Today's Headlines
Saturday 13th April 1996
International:
In just under 100 days Australia's biggest ever Olympic team will march with athletes from around the world in the opening ceremony of the
26th Olympic Games in Atlanta. Queensland athletes are expected to make up about a quarter of the 450 strong team. Nearly half
of that number will be represented by the formidable Australian swimming team.
Political:
The five Liberal/National Coalition States have united in their move to overhaul the Labor Party driven Native Title Act which has caused so
much confusion for miners and pasteuralists over the last few years. They said that the whole of Australia was finally waking up to
the problems created by the legislation passed after the High Court's decision on Mabo.
The Leaders forum also moved to:
- Create a national strategy to fight paedophilia.
- Seek more autonomy and guaranteed incomes for the states.
- Present a plan showing the Commonwealth how to cut its spending by ending duplication in areas such as health and housing.
- Ignore Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett's plea to cut business tax from 47% to 36%. Jeff stormed out 'not amused' 30 minutes early after his tax reform package was crushed.
Business:
South African mining tycoon, Harry Oppenheimer, is looming as a major stakeholder in one of Australia's mining giants, Sons of Gwalia.
The billionaire has grabbed 14.3% shareholding in Gasgoyne Gold Mines for about Au$22 million and is poised to accept Gwalia's all
script bid for the company.
Gwalia shares jumped 19 cents to Au$8.72 and Gasgoyne rose 12 cents to Au$2.87.
Sport:
In a bruising all Queensland encounter rugby league heavyweights the
Crushers and the Broncos played their hearts out last night. It was a particularly interesting combat because the Crushers had
represented the star team in the Australian Rugby League after the revolt by teams like the Broncos to Murdoch's Super League.
Both teams had something to prove but the Broncos did it best rolling over the Crushers with a 28-8 victory.
Social:
Married people are happier with their standard of living than their single counterparts according to a national survey. The 1995 Social Science
Survey, based on questionnaires sent to 2,338 people, also found levels of satisfaction within marriage were similar for men and women.
Reasons included combined incomes, economy of scale (two being able to live cheaper than on their own). Marriage also dramatically
improved the sense of well-being.
Personal trivia:
Fabulous day yesterday, the release of the Triumph International Japan on-line lingerie
site taking place. Beware, the site is in Japanese so unless your computer "talks Japanese" the text will look like machine language.
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