Fed: Govt denies suppressing ethanol report

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Fed: Govt denies suppressing ethanol report

CANBERRA, Dec 11 AAP - The federal government today denied it was suppressing scientificevidence about the impact of ethanol-laced petrol on cars and the environment.

Motoring body NRMA has called on the government to publish the results of random fueltesting undertaken for Environment Australia so motorists can protect their cars fromhigh ethanol fuel.

Newspaper reports said the Environment Australia study showed blends with 20 per centethanol could cause corrosion of fuel system parts, fuel leaks and increases in pollutants.

Motoring and consumer groups and the federal opposition are pushing for a 10 per centcap on ethanol and mandatory labelling so motorists know what they are putting in theircars.

But Environment Minister David Kemp said the report was just the first stage of a comprehensivestudy and was inconclusive about the impact of ethanol.

"The report clearly states that the impact of a 20 per cent blend of ethanol on engineand fuel system durability of the Australian vehicle fleet is unclear," he told ABC radio.

"In terms of engine wear, the literature reviewed is vague leaving only the valid conclusionthat testing is required to obtain data to form a view."

Opposition treasury spokesman Bob McMullan said the government should release the resultsnow and introduce interim measures to protect motorists while the study was completed.

"This is a scandal, it's a cover-up by the government, they're protecting their matesat the expense of motorists," he told reporters.

"Damage is being done to cars now, damage is being done to boat engines now, damageis being done to farm pumps now and the government needs to act now."

Ninety per cent of Australia's ethanol comes from the Manildra Group which is a largefinancial contributor to the Liberal Party.

AAP kmh/kjp/drp/sb

KEYWORD: ETHANOL REACTION

NSW: Crippled UK destroyer to be towed to Newcastle tomorrow

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NSW: Crippled UK destroyer to be towed to Newcastle tomorrow

The crippled British destroyer HMS Nottingham is expected to be towed from Lord HoweIsland to Newcastle on the New South Wales central coast early tomorrow (Monday).

Five compartments of the Nottingham, including missile stores, were flooded after ithit a rock near the island on July 7.

Royal Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander MIKE SOUTER says the tow to Newcastle isexpected to take three to four days.

He says three tugs will be used, and the Nottingham will be towed backwards to minimisefurther flooding.

Commander SOUTER says the extent of the damage is still unknown and can't be assesseduntil it's in a dry dock.

After the Nottingham arrives at Newcastle it will be strengthened before being puton a heavy lift ship and taken to Britain.

AAP RTV as/wjf/wz

KEYWORD: NOTTINGHAM (SYDNEY)

SA: Second independent sways toward SA Labor government

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SA: Second independent sways toward SA Labor government

The formation of a South Australian Labor government is now almost certain, with asecond independent saying he is swaying towards the ALP.

Independent BOB SUCH says preliminary results of a questionnaire he sent to his conservativeelectorate of Fisher, in Adelaide's southern suburbs, shows support for a Labor governmentis almost double that for a Liberal government.

The state of government in South Australia has remained uncertain since the February9 election when Labor won 23 …

Fed:Williams says possible threat to US,UK interests in Aust= 2

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2001
Fed:Williams says possible threat to US,UK interests in Aust= 2

But Mr Williams said the government was sufficiently concerned to upgrade security
at airports and key sites around the country.

"All state, territory and commonwealth law enforcement and security and intelligence
agencies have been advised of the increased threat level," he said.

"They are working closely together and with their international counterparts to investigate
the information and any unusual and suspicious activity."

Mr Williams said he could not give further details of the information received, and
urged Christmas travellers to have patience with increased security at airports.

"I would like to reassure Australians that they can continue their daily lives with
confidence in our national security arrangements and (be) confident that security has
been increased to the appropriate level," he said.

AAP kmh/daw/cdh

KEYWORD: TERROR AUST THREAT 2 CANBERRA

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Gov't considering overhaul of film tax rules

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2001
Fed: Gov't considering overhaul of film tax rules

CANBERRA, Aug 13 AAP - The federal government is considering an overhaul of tax laws
to keep Australia's billion-dollar film industry alive.

New South Wales Premier Bob Carr has written to Prime Minister John Howard, warning
the industry was in danger of collapse following a crackdown on taxation concessions for
the multi-million dollar productions Moulin Rouge and Red Planet.

But Mr Howard said yesterday his office already had pledged to review the matter with
the Australian Taxation Office.

"I think the best way for premiers to behave on issues like this is to cooperate with
the federal government and not to run Sunday newspaper stunts on us," he told reporters.

But Labor arts spokesman Bob McMullan said both the Queensland and Victorian state
government had previously written to Mr Howard on the issue only to be met with studied
inactivity.

"I call on John Howard to clean up this mess by creating arrangements for the Australian
film industry that are clear and predictable before jobs and investment are lost," he
said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley yesterday sought to blunt coalition claims
a switch to Labor in the upcoming federal election would saddle voters with a high-taxing,
high-spending government.

With tax looming as the central poll battlefield, Mr Beazley pledged a Labor government
would not ramp up taxes to pay for its GST rollback.

Instead, the ALP would slow the pace of planned reforms to social services such as
education and health and aged care, he said.

But Treasurer Peter Costello said Mr Beazley was like a rolling stone on taxation,
moving backwards and forwards with no clear direction.

AAP rft/md/sbf

KEYWORD: TAX DAYLEAD

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Lawyers face tough new probity rules

AAP General News (Australia)
02-26-2001
NSW: Lawyers face tough new probity rules

By Jane Wardell

SYDNEY, Feb 26 AAP - Barristers who abuse the tax system could be disbarred under tough
New South Wales government regulations proposed today.

Attorney-General Bob Debus announced the planned changes following reports that indebted
lawyers were continuing to live in luxury by using vehicles such as family trusts or their
wives' names to conceal their wealth.

Mr Debus said the changes would ensure any bankrupt lawyers were scrutinised to determine
whether they were fit to continue practising.

"From now on we ought to …

SA: Le Mans race increases risk of sexual assault say Democrats

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2000
SA: Le Mans race increases risk of sexual assault say Democrats

The Australian Democrats say the risk of sexual assaults in Adelaide has risen due
to the influx of people for the staging of the Le Mans race and New Year celebrations.

Democrats state deputy leader SANDRA KANCK says it's an attested fact that the incidence
of sexual assault increases at this time of the year.

She says the dramatic increase in the use of drugs and alcohol during the silly season
impairs the sense of judgement of both victims and perpetrators -- thereby increasing
the incidence of sexual assault.

Ms KANCK says statistics from SA rape and sexual assault service Yarrow Place reveal
an average of 25 sexual assaults a day in Adelaide.

The Le Mans motorsport carnival starts today, culminating with the main race on New
Year's Eve on the city's old formula one grand prix track.

AAP RTV sl/hn/

KEYWORD: LE MANS ASSAULT (ADELAIDE)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.