Political:
Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer faces new leadership pressure over native title in the lead up to a crucial meeting of his National Party federal executive this Saturday.Business:
News Corporation plans to sell off about Au$1 billion in assets but their Australian based newspapers are not part of the deal.Global Gripe of the day:
Who is to blame - the perpetrators or the bureaucracy?Personal trivia, from the global office:
A bit cooler today with intermittent light showers. Another day to be spent in the big smoke.
Keep the flame of independent thought in Australia on the Internet - view Media Watch Interactive.
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