AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Dec 8

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2005
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Dec 8
Evening Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1630


Turkey Aust (CANBERRA)

The visiting Turkish prime minister has criticised the invasion of Iraq .. saying it's
turned Iraq into a training ground for terrorists.

To the discomfort of Australian government ministers .. RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN has told
an official lunch in his honour .. that military action is not the solution to terrorism.

He says more must be done to tackle the root causes of terrorism .. including poverty
.. ignorance .. and religious intolerance.

Meanwhile .. Nobel literature laureate HAROLD PINTER says GEORGE W BUSH and TONY BLAIR
should be prosecuted before the International Criminal Court for state terrorism .. for
invading Iraq.



Economy Parly (CANBERRA)

PETER COSTELLO says prospects for continued growth are good .. even with unemployment
near structural lows.

Employment figures have found the jobless rate was down 0.1 percentage points to 5.1
per cent in November.

And the treasurer says there's scope for it to go even lower .. with prospects for
job creation remaining strong.



Nuclear Reaction (DARWIN)

Environmentalists have vowed to fight on .. after federal parliament passed laws to
force a nuclear waste dump on the Northern Territory.

The Australian Conservation Foundation says it expects community anger will escalate
.. now the bills have passed the Senate.

A detailed study of three Defence sites for the dump will be conducted next year.



VSU Nelson (CANBERRA)

The government hasn't secured enough Senate votes to pass a bill that would end compulsory
student union fees .. and may defer it until next year.

Queensland Nationals senator BARNABY JOYCE wants the government to allow unis to charge
a fee that would support non-academic services and facilities for students.

But Education Minister BRENDAN NELSON wants to introduce a user-pays system for all
the campus sporting clubs .. and student services such as childcare.



Family Parly (CANBERRA)

Attorney-General PHILIP RUDDOCK has introduced bills to parliament .. which he says
are the biggest changes to family law in 30 years.

He says they'll ensure both parents have equal access to .. and responsibility for
raising their children after separation.



Bujdoso (SYDNEY)

The High Court has told a convicted paedophile who was bashed in jail .. he can seek
compensation from the New South Wales government.

PETER ANDREW BUJDOSO'S skull was fractured during the attack in September 1991 .. when
up to four masked men broke into his room at Sydney's Silverwater Jail and attacked him
with iron bars.



Jetstar (SYDNEY)

Qantas says its low cost offshoot Jetstar will start long-haul international services
by January 2007.

Qantas chief executive GEOFF DIXON says Jetstar's initial route structure will require
10 aircraft .. and will involve point-to-point routes between Australia and Asian and
Pacific cities.

Mr DIXON says hundreds of additional jobs will be created in Australia in the first
three years of operation.



Terror BinLaden (WASHINGTON)

The new Saudi ambassador to the United States .. says OSAMA BIN LADEN remains isolated
in a border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan .. and appears to be slipping in power.

Prince TURKI AL-FAISAL says al-Qaeda's number two .. AYMAN AL-ZAWAHRI .. is positioning
himself to take over the terrorist network.



UN Climate ACF (CANBERRA)

The Australian Conservation Foundation says the country's long-term interests aren't
being represented effectively at the Montreal meeting on climate change.

ACF executive director DON HENRY says Australia's refusal to sign the Kyoto protocol
has left us on the outer.

And he says we have no influence in the emerging international carbon trading market.



Vanuatu Volcano (AMBAE ISLAND)

Vanuatu's Mt Manaro volcano is shooting steam and toxic gases three thousand metres
into the skies above remote Ambae Island.

Huge columns of dense white steam and muddy ash are soaring to the greatest height
seen since it began erupting on November 27.

About five thousand villagers have been evacuated.



US Lennon (NEW YORK)

JOHN LENNON fans are gathering in New York's Central Park to commemorate the 25th anniversary
of his murder.

They'll meet in Strawberry Fields .. a part of the park opposite the Dakota apartment
building where LENNON lived with his wife YOKO ONO.

LENNON's birthplace .. the English city of Liverpool .. is also honouring the former Beatle.



BRIEFLY:

Abuse SA (ADELAIDE)

A former South Australian Supreme Court judge says the extent and gravity of child
sexual abuse is greater than anyone thinks.



Surf (SYDNEY)

New South Wales Premier MORRIS IEMMA has warned residents at Sydney's Cronulla Beach
not to take the law into their own hands .. over the assault of two lifesavers.



Prisons Vic (MELBOURNE)

Victoria's ombudsman has identified a systemic failure in the way prisoners' personal
property is handled.



AND IN SPORT:

Rugby Aust Perth (SYDNEY)

Perth will stage the Wallabies Test against Ireland in 2006 .. but won't host a match
in next year's extended Tri-Nations series.

The match against the Irish will be played at Subiaco Oval on June 24.



AFL Port (ADELAIDE)

AFL club Port Adelaide has forecast continued tough financial times .. after posting
a loss of more than half a million dollars this year.

Club president GREG BOULTON says the loss includes a payout to retired captain MATTHEW
PRIMUS for his 2006 contract .. and redundancy payments to club staff after a sales and
marketing department restructure.



Com06 Uniform (MELBOURNE)

Australia's Commonwealth Games athletes will march onto the MCG next year sporting
bold green and gold uniforms .. inspired by the legendary Baggy Green cricket cap.

Royal green regatta blazers trimmed with gold ribbon .. green checked skirts and trousers
.. striped shirts and cable-knit cricket pullovers .. have been unveiled as the 2006 Commonwealth
Games team uniform.



ENDS ROUND-UP

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