Today's Headlines
Tuesday 18th June 1996
International:
Queensland State treasurer, Joan Sheldon, flew to Tokyo last night to encourage Japanese investment as ratings agency Standard
and Poor's reaffirmed Queensland's AAA rating. Mrs Sheldon is leading a Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) delegation
on a 7 day mission during which 13 major institutions will be urged to buy the corporation's script.
The QTC has about Au$4.5 billion on issue in script and bonds.
Political:
A National Party politician, Bill O'Chee, has warned his federal coalition partners in the Liberal Party that he and other National
Party senators will walk across the floor of the house to vote with the opposition if the Howard Government attempts to bring in
changes to the diesel fuel rebate in August.
Senator O'Chee called the diesel fuel rebate "a line in the sand". Moves to abolish the Au$1.3 billion diesel fuel rebate as part of
the government's search for Au$8 billion in spending cuts over the next three years have angered National Party members - who
represent a high percentage of the rural areas of Australia.
Business:
Looks like the banks are set to move their attention to bank fees following the forced cuts to their mortgage rates. The cuts were
forced by non-bank institutions taking away their business in the home loan market because of cheaper loans.
The banks, ever concerned about their profitability, have now turned their attention onto the savings and cheque accounts of Mums and
Dads - an area where they do not have such strong competition.
One would think that building society shares must be a good bet right now one!
Sport:
The blues made it three in a row in the final of the State of Origin Australian Rugby League series last night. The Queensland team,
the maroons, were outplayed and just could not break through the blues (New South Wales) defence.
The match was played at the Suncorp stadium in Queensland attracting a crowd of 38,217 people - just 2,000 short of capacity.
The final score was close with the blues winning 15-14.
Social:
Member for Parliament, Pauline Hanson has revealed that there are a large number of "Aboriginal Australians" of questionable
heritage. Her office has researched the Aboriginal figures - only to find that since 1971 there has been a 129% increase in the
number of Aboriginals.
She is alleging that the sudden increase is due to the number of people who are getting onto the "gravy train" of grants and
benefits dished out by government to Aborigines.
Cold over night, but a perfect blue sky overhead and a warm day will follow. Very successful day in Brisbane or "the big smoke"
yesterday picking up two new large clients.
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