NSW: CBD metro left off major rail project list

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2009
NSW: CBD metro left off major rail project list

SYDNEY, April 26 AAP - The absence of the NSW government's CBD metro plans from a list
of major rail projects to be funded by the federal government is evidence there is little
confidence in the project, the state opposition says.

The $4.8 billion CBD metro project recently came under fire after Fairfax media reported
changes needed at Central Station for it to go ahead were impossible.

Premier Nathan Rees denied the claim.

"The notion that the work required for the CBD metro is impossible is absolutely wrong," he said.

"The CBD metro will be a terrific new piece of infrastructure for Sydney, aimed at
getting people around our terrific city more easily and easing congestion on our roads."

State opposition transport spokesperson Gladys Berejiklian said the project was dubious
given federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese had not included it on a list of
26 major rail projects for federal funding.

"This omission confirms the Federal Government has no confidence in the State Labor
Government to deliver public transport," she said in a statement on Sunday.

"The State Labor Government did not do its homework regarding the viability of this
project, nor did they submit an adequate submission.

"Not one new rail link has been finished by the NSW Labor Government in 14 years, and
not one of their transport projects have ever been delivered on time."

She called on Mr Rees to commit to a South West and North West rail link.

AAP bc/apm

KEYWORD: METRO

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Teenager charged over train stabbing death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2008
NSW: Teenager charged over train stabbing death

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a teenager
stabbed to death during a fight on a train in Sydney's south-west.

A 17-year-old Marrickville boy was stabbed in the chest during a fight between two
groups of teenagers on a train at Campsie Railway Station at 5.30pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

He was taken to St George Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.

Police questioned all passengers in the first carriage of the train, where the fight
broke out, and arrested several youths.

A 16-year-old boy has since been charged with murder, affray and custody of a knife
in a public place.

He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Children's Court on Monday.

Five other teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, have been charged with affray.

AAP ab/ao

KEYWORD: STABBED

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Ten: Tennis results = 4

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2008
Ten: Tennis results = 4

Men's singles

Semi-final

12-Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) bt 8-James Blake (USA) 4-6 7-5 11-9

Men's doubles

Quarter-final

4-Roger Federer/Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) bt 7-Mahesh Bhupathi/Leander Paes (IND) 6-2 6-4

Women's singles

Quarter-final

6-Dinara Safina (RUS) bt 2-Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-2 5-7 6-3

Women's doubles

2nd rd

2-Serena Williams/Venus Williams (USA) bt Ayumi Morita/Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 7-5 6-2

Quarter-final

6-Alona Bondarenko/Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) bt Flavia Pennetta/Francesca Schiavone
(ITA) 6-1 3-6 7-5

more mg

KEYWORD: OLYR08 TEN RESULTS 4 BEIJING

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

WA: Unions criticise Carpenter's choice for Morley

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2008
WA: Unions criticise Carpenter's choice for Morley

PERTH, April 7 AAP - Unions have criticised the West Australian premier for ignoring
local Labor Party members and backing a prominent Perth journalist for preselection in
the next state election.

Seven Network former chief political reporter and weekend newsreader Reece Whitby has
been recruited by Premier Alan Carpenter to Labor's ranks to contest the new metropolitan
seat of Morley.

A preselection win for Mr Whitby, 43, would likely see him stand against former Labor
minister turned independent MP John D'Orazio.

Mr D'Orazio was sacked as police minister last May and was later forced to resign from
the ALP over allegations he had driven his car while his licence was suspended because
of non-payment of fines.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) WA secretary Kevin Reynolds
today said Labor's candidate should be someone who had a long-standing commitment to the
party and not someone parachuted in by Mr Carpenter.

Mr Whitby currently is not a member of the ALP but says he plans to join imminently.

Unions WA secretary Dave Robinson said he was concerned local party branches had not
been consulted.

"Party processes should be adhered to," Mr Robinson said.

Mr Whitby said the ALP was big enough to include people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

"There are people who are very decent and who have honourable intentions who come through
the union movement and also through the factional system," Mr Whitby told ABC Radio.

"But I think the party is big enough not just to include those people, but to also
include ... other people who have other life experiences, professional experience, who
might have lived a life outside that party structure, who might have some skills and something
to bring to the party."

Mr D'Orazio says Mr Whitby currently lives in the beachside suburb of Cottesloe and
has no connection to Morley.

But Mr Whitby argues he would bring a fresh perspective to the electorate.

He has been taken off all reporting duties and will meet with Network Seven Perth managing
director Chris Warton today to decide his future.

"We'll see what's most appropriate," Mr Warton said.

AAP np/maur/cdh

KEYWORD: WHITBY UNIONS

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: PM advised on the purr-fect move for Jasper and Abby

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2007
Fed: PM advised on the purr-fect move for Jasper and Abby

By Sandra O'Malley

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - The move from Brisbane's Norman Park to The Lodge may be difficult
for Kevin, Therese and Marcus, but spare a thought for Abby and Jasper.

Abby the golden retriever and Jasper the cat will be the first pets to roam the gardens
of the prime ministerial residence since the Keatings and their dog, Reuben, left The
Lodge in 1996.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, his wife Therese Rein and their youngest son Marcus will
soon move into their new Canberra home after the Howards packed up last week.

Ms Rein was in Canberra last week checking out schools for 13-year-old Marcus but two
other members of the household may also need a bit of help adjusting to their new lifestyle.

Throughout the six-week campaign, Mr Rudd often referred to the "crazy" pets who joined
the rest of the family when they gathered on the verandah of the Norman Park home for
a family conference.

"We've got this crazy dog whose name is Abby. She's a golden retriever," he told Rove McManus.

"She's our guard dog and ever since our security detail arrived from the Australian
Federal Police for this campaign she's licked them all to death and regarded them all
as members of the family.

"(And) we've got this crazy cat whose name is Jasper."

Michael Linke, chief executive of RSPCA ACT, says routine and familiarity will be key
to easing the transition from Brisbane to Canberra for Jasper and Abby.

"Some of the things they could do, especially for the dog, is make sure it has familiar
things (around)," he said.

"Its bed, its toys, its water bowl, its food bowl should all come down, so there's
familiarity for the golden retriever."

After more than a decade without pets on the property, Mr Linke said it would be wise
to ensure there were no animal-sized escape routes from the Lodge, which faces on to the
busy Canberra thoroughfare, Adelaide Avenue.

"They should make sure there are no crooks and crannies they can get stuck in or (escape
from) ... especially for the cat, as cats are quite agile critters," he said.

Australia's new first family might also have to bone up on pet laws in the ACT as it
is mandatory in some Canberra suburbs - although not yet in Forrest - to keep cats indoors.

If in doubt, Mr Linke has offered to brief the new prime minister on how to best ease
the move for the smallest members of the family.

AAP so/sb/cjh/sp

KEYWORD: LABOR RUDD PETS

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Main stories 2200 Magic 1278 Melbourne news

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2007
Main stories 2200 Magic 1278 Melbourne news

Ghost boat being towed to shore



Nelson in Baghdad



Hicks' father to fight on for his son



Nasa's suicide murder



Sport: Essendon upsets St Kilda



AAP RTV wz

KEYWORD: MONITOR 2200 1278 MEL (SYDNEY)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Main stories in today's 1300 2GB News

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
Main stories in today's 1300 2GB News

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - Main stories in today's 1300 2GB News:

- There is a surprise billion dollar boost in the federal Budget surplus despite concerns
about the drought's impact.

- Rising interest rates are being blamed for NSW's slow economic growth, with the state
government cutting its growth forecast by one per cent.

- Melbourne man Jack Thomas, who was jailed on terror charges then released following
an appeal, will face a retrial in Melbourne in the new year.

- A new report reveals hospital workers are more willing to report incidents of compromised
patient safety.

- A NSW Labor MP charged with assault says he was only trying to prevent his partner
from committing suicide.

- A teenager caught on film assaulting a man on a train during the Cronulla riot faces
jail time after being found guilty of riot and affray.

- Treasurer Peter Costello laughs off an international campaign to boycott Australian
wool, headed by pop star Pink.

- Father of David Hicks believes his son is at breaking point.

- Police urge motorists to take care during the holiday season.

- There are fears that the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne could be marred by smoke from
bushfires burning in the state's south-east.

AAP cj/was

KEYWORD: MONITOR 2GB 1300

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.