Highlights of the AAP newsfile to Monday evening

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-1998
Highlights of the AAP newsfile to Monday evening

LEADERSHIP (SYDNEY)

Newly elected New South Wales Liberal Leader KERRY CHIKAROVSKI
has promised to put forward people-based policies in the March
state election.

At a press conference following her election, Mrs CHIKAROVSKIs
said that being an opposition leader was the toughest job in
politics.

But shed give it all her energy and enthusiasm.

Mrs CHIKAROVSKI has refused to discuss policy details, saying
only theyll be fine tuned over the Christmas break for release in
mid-January.

MULGRAVE BORBIDGE (BRISBANE)

Queensland opposition leader ROB BORBIDGE has conceded defeat
and congratulated Labors
WARREN PITT for his victory in the Mulgrave by-election.

Mr BORBIDGE says further counting has made it virtually
impossible for the National Party
to make up the ground for a win in the north Queensland seat.

The result means Labor has 45 seats in the 89-seat Queensland
parliament, giving it control
without the need for support from either of the two independents.

TOWER GROLLO (MELBOURNE)

Property developer BRUNO GROLLO says the worlds tallest
building can be built in five years after receiving the Victorian
governments approval today.

Premier JEFF KENNETT today announced the winning bid for the
Docklands Batmans Hill precinct -- the $1.5 billion development,
including a 560-metre, 120-storey tower complex.

Mr GROLLO says hes confident of securing finance over the next
four months and of starting construction in the next year.

MOTOROLA LEWIS (ADELAIDE)

South Australian Premier JOHN OLSEN could face a no-confidence
motion from a member of his
own party tomorrow over claims he misled parliament over dealings
with the Motorola company.

Liberal backbencher PETER LEWIS says theres no choice other
than a motion of no-confidence unless an independent inquiry is
established.

The issue centres on MR OLSENs explanation of commitments he
gave to Motorola before it was awarded a $60 million government
radio network contract.

ANZ JOBS (SYDNEY)

Employment advertisements in major metropolitan newspapers
reached their highest level in
more than eight years last month.

The ANZ Banking Group says the number of job ads rose by a
seasonally adjusted 3.4 per cent
in November to reach their highest level since March 1990.

ANZ chief economist SAUL ESLAKE says this suggests continued
growth in the domestic
economy.

RORTS (CANBERRA)

The federal government has denied its moving to water down
controls over MPs travel
entitlements.

The Australian Financial Review says confidential documents
reveal plans to cut Department of Finance and Administration
checks on MPs travel claims.

Special Minister of State CHRIS ELLISON says the document has
been quoted out of context.

INSURANCE PARLY (CANBERRA)

The federal government has pledged to strengthen the role of
the private health insurance
complaints commissioner to ensure funds behave acceptably.

The Private Health Insurance Ombudsmans annual report has
revealed that some funds were
misleading customers about their benefits and deliberately keeping
rules secret.

The promise comes as the government is pushing the Senate to
pass its 30 per cent rebate for private health insurance.

CHILDREN (BRISBANE)

A Townsville mans been charged with 45 offences against young girls committed up to 28
years ago.

Police allege the offences were committed in and around the Townsville region against six
girls aged three to 10 between 1970 and 1977.

They included rape, unlawful carnal knowledge, deprivation of liberty, sodomy, indecent
acts and administering stupefying drugs.

The man, who cant be identified for legal reasons, has appeared in the Townsville
magistrates court.

MACKAY (TOWNSVILLE, Qld)

An 86-year-old man charged with murdering two young Townsville sisters 28 years ago will
remain in custody until at least Friday after having a bail application adjourned.

ARTHUR STANLEY BROWN of Rosslea, in Townsville, was arrested last week and charged with
murdering five-year-old SUSAN DEBORAH MACKAY and her seven-year-old sister JUDITH ELIZABETH
MACKAY in August, 1970.

The Crown argued in the Supreme Court that BROWN should not receive bail because of fears
he would take his own life and that of his wife.

Judge KERRY CULLINAN has adjourned the hearing until Friday morning to allow the defence
time to view evidence and attain expert psychiatric reports.

TODDLER MUM (PERTH)

The mother of murdered Victorian toddler JAIDYN LESKIE is said to be upset and confused by
reported offers from the media to pay her for her story.

BILYNDA MURPHY is staying at the Moe house of her friend SUE HOEVIS, whos cared for her
since 14-month-old JAIDYNs disappearance in June.

Ms HOEVIS says media reports that Ms MURPHYs been offered up to $60,000 by commercial
television stations has upset the grieving woman, who believes its wrong to profit from her
sons death.

HALDEN (PERTH)

West Australian Labor MP JOHN HALDEN has denied in court allegations that he knowingly gave
false evidence to the Marks Royal Commission in September 1995.

The accusations relate to his evidence on his tabling in 1992 of false allegations in state
parliament about Perth lawyer PENNY EASTON, who committed suicide days later.

It is alleged that HALDEN falsely denied discussing the matter with then premier CARMEN
LAWRENCE before the tabling.

HALDEN has pleaded not guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum prison sentence of
five years.

Dr LAWRENCE is to face trial on similar charges next year.

BRIEFLY...

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised
concerns about planned joint ventures between Caltex Australia and
BP Australia, and Shell Australia and Mobil Oil Australia.

Lawyers for entertainer NORMIE ROWE have failed in their attempt
to use a technical hitch to get his assault charge thrown out of
court, with the case adjourned to March.

The 53-year-old man serving a life sentence for the 1989 shooting
murder of Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner COLIN
WINCHESTER has appealed to the High Court, saying his trial judge
was illegally appointed.

The man accused of mailing a letterbomb which exploded last week
at a Canberra post office is expected to spend another night in
hospital before appearing in court tomorrow.

IN SPORT..

CRICKET AUST (MELBOURNE)

Legspinner STUART MACGILL has been recalled to the Australian
cricket side for the third
Test against England in Adelaide.

Australian selectors have dropped paceman MICHAEL KASPROWICZ
from the 12 man squad for the
Test starting this Friday.

MACGILL says hell be very pleased if he can emulate the five
wickets he managed on his Test debut in Adelaide earlier this
year.

GALLOPS GOODWIN (BRISBANE)

Pioneering female Aboriginal jockey LEIGH-ANNE GOODWIN has died
of severe head and internal
injuries sustained in a fall at Roma in south west Queensland on
Saturday.

The 27-year-old womans career was skyrocketing with her first
city win aboard a galloper
trained by her father at Eagle Farm in September.

GOODWIN, 27, fell from Bachelor King in the Class 1 Hcp at
Roma.

SOCCER VIDUKA (MELBOURNE)

Socceroo MARK VIDUKA could quit soccer after walking out on
Scottish giant Glasgow Celtic
only days after transferring there.

IMG spokesman BERNIE MANDICH says hell be coming back to
Australia and his soccer future
is now under a cloud.

He says theres a possibility he could quit the game.

ENDS ROUNDUP
AAP RTV jv/jn

KEYWORD: EVENING ROUND-UP

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