Monday, 25 February 2002
Sunday, 24 February 2002
Friday, 22 February 2002
Former NSW governor Roden Cutler, VC, dies at 85, The Australian, 22 February, 2002.
Former NSW governor Roden Cutler, VC, dies at 85: [2 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 22 Feb 2002: 4.
Abstract
NSW Premier Bob Carr paid tribute to Sir [Roden Cutler], who served as governor of the state from 1966 to 1981.
Sir Roden was born in Manly in 1916 and attended Sydney Boy's High. At the beginning of World War II he joined the Sydney University Regiment and became a lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force.
Sir Roden, a career diplomat, became NSW secretary of the RSL after he returned from the war and retained close links with the league for the rest of his life.
NSW's longest-serving governor, war hero Roden Cutler, died yesterday after a long illness. He was 85.
Sir Roden, who lost a leg and won the Victoria Cross fighting the Vichy French in the Middle East, will be honoured with a state funeral.
NSW Premier Bob Carr paid tribute to Sir Roden, who served as governor of the state from 1966 to 1981.
"For his long-term of office and his rigorous application to public service, Sir Roden Cutler deserves a special regard and warm recollection," Mr Carr said.
"From both sides of politics, he attracted not only respect, but a personal regard and admiration."
Sir Roden was born in Manly in 1916 and attended Sydney Boy's High. At the beginning of World War II he joined the Sydney University Regiment and became a lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force.
He won the VC in Syria for his conduct over 18 days as an advance artillery observer. He lost a leg after he was left lying on the ground for several days after being machine-gunned. Close to death, he was rescued by a friend.
Sir Roden, a career diplomat, became NSW secretary of the RSL after he returned from the war and retained close links with the league for the rest of his life.
"He was a bloke who put the welfare of his companions first and foremost," said NSW RSL president Rusty Priest, a long-time friend.
Sir Roden's death leaves only two Australian VC winners, Edward Kenna (World War II) and Keith Payne (Vietnam).
Colleen McCullough wrote a biography of Sir Roden in 1998. It was at that time that he made his last major public statements.
He expressed despair at what he saw as the increasing greed of Australians and a growing attitude of self-interest. He believed more emphasis should be placed on social and charitable work and less on sport.
Sir Roden is survived by his second wife Joan, four children and nine grandchildren.
Illustration
Caption: Long-serving: Sir Roden; Photo: Photo
Citrus growers fight squeeze, The Australian, 22 February, 2002.
Citrus growers fight squeeze: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 22 Feb 2002: 32.
Abstract
Growers estimate there are around 3000 citrus growers remaining, with hundreds of growers having left the industry over the past decade. The Australian Citrus Growers Association claims the majority of remaining growers are finding survival "very challenging".
The industry claims to have been badly affected by low-cost imports of juice concentrate from Brazil which have been escalating for the past 12 years. The level of protection for Australian citrus growers has fallen to around two per cent, while Brazilian growers enjoy subsidies and protection of around 35 per cent.
Report caned:Riverina, Riverlands and Sunraysia growers are in turmoil; Photo: Photo
* Rural
THE citrus industry is in uproar over the release of a Productivity Commission report telling growers to get bigger or get out.
The Productivity Commission's position paper Citrus Growing and Processing suggests that uneconomic citrus growers should walk off their land. Those left behind should increase farm sizes and become more efficient.
The descendants of thousands of families who established irrigated enterprises on soldier settler blocks throughout the Riverina, the Riverlands and Sunraysia during the early and mid 1900s are now surviving as much on off-farm income as they are on the once profitable pride and joy of their grandparents.
Growers estimate there are around 3000 citrus growers remaining, with hundreds of growers having left the industry over the past decade. The Australian Citrus Growers Association claims the majority of remaining growers are finding survival "very challenging".
The industry claims to have been badly affected by low-cost imports of juice concentrate from Brazil which have been escalating for the past 12 years. The level of protection for Australian citrus growers has fallen to around two per cent, while Brazilian growers enjoy subsidies and protection of around 35 per cent.
The Commission acknowledges the industry is hampered by a number of regulatory impediments, such as high trade barriers in some countries and costly labour market arrangements.
To the outrage of growers, the Commission recommends the dismantling of export arrangements with the US, one of the few aspects of the industry which is proving profitable.
While originally welcoming the Commission's investigation, executive director of the Australian Citrus Growers Association Judith Damiani describes the report as "a kick in the guts".
She said small growers, many around the Mildura and Griffith, are finding it hard to sell their properties.
Grower Kevin Cock decried the writers of the report as 1980s- style economic rationalists who cannot see how to drive business forward.
"Their theory is to drive out what they class as inefficient growers, but that doesn't happen, it doesn't work that way," he said. "We need to stimulate those farms to make them viable and export oriented."
Illustration
Caption: Report caned:Riverina, Riverlands and Sunraysia growers are in turmoil; Photo: Photo
Word count: 359
Copyright News Limited Feb 22, 2002
Thursday, 21 February 2002
Spotlight on all dioceses, The Australian, 21 February, 2002.
Spotlight on all dioceses: [2 Edition]
Leisa Scott, John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 21 Feb 2002: 7.
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Abstract
THE furore in which Peter Hollingworth has been embroiled has thrown the spotlight on other Anglican dioceses across Australia and all capital city dioceses except Perth, which would not comment, say they have reviewed their sexual abuse protocols within the past year.
THE furore in which Peter Hollingworth has been embroiled has thrown the spotlight on other Anglican dioceses across Australia and all capital city dioceses except Perth, which would not comment, say they have reviewed their sexual abuse protocols within the past year.
Sydney's Archbishop, Peter Jensen, said his diocese would have "six or seven things that are on the boil" and the Hobart diocese said it had three cases dating back about 25 years.
Adelaide diocese media officer Father Graeme Kaines refused to say how many cases of sexual abuse were being dealt with, claiming that even giving a number would breach confidentiality.
Darwin and Melbourne said there were no unresolved sexual abuse cases.
Dr Jensen told Sydney's Radio 2UE he had removed people from positions for sexual abuse.
"It's just an ugly fact, I mean we oughtn't be surprised, human beings are sinful creatures and we do make mistakes and we fall," Dr Jensen said.
In another interview on ABC radio, Dr Jensen said he had a "fair" degree of sympathy for Dr Hollingworth.
However, Dr Jensen said he would not have appointed someone with sexual abuse allegations against him to a sexual abuse committee.
Monday, 18 February 2002
Paracetamol ban no effect on overdoses, The Australian, 18 February, 2002.
Paracetamol ban no effect on overdoses: [2 Edition 1]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 18 Feb 2002: 5.
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Abstract
Poisons specialist Corrine Balit, along with a team from the NSW Poisons Information Centre and the Department of Clinical Toxicology at Newcastle Mater Hospital, discovered that during the shortage of paracetamol there was a significant increase in deliberate self- harm using the next most available analgesics, aspirin and ibuprofen.
One NSW region showed a 232 per cent increase in people presenting to hospital for aspirin poisoning during the period of paracetamol shortage, while theNSW Poisons Information Centre showed an 86 per cent increase in ibuprofen poisons.
REDUCING the availability of over-the-counter paracetamol is unlikely to reduce the rate of overdoses with common analgesics, says a study in the Medical Journal of Australia, published today.
Paracetamol is a common element in overdoses and the easy access to it, with its potential for deliberate self-harm, has prompted debate around the world.
Following extortion threats to two Australian pharmaceutical companies in 2000, the research team was in a unique position to determine the impact.
Poisons specialist Corrine Balit, along with a team from the NSW Poisons Information Centre and the Department of Clinical Toxicology at Newcastle Mater Hospital, discovered that during the shortage of paracetamol there was a significant increase in deliberate self- harm using the next most available analgesics, aspirin and ibuprofen.
"We found that the level of paracetamol poisoning did not decrease significantly during the recall but there was a significant increase in poisoning with other analgesics, which have a higher risk of side-effects, " said Ms Balit. "Significant overdoses of aspirin are serious and may be life-threatening."
One NSW region showed a 232 per cent increase in people presenting to hospital for aspirin poisoning during the period of paracetamol shortage, while theNSW Poisons Information Centre showed an 86 per cent increase in ibuprofen poisons.
Ms Balit said another difficulty was accidental overdosing in minors. Paracetamol was relatively non-toxic in children, where there were no confirmed deaths from acute poisoning.
But there were reports of serious complications in children who had swallowed large doses of ibuprofen. Accidental ibuprofen poisonings in children jumped 135 per cent during the paracetamol shortage.
The researchers warned that unless the availability of other medications was also controlled, the removal of one readily available medication, such as paracetamol, could have the opposite of the desired effect, leading to increased deliberate and accidental poisoning with more toxic medications.
50 hurt in bus crash, The Australian, 18 February, 2002.
50 hurt in bus crash: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 18 Feb 2002: 5.
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Abstract
FIFTY people, most of them elderly, were rushed to hospital yesterday after a bus collided with a car in western Sydney.
Most of the victims were taken to hospitals in western Sydney, including Liverpool, Westmead, Bankstown and Fairfield, and were later released. Of the 23 that were taken to Liverpool, five were admitted, while the remainder were treated and discharged.
FIFTY people, most of them elderly, were rushed to hospital yesterday after a bus collided with a car in western Sydney.
The bus was forced off the road and collided with a power pole. Rescue workers had to cut power to live electricity lines before freeing the injured.
The driver of the car was among the 11 most seriously hurt, most of whom suffered head and chest injuries.
The other 39 victims had injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to broken limbs.
Streets in the suburb of Wetherill Park were closed for six hours as emergency teams cleaned up the mess.
Ten ambulances were called to the accident.
Two people were trapped inside the bus, while the car ended up crashing through a fence on the opposite side of the road.
Most of the victims were taken to hospitals in western Sydney, including Liverpool, Westmead, Bankstown and Fairfield, and were later released. Of the 23 that were taken to Liverpool, five were admitted, while the remainder were treated and discharged.
At Bankstown, all 10 patients were treated and allowed to go home.
A police spokeswoman said a number of hazards, including oil on the road, had contributed to the accident.
Friday, 15 February 2002
Wetlands going, going ...., The Australian, 15 February, 2002.
Wetlands going, going ...: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 15 Feb 2002: 28.
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Abstract
The impact of Queensland cotton growing on the river flows, and therefore on the natural flooding of Narran Lakes and its environs, has been a touchpoint for environmentalists since the 1980s.
Agent John Peden of Elders says he does not believe the environmental controversy that has dogged Narran Lakes will have an impact on the sale price. A campaign to save the wetlands resulted in the Narran Lake Declaration being signed by a coalition of conservationists and farmers in 2000 in a show of co-operation between the disparate groups.
On the market:Narran Lakes, said to be `some of the finest cattle county' in NSW; Photo: Photo
* Rural
NARRAN Lakes, a 24,743ha cattle property that encompasses some of the most significant wetlands in NSW, is for sale.
The impact of Queensland cotton growing on the river flows, and therefore on the natural flooding of Narran Lakes and its environs, has been a touchpoint for environmentalists since the 1980s.
Its sister property, 14,652ha Bairnkine Station about 30km to the south-east, is also up for auction. Bairnkine has been in the McDonald family for more than 100 years and features eight kilometres of frontage along the Barwon River, an artesian bore, and a beautiful old homestead.
The two properties are being sold separately in one of the largest sales seen in north-western NSW for many years.
A third of the striking, almost totally flat landscape of Narran Lakes is subject to beneficial flooding.
The wetlands are recognised as internationally important breeding grounds for water birds and the centre of the lake is a nature reserve.
The sprawling cattle empire is being sold by the family after the death of Donald and Nancy McDonald, who lived on the properties for most of their lives.
Traditionally, the major enterprise was sheep. In the old days it took eight men six or more weeks to muster on horseback. Now it takes a matter of days by helicopter.
Low wool prices pushed a shift to cattle and to opportunistic cropping. Cultivation permits are in place on the flood water country.
Agent John Peden of Elders says he does not believe the environmental controversy that has dogged Narran Lakes will have an impact on the sale price. A campaign to save the wetlands resulted in the Narran Lake Declaration being signed by a coalition of conservationists and farmers in 2000 in a show of co-operation between the disparate groups.
"We have inquiries from organisations with a conservation interest who will be looking to maintain the status and environment of the lake," Mr Peden said.
"But clearly, in doing so, there will continue to be farming opportunities because of the natural inundation of the surrounding area," he said. "This is some of thevery finest cattle country in the state."
While it will be a multi-million dollar sale, Elders are reluctant to put an expected price on the two properties both because of the diverse nature of the country and because there have been no comparable sales on the same scale in the district for as long as anyone can remember.
Illustration
Caption: On the market:Narran Lakes, said to be `some of the finest cattle county' in NSW; Photo: Photo
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