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Since October 1995

Wednesday 15th May 1996

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International:

Rescuers clawed their way to within 200 metres of frost-bitten New Zealand climber Rob Hall before being forced to turn back during a ferocious storm on Mt Everest last weekend. Mr Hall died when he held back to help an ailing American climber, Doug Hansen, who died on the slopes of Everest with him. Mr Hall and his companion died 8400 metres up Mt Everest.

Two Brisbane based climbers who were caught up in the storm are expected to return home on Saturday. Michael Groom, one of Australia's top climbers, has frost bitten fingers and is expected to be airlifted by helicopter from the Mt Everest base camp tomorrow.

Political:

Medicare is going to rise to pay for the cost of reimbursing owners of automatic and semi-automatic guns. The average cost to Australian taxpayers is Au$70 or Au$1.40 per week. John Howard has promised that it will be a one-off cost.

What annoys me greatly is that gun sellers are reporting a boom in sales before the abholition becomes official. It is absolutely crazy to let them continue to trade in these killing machines - especially as people buying now obviously have no intention of returning them when the abholition takes place.

People buying guns now are likely to be involved in the illicit dealing of guns in the future. These outlawed guns will obviously attract a much higher price and the criminals and gangsters are the only ones who will benefit from these late sales. I trust that someone is keeping tabs on who these post-abholition decision buyers are.

Business:

Queensland's biggest company, Mount Isa Mines Holdings Limited, has been left vulnerable to takeover after United States mining house Asarco ended a 66 year relationship with it yesterday.

Asarco sold its 15.4% shareholding in MIM to institutions. Stockbrokers said that the move left MIM vulnerable as all its major shareholders now were institutions who buy and sell shares freely. Bain Securities handled the Au$414 million transaction with more than 460 million shares moving through the market.

Sport:

State of Origin fever is hitting the east coast of Australia with the New South Wales and Queensland teams gearing up for the annual "one-upmanship" show. Australian Rugby League's time in court appears set to continue with certain players unhappy that they have been passed-over because of elligibility questions.

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another perfect Queensland day faces us with blue skies and balmy warm weather. The Brisbane River has now returned to its normal level and, although still brown from the wash-off, has regained much of its old glory.

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