<24th June 1996 - Today's Headlines from Australia's first Internet daily

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Monday 24th June 1996

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International:

Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday accepted the blame for the mix-up which led to the resignation of the ambassador appointee to Indonesia after his anti-Soharto views were disclosed. The withdrawal of Miles Kupa as the ambassador to Jakarta "was a bit embarrassing" and Downer promised that the selection process would be reviewed.

The row comes at a sensitive time for Soharto as the establishment faces a very real threat from an opposition candidate, Megawati Sukarnoputri - the daughter of Indonesia's charismatic founding leader, Sukarno.

Jakarta is still recovering from Thursday's bloody riots when Megawati supporters clashed with authorities.

Political:

The Federal Government has been forced to rule out changes to aged pensions recommended by its own commission of audit into the economy.

A spokeswoman for Social Security Minister Jocelyn Newman said yesterday that there would be no change to the current system of getting aged pensions at a quarter of the average male wage.

This was despite Friday's handing down of a commission of audit report into the economy which suggested splitting the pension into two levels to help deal with rising costs associated with the nation's ageing population.

Business:

The Queensland government is expected to move back into the market today to snap up Metway shares - but it is limited to a holding of 10%. Market sources connected with the takeover battle for Metway claimed yesterday that there would be little point in the Government stopping at the 4.5% level that it reached on Friday.

This move would almost certainly ensure that the merger plans proposed by the Queensland State Government would be approved when shareholders vote on the options available to them later this week.

Sport:

A great day at the race track yesterday with the Audis once again showing their dominance at the Super Touring Car Championship at Lakeside in Queensland. We were there to report the race and the news releases include pictures taken on the track.

Social:

The Australian Family Court faces a shake-up with the Court's Chief Justice being stripped of his administrative power after complaints about the closure of registries. The registries at Mackay and provincial cities in Victoria and New South Wales were shut after it was reported that the Family Court faced million dollar budget cuts.

Services in other country areas were also to be slashed.

Government MPs representing marginal electorates affected by the decision immediately complained to Federal Attorney-General Daryl Williams in a bid to protect the Family Court's budget.

Global Gripe of the day:

Seems like the self proclaimed "Queen of hearts"- Princess Di is being sidelined by the queen.

I couldn't have put it better myself that these comments by a Royal watcher last night:
"This stuff in the London Sunday Times is obviously whingeing directly from Diana - her complaining that she's being sidelined."

"Well, for goodness sake, what can she expect? After the disrepute she has brought upon the Royal Family, can she really expect otherwise?"

Totally agree...

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another quiet day in the global office enjoying a fairly blustery day outside - but pleasantly warm never the less.

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