25 November 2003 11:24
The main stories in today`s Australian newspapers
THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW Page 1: Taxpayers could be given more certainty about tax rulings and be protected
from unreasonable delays in enforcing tax laws as part of a federal government review of the self-assessment tax system;
Huge interest in the Telstra $1 billion share buyback allows the telco to price the offer at $4.20 a share; The National
Farmers Federation pleads for the Reserve Bank not to lift interest rates as large parts of Australia continue to suffer
from drought. Page 3: State and federal governments agree to the creation of a single national regulator to oversee the
fragmented state electricity and gas systems; The factory and business of failed health supplement maker Pan
Pharmaceuticals is sold to a privately owned Sydney company for $20 million. World: The trade dispute between the United
States and China intensifies ahead of next month's visit to the US by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao; Eduard
Shevardnadze resigns as president of Georgia after disputed parliamentary elections sparked weeks of protests in the
former Soviet republic. Markets: Fund managers say the valuation pendulum has swung back in favour of the major banks
and defensive stocks like Woolworths, but many are unwilling to let go of cyclical positions built up over recent
months. THE AUSTRALIAN Page 1: The federal government is considering a proposal to extend its Medicare safety net by
covering medical costs over $300 a year, rather than its proposed $500 threshold; An Australian man detained by British
troops in Iraq and now released says he returned to Iraq to help rebuild his war-ravaged homeland; The federal
government's higher education reforms face defeat in the Senate. Page 2: The Federal Police Commissioner warns the
South Pacific will continue to be a potential base for terror attacks on Australia until the region unites to wipe out
money-laundering and identity fraud; Managers whose employees are covered by awards have more control over company
operations than those where employees are covered by enterprise bargaining agreements, according to the Institute of
Public Affairs. Page 3: Parents who fail to meeting parental obligations after divorce could face fines or jail under
proposals by a parliamentary committee; Prices of digital cameras, palm pilots and other high-tech gadgets have plunged
because of the strong Australian dollar. World: The remains of two US soldiers who had been "missing in
action" since the Vietnam War are returned home after 29 years; A US military helicopter crashes outside an
American base near the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least five soldiers. Business: WMC Resources orders an
operations review at its accident-prone Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine after another breakdown threatens its $30
million in pre-tax earnings. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Page 1: Public plea for help to solve the mystery of missing Sydney
woman Zoe Zou, whose one-year-old daughter was found unattended in Manly last Thursday. Page 2: NSW Government proposes
legislation giving it unprecedented powers over local councils; Australian man Nuri Alwan is freed without charge after
being detained in Iraq by British troops. Page 3: Federal Government considers tax reform options that may spare four
million Australians from having to lodge tax returns; Former One Nation leader Pauline Hanson relives the torment of her
jailing in an article in Women's Weekly. World: The gruesome slaying of two wounded US soldiers in Mosul, Iraq,
fuels criticism the Bush administration has no clear strategy there; The family of the boy allegedly molested by Michael
Jackson reportedly rejects the singer's offer to relocate them to Latin America to escape media attention. Finance:
Telstra investors will get at least $1680 each for participating in Telstra's $1 billion off-market buyback. THE
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Page 1: Air passengers may face serious delays as pilots fly slower near airports because of
concerns over new air traffic rules; Australian man detained by British troops in Iraq devoted spare time to helping
Iraqi refugees and was "in the wrong place at the wrong time". Page 2: Millions of Australians could be spared
from having to fill out yearly tax returns after review of income tax self-assessment system; Australian Rugby Union
receives complaints about the clumsy presentation of medals to the defeated Wallabies at the World Cup final; Geoffrey
Edelsten tells the NSW Medical Tribunal he is a changed man and wants to be readmitted as a doctor in NSW. Page 3:
Consumer groups call for laws restricting banks from automatically granting new cards and increasing credit limits
without first checking a person's ability to pay; A Supreme Court judge criticises new laws barring accused rapists
from directly cross-examinng their alleged victims; Public appeal for information on Sydney businessswoman Zoe
Zou's whereabouts. World: Georgia's most prominent female politican, Nino Burdzhanadze, is named acting
president after Eduard Shevardnadze resigns; US Democrats demand the Republicans stop broadcasting a television
advertisement defending President George Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and attacking his critics. Business:
Any remaining confidence in WMC Resources evaporates after its CEO Andrew Michelmore announces another costly glitch at
its Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine; Huge demand for Telstra's $1 billion share buyback drags down the final
price to $4.20 a share. HERALD SUN Page 1 - Law firms have reaped more than $40 million from taxpayers by cashing in on
the asylum seeker row; Lleyton Hewitt has ignited a war of words on the eve of the Davis cup final. Page 2 - Premier
Steve Bracks has refused to meet John Magill, the father of murder victim Jane Thurgood-Dove. Page 3 - Commuters will be
hit with public transport fare rises; High country grazing bans for the next two years. Page 5 - Police claim a $20
million heroin seizure has cracked a sophisticated drug trafficking ring. World - The gruesome slaying of two GIs in
Moscul has left America grappling with a new horror in Iraq; Georgia's veteran President, Eduard Shevardnaze,
resigned to scenes of wild jubilation. Finance - Telstra sets a buy-back price of $4.20 per share; WMC Resources shares
slumped more than 4 per cent after it revealed equipment failure could cost the company up to $34.5 million. THE AGE
Page 1 - Train, tram and bus fares across Victoria could rise by up to 11 per cent under a proposal put to the state
government; Margaret Beazley, of the NSW Court of Appeal, is tipped to become Victoria's 11th chief justice. Page 2
- Disaster fears on new air traffic rules; Security check on New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark a mistake. Page 3 -
A Melbourne man facing the death penalty in Singapore for alleged drug smuggling wept when he was arrested, a court was
told; Hundreds of stargazers gathered to watch the eclipse of the sun. Page 5 - Suspended ATSIC Chairman Geoff Clark
stands firm as appeal begins on hotel quarrel. World - Georgia's new leaders said they would hold fresh elections
within 45 days; Iraq killing frenzy spreads to Mosul; Ecstasy to be tested as treatment for the traumatised. Finance -
Huge institutional demand for Telstra's $1 billion share buyback has dragged the final price down to $4.20 per
share; WMC faces earnings hit as project smelter taken off-line. CANBERRA TIMES Page 1: Flights around Australia set to
be delayed as pilots protest against air space reforms, Canberra pilots concerned about airspace changes, Canberra to
retain stage three water restrictions despite rain, Millions may not need to file tax returns. Page 2: Treasurer Peter
Costello confident Senate will pass Medicare package, Medical researcher chosen as Canberra Australian of the year,
Health minister Tony Abbott issues new standards for medicine dispensing, Pan assets to be sold. Page 3: Designer of
rejected monument to suffrage says she's disappointed the government lacks vision, Senate rejects excision of
islands from migration zone, Afghan asylum seeker pleads for chance to stay in Australia. World: Georgia protests force
Eduard Shevardnadze to quit, Turkey vows to stand firm with the west following terror blasts, 32 students killed in
Moscow hostel fire, Iraqi teenagers beat wounded US soldiers to death. Business: Telstra share buyback scaled down,
Massive Westfield shopping centre buyout goes ahead, Survey says Australians will spend $27.5 billion this Christmas.
ADELAIDE ADVERTISER Page 1 - Insurance company survey finds some young people are driving while under the influence of
drugs. Page 2 - Couples audition in Adelaide for TVs latest reality TV show, Channel 7's My Restaurant Rules. Page
3 - SA power regulator says he won't be bullied into approving a cut in electricity prices. World - Georgia's
interim leader calls for a restoration of order after President Eduard Shevardnadze quits (Tbilisi); Two US soldiers
slayed in the Iraqi city of Mosul (New York); The two-week old baby daughter of Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex
leaves hospital in London (London). Finance - Equipment failure at Olympic Dam project of WMC Resources to cost $34.5
million to fix; Telstra to pay $4.20 per share in buyback scheme. AAP
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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