Friday 13th March 1998

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Recent stories exclusive to  (how to) subscribe/rs of the Australian National News of the Day:

One Nation, the First Year 12th March 1998
Pauline Hanson tackles the MAI in Parliament while the media re-writes history 10th March 1998
Feature: How did the Hanson phenomenon start? 8th March 1998
Presentation on "the level playing field" that ain't 7th March 1998
B A Santa Maria on Australia pre- and post- Hawke. 6th March 1998
Lateline report on the MAI - 80% of Australia's economic activity is controlled by multinationals. 5th March

Current topical links (available to all readers):
[Links to the MAI] [Queensland One Nation State Election website]
[Sign the "I'm so sorry Pauline" book]
Archive of weekly features (available to all readers):
[The Canberra Column] [Economic Rationalism]

Today's Headlines
an Aussie's viewpoint on Australia's first daily Internet newspaper.
Since October 1995

One Nation candidate dies in plane crash:

Lynette Pamela Johnson, the One Nation federal candidate for Moreton died late yesterday afternoon when the Lancer Air two seater plane she was piloting crashed just north of Bundaberg.

Mrs Johnson radioed for help at about 1.50pm saying that her plane had lost oil pressure and that she was trying to land on a road south of Gladstone. The bodies of Mrs Johnson and the male passenger were found last night. The trouble began soon after Mrs Johnson had left Rockhampton airport.

Friend and fellow pilot Barry Hemple said, "I cannot believe it happened to a highly skilled pilot and highly maintained plane."

Mrs Johnson came from Sunnybank. Our sympathies extend to her husband Ross and family.

Hanson's Sydney Itinerary:

Here is an excellent opportunity for Pauline Hanson supporters in New South Wales to come meet and hear Australia’s best known politician.

Pauline Hanson will be speaking on the failures of successive governments, the dangers facing Australians and the urgent need for our country to change direction and once again prioritise the needs of our people.

Tickets will be sold at the door at most venues.
Enquiries should be directed to One Nation Manly office - (02) 9976 0283

Her Sydney itinerary:

Today (13th March 1998)
Speaking on the Midday Show (complete transcript).
7.30pm Public meeting at AJC Club in Allison Road, Randwick

Tomorrow (Saturday 14th March)
12 noon - Hawkesbury Sportsman’s Club, Beaumont Ave North Richmond. (NOTE: This is a luncheon also featuring 2GB Radio personality Brian Wiltshire)
7.30pm - Joan Sutherland Centre, High Str., Penrith

Sunday 15th March
2pm - Cessnock Town Hall, Darwin Street, Cessnock
7.30pm - Dural Country Club, 662 Old Northern Road, DURAL

Monday 16th March
7.30pm Manly Warringah Leagues Club, Pittwater Road, Brookvale

Tuesday 17th March
7.30pm Wyong Multi-Function centre, Healey Str, Wyong

Pauline Hanson question censored by new Speaker of the House

In a disgusting display of unparliamentary ethic the new speaker of the lower house, Ian Sinclair, censored Pauline Hanson when she attempted to raise a question during questions without notice yesterday.

Extracted from Hansard: Indonesia

Ms Hanson - My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

With Indonesia on the verge of financial and social collapse and Suharto refusing to cooperate with the IMF, many Australian have concerns for the impact on our country.

Mr Speaker - The honourable member will ask her question and not give us an explanation of foreign policy. Would you please ask your question?

Ms Hanson - In particular there have been many radio and newspaper reports on the possibility ...

Mr Speaker - The honourable member will direct her question.

Ms Hanson - It is all part of the question Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker - I would suggest you come to the point of your question. Up until now it has nothing to do with the minister.

(Honourable members interjecting....)

Mr Speaker - the honourable member will direct her question. You have got to direct your question and not provide a long diatribe before we get to the meat of the sandwich, if you would like to put it that way.

Ms Hanson - I have no problem with that, as long as I am treated the same as everyone else in this house on questions.

Mr Speaker - The honourable member will either ask her question or resume her seat.

Ms Hanson - What precautions has the government taken in order to deal with the possibility of intrusion of unprecedented numbers and its impact on Australia.... (At this point Ms Hanson’s microphone was switched off by the Speaker).

Opposition members interject....

Mr Speaker - Honourable members of the opposition will remain silent. The minister has the call.

Mr Ruddock responds to the part of Hanson’s question allowed by the Speaker...

The action by the Speaker has brought the lower house into disrepute. How can a member represent the Australian people when she cannot string more than one sentence together without the speaker interrupting her?

If this is the manner in which Pauline Hanson is to be treated by Ian Sinclair in future it will further undermine Australians confidence in the way in which this country is run.

On the right is an extract from yesterday's Australian Hansard which shows that the Australian Labor Party's Stephen Smith, asking a typical question was able to address the same format as Pauline Hanson without any interference from the Speaker.

The son of MAI raises its ugly head:

A new commission established by the European Union and US is setting out nine requirements for the New Transatlantic Marketplace (NTM). Look at point 6 - which accepts that the MAI is fait accompli.

The NTM should :

1. address the real barriers to EU-US trade and investment;
2. bring economic benefit to the EU and the US commensurate with the effort involved;
3. not damage, but promote EU and US objectives in the future multilateral negotiations within the WTO, to which we are committed;
4. not lead to the creation of new trade obstacles to third countries or reduce their access to EU and US markets. Nor should it weaken their support for multilateral liberalization;
5. be ambitious, capture political interest, but be technically achievable;
6. be consistent with and should not jeopardize the agreed multilateral rules of the WTO and other international fora (e.g. OECD, WIPO etc.);
7. serve to enhance the broader political relationship between the EU and the US;
8. benefit consumers and should preserve our high level of protection for health, safety, consumers and the environment;
9. not impede the further development of the Community acquis (EU law and practice).

Suharto Issues Call for Unity

Extract from the Washington Post:
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 11—President Suharto began a seventh five-year term today with a sombre call for national unity and collective austerity, as thousands of students staged their biggest and most fiery anti-government protest since the economic crisis began eight months ago.

"As a nation, we must tighten our belts," he declared in his inaugural speech.

"As an individual, as a group, some of us may lead an affluent life," he acknowledged. "But, as a nation, we can no longer afford to lead an extravagant life. During the present hardship, we need precisely a stronger solidarity, a sense of sharing the same fate and destiny."

Indonesia is in the midst of its worst economic and political crisis since Suharto came to power 32 years ago. The local currency, the rupiah, has lost 70 percent of its value since last July, there is mounting unemployment, inflation and a plethora of other problems.

Suharto has been granted extra powers to snuff out popular protest

Tonight: President Suharto has given the IMF a dilemma The International Monetary Fund has softened its position in the war of words with Indonesia. The organisation said it was prepared to be flexible in the terms of its $43bn economic reform programme because of humanitarian concerns.

The IMF deputy managing director, Stanley Fischer, said the Fund was mindful of potential tragic consequences from Indonesia's problems. An Indonesian delegation is due in Washington next week for crucial talks with the Fund.

The IMF has postponed paying more than $2bn urgently needed emergency aid to Indonesia because of its failure to implement sweeping structural economic reforms.

Correspondents say many fear withholding the money could fuel major civil unrest as food prices spiral upwards. There have already been a number of riots and anti-government demonstrations.

Political:

Parer pulling a Keating?

The family trust of Warwick Parer has coal shares which increased in value from about Au$200,000 to Au$2,000,000 in his first year in his role as Resources Minister it was revealed yesterday.

In an obvious conflict of interest expressed by opposition leader Kim Beazley thus, "Your coal minister owns Au$2 million worth of coal shares and... as far as you're concerned that's not a conflict of interest apparent, real or actual".. John Howard stood fast refusing to fire the man.

The issue smacks of Paul Keating and his ugly legacy now known as "DanPork".

You say:

Subject: Hi

I have been watching Question Time - the Speaker treated Mrs Hanson deplorably. This is not the first time. I probably won't vote for the good lady, but I am a democrat and democrats respect the right of others to air their views.

There again, I may vote for her - seeing as Beazley and Howard are pretty bloody ordinary (that's being polite!).

Dick

Business:

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another perfect day in paradise.

Cooler overnight with the first time  this year that I have had to wear a t-shirt while preparing the news of the day.

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