Australia News Wednesday, 22 Feb. & Thursday, 23 Feb. 2006

It is claimed that the Fed. Gov. knew of the AWB’s Saddam payments back in 2001. In fact it would appear that everyone who was anyone in Canberra knew. PM Howard denies this. Howard has also stated that the government is not holding back any documents from the Cole inquiry. The Australian delegation heading to Iraq to try re-secure our wheat deal has dumped AWB chairman Brandan Stewart from its lineup.

Timber manufacturer Gunns Ltd.  has threatened to build its propoesed $1.4 billion mill in Asia if a minority government is elected Tasmanian. This as a prominent anti-wood-pulp campaigner announces that she will run as an independent. It is argued that Gunns is merely voicing the concerns of all the states priamry producers.

200 more Australian troops are headed to Afghanistan amid a rise in violent attacks. Beazley agrees with the move and US General John Abizaid is glad to have Aussies on his side.

Vic. Liberal front bencher Victor Perton resigns from politics, severly hurting the Libs in this, the state’s election year and leading to a reshuffle. An opinion poll shows the opposition losing popularity.

A 43-year-old Australian woman is arrested on the Indonesian Island of Lombok in possession of marijuana.

The Vic. Gov. has annonced plans to build a $1 billion ‘mini-city‘ and convention centre on the banks of the Yarra. Multiplex won the construction contract.

A serial rapist has been prowling Canberra’s streets for the last three years. Police want info.

Police in Townsville, Qld. are on strike in protest over short staffing.

Yet another survery confirms what we all know; Australian school kids know how to shop, but don’t know a thing about finances.

More illegal fishing boats are caught off the Australian coast.

Australian News Tuesday, 21 Feb. 2006

John Howard became PM almost 10 years ago. A survey was conducted which had some interesting results. It would appear that as long as the economy is strong, people are happy with the PM. Most, however,  did feel that Australian had become a ‘meaner’ country under Howard. Is Howard’s impact on nationalism related to the ‘meaner Australia’?

Muslim leaders are upset about PM Howard’s comments about the Muslim community having trouble intergrating into Australian society. It is claimed that Howard is ‘playing on pre-existing Islamaphobia’ and singling out Muslims. The PM stands by his comments.

Anglicans in Sydney are being criticised for taking a right-wing approach in relation to womens rights and homosexuals in particular.

Shots are fired at an illegal fishing boat intercepted in Australian waters. 40 boats have been seized since the start of the year.

In a bid to further secure the saftey of taxi drivers after the recent spate of violence, all NSW taxis will be fitted with cameras and security guards will patrol taxi ranks. Other news states that Macquarie is planning to get into the taxi business.

Telstra is planning to drop up to 1,000 payphones from its service. Communications Minister Helen Coonan says the government was not consulted over the matter.

NSW is posting a list of its most wanted criminals online.

Australian News Monday, 20 Feb. 2006

Defense MInister Brendan Nelson has ordered two reviews into military equipment and mismnagement. Nelson also confirmed PM Howard’s comments as to Australian troops staying in Iraq once Japanese engineers have left and has put some blame on schools for the the defence force’s sagging numbers.

The AFP are confident they will arrest six more people related to the Bali Nine. The six are currently overseas.

Donating organs. Some do and some don’t, but the Fed. Gov. want more people in the ‘do’ catergory. Tony Abbott is launching a national scheme which will involve hospital staff pushing the idea more. 

Simon Crean contiues to cling onto his parliamentary position by the nails and begs Kim Beazley for some support.

A hit-and-run accident killed five teenagers and injures seven in rural Vic. A man has been arrested and charged.

Australian News Sunday, 19 Feb. 2006

It is reported that the AWB asked Alexander Downer and Mark Vaile to stay quiet about the AWB’s Iraq dealings with comments being made that “the last thing we need is for them (Mr Downer and Mr Vaile) to get drawn into saying anything.” The AWB feared a public backlash if their dealings were revealed. It would appear that their behaviour became more and more desperate as Saddam’s regime fell. The mindset of many of the parties involved is seen as single-minded.

With the UN publishing a report condemning the US-controlled Guantanamo Bay prison and calling for its closure, the lawyer of accused terrorist David Hicks has met again with Alexander Downer. Downer says he will raise the matter at the next Federal cabinet meeting but states that the Fed. Gov. hasn’t changed its stance on the matter. 

Federal Police chief Mick Keelty defends the decision to hand over the ‘Bali Nine’ to Indonesian authorities and we are reminded that at the end of it all, it is the Nine who are the bad guys. In the midst of all this, the AFP confirm that Keelty has been recieving death threats over the Bali Nine issue.

The new NSW treasurer, Michael Costa, has criticised the Fed. Gov’s personal tax cuts. Costello warns him not to make the same mistakes as his predecessors.

Linked Articles Which Require Registration

Occasionally news articles are linked to which require registration to read. To access these articles without going through the registration process, head over to BugMeNot.

By entering the website’s URL into the dialog box and clicking ‘Get Logins’, you will be provided with a list of usernames and passwords registered by people for public use.

For example, entering ‘www.nytimes.com‘ into the dialog box and clicking the button brings us to this page. Use for www.washingtonpost.com, www.latimes.com, or any other registration site you encounter.

Australian News Saturday, 18 Feb. 2006

The Cole Inquiry investigating the AWB/Saddam scandal reveals that an AWB manager got a corrupt Iraqi official into a top position in the new Iraqi government to aid the Australian-Iraqi wheat trade. Also, it is alleged that the AWB may have claimed up to $90 million it paid to Saddam back on tax.

The trial of accused al-Qaeda man Joseph Thomas continues with the court hearing that Bin Laden wanted a white sleeper-agent. A witness from the US gave video evidence that he met Thomas in an Afghanistan al-Qaeda training camp.

Eight people are charged over protesting at Kerry Packer’s funeral. The people were protesting the use of taxpayers money to fund the funeral of Australia’s richest man.

John Howard saves the lives of two Australians sentenced to death in Thailand for drug smuggling.

A 13-year-old boy is charged for shooting a 16-year-old girl in the head in WA. The girl is in a critical condition.

Plans for a permanent water trade betweeen Vic. and SA are planned.

Tasmania’s state election will be held on the 18th March.

This is a Public Service Announcement: Commonwealth Games Traffic Changes and Closure Reports

I have been fortunate enough to recieve these two files detailing changes and closures of Melbourne roads due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

This is a Microsoft Word document detailing changes in traffic condition apparently prepared by American Express.

This is a Microsoft Excel file detailing road closures for the games seemingly prepared by the Metropolitan Ambulance Service.

The validity of these files has not been confirmed but I guess there’s no harm in using them as guides for now. Please share the information in the interests of the general public.

This concludes our PSA for the afternoon. Thankyou.