Monday, 21 March 2005

Habib uses Palm Sunday to offer thanks, The Australian, 21 March, 2005.

Habib uses Palm Sunday to offer thanks: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 21 Mar 2005: 2.
Show highlighting
FORMER Guantanamo Bay inmate Mamdouh Habib was cheered yesterday at a Palm Sunday protest to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
Mr Habib did not forget fellow Australian David Hicks, awaiting trial by military tribunal in the US naval base in Cuba.
Prim Minister John Howard said the rallies were recognition that not everyone agreed with his government's position, but he remained steadfast in his view that his decision to join the war in Iraq was the right one. He described the sight of Iraqis holding up ink- stained fingers after they had voted on January 30 as inspiring.
FORMER Guantanamo Bay inmate Mamdouh Habib was cheered yesterday at a Palm Sunday protest to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
Mr Habib flashed V for victory on stage in Sydney and thank those who fought for his release in January.
"Thank you everyone in Australia for supporting me to come back home," he said to loud cheers.
"I am here today to thank everybody. I really appreciated what was done for me. My country, my home, my family, I appreciate everyone that stands up for me."
Mr Habib did not forget fellow Australian David Hicks, awaiting trial by military tribunal in the US naval base in Cuba.
"And I stand up for David Hicks to come back home," he said.
"I can't say more than that. I can say that I love Australia, the people in Australia. You are my family. I am very proud of the Australianpeople who stood up for me and helped bring me back home."
The crowd of about 600 at Sydney's Hyde Park yesterday was one of a number of anti-war protests across the nation.
Prim Minister John Howard said the rallies were recognition that not everyone agreed with his government's position, but he remained steadfast in his view that his decision to join the war in Iraq was the right one. He described the sight of Iraqis holding up ink- stained fingers after they had voted on January 30 as inspiring.
"The people of Iraq will be given the right to live their lives in freedom," he said.
"That would not have happened if the Coalition had not taken the action it did."
In South Australia, protesters marched on Foreign Minister Alexander Downer's office demanding the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
"The Australian people won't forget that the war that this government has taken us into is an illegal war, that the people of Iraq continue to pay the price of this war," Mike Khizam, convenor of No War, said.
"Australia should have an independent foreign policy and should not just be an unquestioning accomplice of American foreign policy adventures."
Posted by at No comments:

Police probe family tragedy on 'millionaires row', The Australian, 21 March, 2005. Additional Reporting.

Police probe family tragedy on `millionaires row': [1 All-round Country Edition]

Natasha Robinson, Elizabeth Gosch, Additional reporting: John Stapleton. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T.[Canberra, A.C.T] 21 Mar 2005: 3.
NSW police were investigating last night a suspected triple murder-suicide after relatives discovered the bodies of a husband, wife and two young children at their home on a semi-rural street known as "millionaires row".
The couple had moved in about one year ago after building their home in the newest part of the estate on Forest Hill Drive, Oakhampton Heights, just outside Newcastle.
Superintendent Charlie Haggett said police were investigating the possibility that the deaths were a murder-suicide.

Full Text

NSW police were investigating last night a suspected triple murder-suicide after relatives discovered the bodies of a husband, wife and two young children at their home on a semi-rural street known as "millionaires row".
The bodies of a man, 32, a woman, 35, a four-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl were found at their new homestead in an exclusive estate in the Hunter Valley.
"It was discovered about 2.30pm this afternoon by family members. Forensics officers are at the scene now," senior constable Michael Kelly said last night.
The couple had moved in about one year ago after building their home in the newest part of the estate on Forest Hill Drive, Oakhampton Heights, just outside Newcastle.
The little girl celebrated her third birthday a fortnight ago.
A neighbour who had lived on the street for about five years said police and ambulances arrived about 3pm yesterday.
"We haven't been told anything officially but everyone is saying it is murder-suicide," the neighbour said.
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the couple had built their home after buying into the new subdivision about 18 months ago.
"They're only a young family; they (the children) were only tiny little things."
Another neighbour said: "He used to wave or beep his horn when he drove past but she never did."
Crime scene officers roped off the house yesterday afternoon as they began investigating the deaths.
Superintendent Charlie Haggett said police were investigating the possibility that the deaths were a murder-suicide.
Senior crime officers arrived at the scene shortly before dusk.
Posted by at No comments:

Lightfoot records withheld, The Australian, 21 March, 2005.

Lightfoot records withheld: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Elisabeth Wynhausen, John Stapleton. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 21 Mar 2005: 4.
Show highlighting
LIBERAL senator Ross Lightfoot's companion on the mission to smuggle $US20,000 ($25,200) into Iraq for Woodside Petroleum has refused to produce the records which he says prove it was him, not the West Australian senator, who carried the cash.
Mr [Simko Halmet] has contended that when Woodside decided to make a donation to a hospital in Halabja, he alone was responsible for dealing with the money. The $US20,000 went into his bank account until it was possible to carry it into Iraq, he said, suggesting that Senator Lightfoot's visit to the area was the first chance to do so.
LIBERAL senator Ross Lightfoot's companion on the mission to smuggle $US20,000 ($25,200) into Iraq for Woodside Petroleum has refused to produce the records which he says prove it was him, not the West Australian senator, who carried the cash.
Simko Halmet, the Australian representative of the Kurdish Regional Government, said if there were an investigation he would show pertinent bank statements and other documents to government officials.
"When the federal police come, I'll show them," he told The Australian yesterday.
Senator Lightfoot last week denied he had boasted to two News Limited journalists, including to this newspaper's Middle East correspondent Nicolas Rothwell, that he acted as a courier, taking part of the donation for a Kurdish hospital into Iraq after sewing it into the lining of his jacket.
But Mr Halmet has insisted that the senator wasn't involved in the transactions.
Mr Halmet has contended that when Woodside decided to make a donation to a hospital in Halabja, he alone was responsible for dealing with the money. The $US20,000 went into his bank account until it was possible to carry it into Iraq, he said, suggesting that Senator Lightfoot's visit to the area was the first chance to do so.
He denied he was taking the fall for Senator Lightfoot. "Why should I?" he said.
The Opposition yesterday accused John Howard of refusing to back an inquiry into the matter in order to protect the Government's Senate majority. Labor's deputy leader Jenny Macklin called for an inquiry to get to the bottom of the conflicting versions of events.
"John Howard should stop running away from this inquiry and make sure that it is properly investigated," she told the Nine Network.
Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson said that the Government accepted Senator Lightfoot's statement on the issue. "I don't see that you can take it much further at this stage," Mr Anderson told Channel Seven.
In Sydney yesterday the Prime Minister said he had no further comment on the matter -- "because I believe his response to theallegations is credible".
Mr Halmet has said that he took $US5600, the maximum allowed without declaring it, over the Turkish border into Iraq, borrowing much of the rest from wealthy relatives in the Kurdish part of Iraq, such as his brother-in-law Mohammed Ali Kadr.
Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, 19 March 2005

Lightfoot's story has holes: Pm, Weekend Australian, 19 March, 2005

Lightfoot's story has holes: PM: [3 All-round Metro Edition]

John Kerin, John Stapleton. Weekend Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 19 Mar 2005: 4.
Senator [Ross Lightfoot] is embroiled in a scandal after News Limited papers reported allegations on Wednesday that he smuggled $US20,000 ($25,000) on behalf of Australian oil giant Woodside Petroleum as a donation to an Iraqi children's hospital in January and that he was packing a .38-calibre pistol at the time.
His revised claim that the $US20,000 was carried in by a Kurdish government official, Simko Halmet, travelling with him, were supported yesterday when Mr Halmet said Senator Lightfoot had no knowledge of it until the money changed hands.
Mr Halmet contradicted Senator Lightfoot's assertion that Mr Halmet had sewn the money into his coat pocket. The Opposition has demanded an inquiry into the affair, warning Senator Lightfoot may have breached Australian financial transaction reporting guidelines on taking cash out of Australia.

Full Text

JOHN Howard has conceded there are inconsistencies in Liberal senator Ross Lightfoot's accounts of his election observer mission to northern Iraq but has again refused to launch an investigation.
Senator Lightfoot is embroiled in a scandal after News Limited papers reported allegations on Wednesday that he smuggled $US20,000 ($25,000) on behalf of Australian oil giant Woodside Petroleum as a donation to an Iraqi children's hospital in January and that he was packing a .38-calibre pistol at the time.
It has also been revealed since the allegations were first raised that Senator Lightfoot told The Weekend Australian's Middle East correspondent, Nicolas Rothwell, at a breakfast meeting on January 30, the day of the Iraqi elections, he had handed over a "small contribution" from Woodside because he believed "it was the right thing to do".
Senator Lightfoot has since denied the smuggling claims in a statement to parliament.
And his revised claim that the $US20,000 was carried in by a Kurdish government official, Simko Halmet, travelling with him, were supported yesterday when Mr Halmet said Senator Lightfoot had no knowledge of it until the money changed hands.
But several versions of what Senator Lightfoot did with a gun lent to him by his security detail on the trip prompted Mr Howard to concede his account had been confusing.
"I would agree, having listened to the interviews, that there were some differences of emphasis," Mr Howard said.
"But the real issue -- and that is the smuggling -- he just denies that and that is at variance from what the journalists said."
Mr Howard said the only new information of any substance was from Mr Halmet.
Mr Halmet said yesterday the money was never in Senator Lightfoot's possession.
"He didn't know that I have to deliver the money except when we met the KRG (Kurdish Regional Government) Prime Minister," Mr Halmet said. Woodside had contacted KRG in Iraq wishing to make a donation to the Halabja hospital in northern Iraq. He said they then made the donation of $US20,000 which had been placed in his bank account.
Because of the lack of any banking, transfer or internet facilities in Iraq at the time and the chaos in the country it was impossible to simply transfer the money and it had to be done by hand.
But Mr Halmet contradicted Senator Lightfoot's assertion that Mr Halmet had sewn the money into his coat pocket. The Opposition has demanded an inquiry into the affair, warning Senator Lightfoot may have breached Australian financial transaction reporting guidelines on taking cash out of Australia.
The Greens have asked for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to investigate his purchase and sale of Woodsideshares at the time he was engaged in helping make favourable donations to Kurdish authorities.
Editorial -- Page 18
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 17 March 2005

Greens, farmers agree on anti-clearing compo, The Australian, 17 March, 2005.

Greens, farmers agree on anti-clearing compo - ENVIRONMENT - EARTH, AIR, WATER: [1 All-round Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 17 Mar 2005: 4.
Show highlighting
Mr [Peter Corish] said farmers controlled 60per cent of the Australian landscape, with the present policies requiring them to lock up land to preserve the environment not recognising the real costs to farmers, and limiting their ability to sustainably manage their properties. Green groups, including the Australian Conservation Foundation and WWF, said any attempt to weaken land-clearing laws were "extremely irresponsible". But they have welcomed talk of compensating farmers.

FARMERS and environmentalists have reached rare accord on a new investment package to pay farmers to restrict vegetation clearing on farmlands.
The National Farmers Federation yesterday welcomed the support of green groups for payments and incentives to farmers undertaking environmental activities.
The NFF is calling for a federal funding body to be known as the national environment management program to encourage farmers to preserve biodiversity on their land.
"At present there is no incentive or support for a farmer to manage feral animals, native grasses or biodiversity and to enhance thenatural values of these areas," NFF president Peter Corish said. "As a result, poor outcomes are achieved for farmers as well as theenvironment."
Mr Corish said farmers controlled 60per cent of the Australian landscape, with the present policies requiring them to lock up land to preserve the environment not recognising the real costs to farmers, and limiting their ability to sustainably manage their properties. Green groups, including the Australian Conservation Foundation and WWF, said any attempt to weaken land-clearing laws were "extremely irresponsible". But they have welcomed talk of compensating farmers.
"Most Australians want to help farmers to do the right thing," ACF rural landscapes officer Corey Watts said. "Most farmers understand they have a responsibility to care for the land."
WWF's landscape conservation manager Paul Toni said green groups were willing to sit down with farmers and governments to find "responsible, sustainable ways forward".
"Many farmers need more support, including financial assistance, for sustainable land management," Mr Toni said. "We believe there should be financial incentives, but the exact mechanisms are yet to be agreed, but we are keen to work with government and farmers to do so."
Posted by at No comments:

Police hit back over riots, The Australian, 17 March, 2005.

Police hit back over riots: [6 NSW Country Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 17 Mar 2005: 6.
Show highlighting
RANK-and-file police in the riot-torn suburb of Macquarie Fields in far-western Sydney have strongly backed their embattled Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, who was attacked by the NSW Opposition leader John Brogden for his alleged "softly, softly" approach.
Union organiser Mick Hilder said front-line police had condemned Mr Brogden's attacks on police and the commissioner during theunrest. "Police do not want their commissioner used as a political football," Mr Hilder said.

RANK-and-file police in the riot-torn suburb of Macquarie Fields in far-western Sydney have strongly backed their embattled Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, who was attacked by the NSW Opposition leader John Brogden for his alleged "softly, softly" approach.
At a union meeting of more than 60 officers held at the Macquarie Fields police station yesterday, police passed resolutions condemning Mr Brogden's attempts to make political mileage out of the crisis, which has enveloped the public housing estate.
Senior officers will brief NSW deputy commissioner Dave Madden today about the handling of the riots.
The suburb has remained tense since the death of two young men in a police car chase more than two weeks ago. The deaths triggered five nights of rioting and led to more than 60 arrests.
NSW Police Association vice-president Scott Webber said police raised numerous issues about staffing, resources, inadequate equipment, lack of adequate death and disability insurance, and serious operational concerns in the wake of the riots.
"When you are being belted with rocks, you want answers," Mr Webber said.
Union organiser Mick Hilder said front-line police had condemned Mr Brogden's attacks on police and the commissioner during theunrest. "Police do not want their commissioner used as a political football," Mr Hilder said.
He said Mr Moroney was highly admired as an experienced, hands- on operator who was accessible to his officers. "We don't want to be used by either party," Mr Hilder said.
Mr Brogden said he was disappointed the NSW Police Association had taken the "predictable union approach of criticising the Liberal Party, but failed to criticise senior police and the Government".
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)