Tuesday, 30 April 2002

Gorton hit by pneumonia, The Australian, 30 April, 2002.

Gorton hit by pneumonia: [2 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 Apr 2002: 2.

Abstract

Throughout his public life, Sir [John Gorton] was known as a lovable larrikin whose informal manner endeared him to ordinary Australians. He was Liberal prime minister from 1968 to 1971 and is credited with moving his party into the modern era.

Full Text

FORMER prime minister John Gorton was admitted to St Vincent's Public Hospital in Sydney yesterday.
The hospital reported his condition as stable but serious.
Sir John, who turns 91 this year, is believed to be suffering from pneumonia. The hospital is conducting a series of medical tests.
It was expected that he would be transferred to St Vincents Private Hospital overnight. A spokesman for the hospital described his condition as "pretty rock solid stable".
Throughout his public life, Sir John was known as a lovable larrikin whose informal manner endeared him to ordinary Australians. He was Liberal prime minister from 1968 to 1971 and is credited with moving his party into the modern era.
The first major biography on his life, titled John Gorton: He Did It His Way, written by historian Ian Hancock, was launched last month.
Illustration
Caption: Tests: Sir John; Photo: Photo

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Monday, 29 April 2002

Costa cops more flak over Ryan job, The Australian, 29 April, 2002

Costa cops more flak over Ryan job: [1 Edition]

John Stapleton, Natasha Bita. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 29 Apr 2002: 3.
Show highlighting
Mr [Peter Ryan]'s appointment is understood to have met with some opposition from Greek police. The Greek government, acting partly on Mr Ryan's advice, recently passed legislation to centralise the command of its security forces in the lead-up to the Games.
An IOC vice president, Australian Kevan Gosper, said he believed Mr Ryan would do a good job. He had the highest regard for Mr Ryan's work on the Sydney Olympics.
THE appointment of former NSW police commissioner Peter Ryan as security chief for the Athens Olympics has renewed the controversy over his departure.
Mr Ryan's six years at the helm of the NSW police ended on April 17 with a $455,000 payout. The size of the payout and the circumstances of his departure have been a headache for the NSW Government.
A spokesman for NSW Police Minister Michael Costa said yesterday they had been unaware of any final job offers made to Mr Ryan, although there had obviously been speculation.
"It is a matter for him," the spokesman said. "Mr Ryan said at the time of his departure that he was open to offers. We wish the former commissioner well."
Opposition police spokesman Andrew Tink called on Premier Bob Carr and Mr Costa to reveal what they knew of the negotiations between Mr Ryan and Olympic organisers.
"Mr Costa started out by saying that Mr Ryan resigned, and then that he had been terminated. They must indicate what they knew about his job negotiations. It may shed some light."
The International Olympic Committee lured Mr Ryan to advise on security at the recent Winter Games in Salt Lake City and for the Athens Games after thepolice commissioner delivered watertight security at the 2000 Games in Sydney.
He flew to Athens early this month for a three-day audit of Greece's $1.3 million security plan.
Mr Ryan's appointment is understood to have met with some opposition from Greek police. The Greek government, acting partly on Mr Ryan's advice, recently passed legislation to centralise the command of its security forces in the lead-up to the Games.
An IOC vice president, Australian Kevan Gosper, said he believed Mr Ryan would do a good job. He had the highest regard for Mr Ryan's work on the Sydney Olympics.
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Love Your Kids, Be Justifiably Outraged, Take Action, Dads On The Air, 29 April, 2002.



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Friday, 19 April 2002

First, the good Noosa - if you have a cash stash, The Australian, 19 April, 2002.

First, the good Noosa - if you have a cash stash: [1 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 19 Apr 2002: 24.
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Owner Sean Rothsey, 42, largest landholder in the Noosa shire, is moving his operation, known as Merkin Pastoral Land, to the Lake District of the Brisbane Valley, where he purchased the station Eskdale West earlier this year for $2.6 million.
The adjoining Whyamba Station is, according to one real estate observer, "arguably one of the most stunning, multi-million dollar private and exclusive Noosa retreats to be found in this blue-chip precinct".
Country class: The 16-room Queenslander that stands amid landscaped gardens at Whyamba Station, one of a parcel of three properties for sale in the Noosa shire.On the move: Sean Rothsey; Photo: Photo
* Rural
ONE of the largest parcels of land ever to come up for sale in the Noosa district is to be auctioned at the end of the month.
The three properties, Beauty Falls, Highfield Station and Whyamba Station, are expected to fetch between $7.5 and $9 million.
It is the vendor's preference that the properties be sold together and there is already an offer on the table.
Owner Sean Rothsey, 42, largest landholder in the Noosa shire, is moving his operation, known as Merkin Pastoral Land, to the Lake District of the Brisbane Valley, where he purchased the station Eskdale West earlier this year for $2.6 million.
Mr Rothsey has paid considerable attention to the environmental aspects of the properties now for sale.
Originally from Sydney, he made his fortune in ship broking. He left Sydney in 1992 and settled in the Bahamas for three years, intending to retire.
Returning to Sydney in 1995, partly because of concerns about his daughter's education, he soon decided, like a lot of other people intent on fleeing the city, that "there had to be a better life".
Thus it was he bought the three Noosa properties in order to provide a critical mass for his cattle operations and also because he thought they might be a good investment.
He says unimproved land in the shire was worth around $8750 a hectare in 1995. It's now worth $32,000 a hectare.
"It has proved a good investment," Mr Rothsey says.
"There has been phenomenal growth. Everyone in Australia loves Noosa. Since September 11 a lot of people are looking for somewhere in the country which feels safe, particularly Asians and people from Hong Kong."
Beauty Falls is flanked on three sides by national and state parks, sharing the north-east slopes of majestic Cooroy Mountain.
A National Heritage Trust funded reafforestation program has recently been completed to ensure water quality and protect the platypus habitats and wildlife corridor.
The property has a three-bedroom cottage and substantial cattle yards.
The adjoining Whyamba Station is, according to one real estate observer, "arguably one of the most stunning, multi-million dollar private and exclusive Noosa retreats to be found in this blue-chip precinct".
The gated residence is an enormous five-year-old, 16-room, 1340 square metre Queenslander with landscaped gardens, a 45-metre pool, spa, sauna and gymnasium, all complemented by spectacular views.
The property also features an Olympic standard dressage arena, modern stables, new cattle yards, a caretaker's home and dams covered with water lilies.
Less than 10 minutes away is the 45-hectare Highfield Station, which is being pitched at retiring graziers, horse enthusiasts or lifestyle seekers.
The homestead, a four-bedroom Queenslander with timber floors and wraparound verandahs, is set 1km down its own private road. An inground pool, established gardens, expanses of lawn and a string of lily-covered ponds form the sub-tropical backdrop.
If the properties end up being sold separately, agent Ian Cumming of Ray White Rural said the ranges are likely to be: Whyamba, $3.5 million to $4 million; Beauty Falls, $2.3 million to $2.6 million; and Highfields, $1.4 million to $1.7 million.
The "Noosa factor", with its world class beaches and world class facilities, is what what is driving the "phenomenal" increases in value, says Mr Cumming.
"Noosa is a great place to live and a 100 per cent guaranteed investment, there's no question about that."
Illustration
Caption: Country class: The 16-room Queenslander that stands amid landscaped gardens at Whyamba Station, one of a parcel of three properties for sale in theNoosa shire.On the move: Sean Rothsey; Photo: PhotoF
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Thursday, 18 April 2002

Greenpeace bids to block reactor, The Australian, 18 April, 2002.

Greenpeace bids to block reactor: [1 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 18 Apr 2002: 5.
Show highlighting
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) approved a licence for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to build the reactor earlier this month.
The original Lucas Heights reactor began operating in 1958 and the isotopes obtained from it are used, among other things, for thediagnosis and treatment of diseases such as thyroid cancer, as well as the detection of cracks in pipes, bridges, roads and aircraft. Operators plan to phase it out once the replacement reactor begins operating in 2006.
GREENPEACE has launched a Federal Court challenge against the granting of a construction licence to build a replacement nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in southern Sydney.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) approved a licence for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to build the reactor earlier this month.
The Federal Court yesterday granted Greenpeace an expedited hearing for next month.
Greenpeace barrister Patrick Larkin told the court that the hearing was necessary because construction had already begun and millions of taxpayer dollars would be wasted if the project was subsequently declared unlawful.
The original Lucas Heights reactor began operating in 1958 and the isotopes obtained from it are used, among other things, for thediagnosis and treatment of diseases such as thyroid cancer, as well as the detection of cracks in pipes, bridges, roads and aircraft. Operators plan to phase it out once the replacement reactor begins operating in 2006.
Greenpeace nuclear campaigner James Courtney claimed there were serious problems with ANSTO's nuclear waste management and that the nuclear industry could not manage radioactive waste.
"There is no way of making it safe," he claimed. "The waste produced by the new reactor in the form of spent nuclear fuel rods can't be reprocessed in France, it's illegal to send it to Argentina, and no state in Australia will accept the waste for storage."
A spokesman for ANSTO said it had been issued with a licence to commence work on the construction of a replacement research reactor and was proceeding to an agreed schedule.
"ANSTO is confident that the Federal Court will confirm that the construction licence issued by ARPANSA is valid," he said.
A spokesman for ARPANSA said that, on legal advice, he could not comment.
Earlier this month, ARPANSA chief executive officer John Loy said in making the decision to proceed with the new reactor, he had been obliged by law to investigate issues of health and safety, and had been assisted by detailed technical assessments conducted through the International Atomic Energy Agency, among others. Seismic analysis, accident analysis and fuel and waste management were all investigated.
He said a large number of public submissions had been important in focusing his assessment on safety issues. He said the reactor met international best practice in radiation protection and nuclear safety.
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Monday, 15 April 2002

What is the matter with Boys? What is the matter with DOCS? What is the matter with our judiciary? Dads On The Air, 15 April, 2002.





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Friday, 12 April 2002

No picnic at Black Rock: owners must sell, The Australian, 12 April, 2002.

No picnic at Black Rock: owners must sell: [1 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 12 Apr 2002: 28.
Show highlighting
AS a boy, former Australian prime minister Ben Chifley used to live and play on Black Rock, a fine wool-grazing property 36km north of Bathurst.
"It has a great historical feel while having all the mod-cons," Mr [Yvonne Taylor] said. The property is securely watered, with creeks, dams and springs. It features elevated grazing country and timbered hills overlooking picturesque valleys and lucerne flats.
Cometh the hour:As a child in the late 19th century, former prime minister Ben Chifley, inset, lived on the Black Rock property where a seven-bedroom home now stands; Photo: Photo
* Rural
AS a boy, former Australian prime minister Ben Chifley used to live and play on Black Rock, a fine wool-grazing property 36km north of Bathurst.
Between the ages of six and 13 Ben Chifley attended the local school for half the week while helping his grandfather bag potatoes for the other half.
The ruins of his grandfather's house are still on the property. No doubt he would be amazed at the present asking price for the property -- $1.6 million. Black Rock is named after a large granite feature on the property stained black from thousands of years of water running over it.
The oldest title on the property dates back to 1868, although its history is believed to go back to the 1840s.
The property was bought by Granville and Yvonne Taylor in 1999 from the Proud family of jewellery fame as part of the couple's retirement plans.
Mr Taylor is a stockbroker and director with Sydney firm Lodge Partners. Health problems have forced the couple to sell, reluctantly.
"It's a very hard decision for us," said Mr Taylor. "We will be extremely sorry to leave.
"For the views and the ambience, it's one of the best places in NSW. It's a scenic property, as well as being productive. We picked one of the best spots in thestate for our long-term future and we've had to change our plans."
The property is set up to run 5000 merino sheep, but the Taylors, who say making money out of the property was not their first priority, have been running about 1000 Angora goats instead. Some of the Angoras will stay with the property.
One of the main features of the property is the massive 100 square, seven-bedroom main house, built in 1985 from bricks culled from old buildings in Bathurst and with 360-degree views.
The house alone is insured for $800,000.
"It has a great historical feel while having all the mod-cons," Mr Taylor said. The property is securely watered, with creeks, dams and springs. It features elevated grazing country and timbered hills overlooking picturesque valleys and lucerne flats.
There is also a shearing shed, sheep and cattle yards, shearers quarters, a machinery shed, stables and an additional two-bedroom house.
Rural property specialist David Nolan said the level of inquiry about the property was as strong as he had ever seen.
Illustration
Caption: Cometh the hour:As a child in the late 19th century, former prime minister Ben Chifley, inset, lived on the Black Rock property where a seven-bedroom home now stands; Photo: Photo
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