Sunday 11th August 1996
The reports of life on Mars has been received with mild curiosity and some scepticism by mainstream church leaders in Australia... and of course there are always answers in case it is for real!
Anglican church spokesman Archdeacon Jeff Roper said that the possibility of life on other planets did not create any theological difficulties.
Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby said that the discovery did not undermine the Catholic faith in any way.
"We regard God as Lord of the Universe, not just of Earth," he said.
There you go Bill, you need some of these straight shooters in your panel... that should cook up a real storm amongst the self-opiniated experts...
Senator Vanstone, it has been revealed, is one of several ministers who obtained degrees in the 1970s and 1980s after the Whitlam government abolished University fees.
A spokesman for Senator Vanstone confirmed that the minister's arts-law degree from Adelaide University, where she graduated in the early 1980s after studying part-time, had been free.
National Union of Students president Lori Faraone said that Senator Vnstone was hypocritical.
"She benefited from a free public education and yet she now expects some students to pay Au$22,000 for the same degree that she's got."
There is logic in the arguement but I'm sure that Vanstone will be able to overlook that little hiccup in her case for fees. Not a case of what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
The situation painted a bleak picture for workers unprepared for a change with a lot of training and productivity programs being dropped in favour of restructuring.
Outplacement and recruitment industry experts say that banking and finance followed by manufacturing, electricity, water and gas will feel the brunt of the wave of downsizing continuing to sweep across Australia.
"Banking is moving towards automation in every way," said Bob Critchley, managing director of Australia's largest outplacement agency DBM, "the sector is facing slowing demand from the housing sector, business is not investing as heavily and it is coupled with a great increase in competition from mortgage lenders."
Now the outraged and verboise Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) staff, suffering cuts of Au$66 million, haven't squealed in their news reports on behalf of those in the finance industry through their radio and television media have they? Oh NO!!!!
Get real ABC, (Furphy) I thought that was what the media were supposed to be all about - fair and balanced reporting!
In his book he recalls an incident where the Sri Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga said, "You'll take your life in your hands when you visit our country." This was said to Craig McDermott the Australian fast bowler in Perth last January after he collided with the fiery Sri Lankan captain.
McDermott was incensed and reported the statement to the match officials. When questioned about his comments Arjuna later said, "All I said was that you take your wife in your hands when you visit my country," which Healy summises is a strange comment to make during a mid-pitch quarrel!
The Australian Cricket Board refused to visit Sri-Lanka during the World Cup in March this year after a bomb blast killed 86 people in Colombo.