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an Aussie's viewpoint on Australia's first daily Internet newspaper
Since October 1995

Monday 1st April 1996

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International:

The Australian telecommunications industry has been shaken soundly by a massive shake-up by the world's largest merger a Au$70 billion marriage between British Telecom and Cable & Wireless. The deal means an effective change in ownership of Australia's pay TV carrier, Optus Vision and could have major ramifications for the proposed sale of a third of Telstra. The British companies have key interests in the Australian market. Cable & Television owns the majority in Optus Vision while British Telecom have a 50% share in News Limited's Foxtel pay TV.

Political:

We have a really strange political system here. The Liberal/National Coalition were voted in with an effective 53% majority just a month ago. They are trying to pull the country out of the Keating/Hawke led dark ages yet you have a system which leaves the Democrats with less than a handful of seats in the "upper house" with the power to force another election! The Democrats leader, Cheryl Kernot, warned yesterday that she was prepared to force a double dissolution election rather than agree to the Au$8 billion partial privatisation of Telecom.

Business:

Home loans became 3.3% more affordable in Australia in the December quarter according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia. The study showed that the average home loan decreased by 0.8% compared with the previous quarter. In Queensland the average home loan dropped from Au$982 to Au$939 per month while family income required to meet repayments fell from Au$47,144 to Au$45,070.

Sport:

The Indy Carnival 1996 was a bit of a fizz for those on the Internet this year. We were inundated with email from frustrated racing fans requesting whether it was being covered on the net this year. Well, the answer, we believe to the best of our understanding, is no. You can always visit the 1995 Indy Carnival web site - many of this year's drivers portfolios are provided there. This year's winner was Jimmy Vasser who led for most of the race.

Social:

Men can literally think themselves to death by overtaxing their brains is a controversial new theory put forward by Professor Ruben Gur. Gur believes that the result is burnout of cells which causes men to die 5 years before women - on average! His theory, not surprisingly is hotly contested in scientific circles!

Personal trivia:

Busy day in the Global Office in front of the computer yesterday. Perfect, relaxing day with beautiful weather, Enya Playing and, in the afternoon, a glass of wine! Another great day ahead - yes and it will be enjoyed from the Global Office!

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