Today's Headlines
Tuesday 2nd April 1996
International:
Australia faces a huge increase in the threat to human, animal and plant health and to the environment from the introdiction of serious
pests and diseases from overseas the Australian Academy of Science warned yesterday. The country's failure to implement key
recommendations of the 1987 quarantine review, increased travel and soaring imports of animal and plant materials had substantially
increased the risk of serious pest incursions they said.
Recent invasion by 19 alien inspect species, numerous weeds and seven livestock diseases (excluding mad cow disease) indicated
how exposed the country had now become.
Political:
Well, well, well, Pauline Hanson, the Independent member for Oxley
had the guts to stand up and say it now the new Federal Coalition have decided to do something about it. It is alleged that the Aboriginal
Legal Service (ALS) was doing the dirty on its own indigenous people. It is claimed that the fat cats in the ALS in New South Wales and
Victoria misappropriated funds, did not even turn up at cases to defend fellow Aboriginals who were held in custody and that their
actions contributed to Aboriginal deaths in custody. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Senator Heron, warned yesterday that the
investigation of the ALS might now be extended following similar complaints from all states.
Now we've got to remember that these ALS fat cats are the fellows who have been jumping up and down in front of the television cameras
with a rent-a-crowd mob carrying beautifully and expensively printed posters supporting their beef. The beef is always how badly the
Aborigines are being treated by the system. A touch of irony in there somewhere...
Business:
The mining giant, Normandy Group, have opened their doors to a merger with Newcrest Mining Ltd. If this was to eventuate the new
mining group, with a strong touch of Harry Oppoenheimer's influence, would become a major Au$5 billion mining house in the old
Anglo American tradition favoured by this South African billionaire.
Sport:
Now that Packer and Optus have done Rupert Murdoch and News Limited over well with the Super League fiasco they are now turning their attention
to Rupert's rugby union, Super 12 competition. It appears that they have a gripe here to and are about to take Rupert through the
Federal Court once again. No wonder News Limited shares have started to drift so badly in recent days.
I must say I find it a touch ironic with the reported Au$70 billion merger of
British Telecom and Cable and Television resulting in the same major shareholder owning both Foxtel and Optus. But big boys do
fight in even the best of families.
Social:
Australian workers are exchanging traditional office wear for comfy jeans and tracksuits according to the fashion pundits. This new
"casualisation" of the fashion industry has been spurred on, it is said, by similar trends overseas.
Personal trivia:
Well another busy day at the Global Office enjoying the beautiful weather and putting some finishing touches to the Norfolk Island node.
Looks like another beautiful day ahead of us.
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