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Thursday 8th August 1996

International:

So evidence has been found that there were men on Mars... that UFO's do exist and that Michael Jackson is actually an alien. So who do the scientists rush off to consult? Not ghost busters but my 'mate' Bill Clinton... yes you got it the President of the United States.

"Beam me up Scotty..." Star Trek Commander Bill Clinton at the helm. Heck what is Clinton going to do - after all he couldn't organise a chook raffle in a bar without a hoard of advisors.

Getting back to the real news, it appears that a meteorite split off from Mars about 4.5 billion years ago, zoomed around the solar system and then plunged into the Earth about 13,000 years ago. Organic material was discovered in the meteorite by NASA scientists.

Political:

The Howard Government is putting its credibility at risk if it fails to force its Budget through the Senate an influential consultancy firm said yesterday.

Access Economics said that the Government would be politically exposed if it allowed the Senate to dictate its Budget approach. That master blaster and Labor clone Democrat Leader Cheryl Kernot said that her party would join the Labor opposition in blocking Budget measures which hit the poor and disadvantaged.

Closer to home, independent Liz Cunningham crossed the floor to block a bill by the Coalition State Government of Queensland. Liz, the independent lass who holds the balance of power reminds me rather of a flibbity jibbet when she speaks but she has got her head screwed on right.

Got to tell you though the latest pictures either show her heavily pregnant or suffering the ill-effects of too many long lunches - one of the joys of being in politics. She and Labor leader Kim Beazley would make a pigeon pair in shape at the moment.

Business:

Coca Cola Amatil Ltd have posted a 26.1% increase in interim profits to post a net Au$59 million. The European operations made the greatest contribution to the profit rise.

Sport:

Our Olympic heros arrived home yesterday. The Perkin's, Kowalski's, O'Neill's, Freeman's and so on. What wonderful memories they must have and for many those lost opportunities...

Did anyone pick up on the row between David Graham and Greg Norman? Seems like Norman questioned Graham's capability as the PGA Captain and the blue got into top gear.

Graham pulled out of the PGA "in case he hit someone on the golf course". The radio stations picked up on the story and ran a competition on what action Graham would take on the golf course... there were some rather amusing and spontaneous comments floating across Australian air waves.

Social:

A council in North West Queensland has cut its rates by more than half in a bid "to maximise ratepayer happiness".

The Flinders Shire has reasoned that it is better for the council to remain in debt than its ratepayers. The radical move will save graziers thousands of dollars a year and will continue for up to three years.

Our Ipswich City Council must have the highest rates per real property value in the country and the councillors certainly voted themselves in massive perks for their 5 year stint in March this year with Au$60,000 as a starting salary.. then add cars, free use mobile phones, cars etc.... We pay nearly Au$2,000 a year in rates on each of our Ipswich properties. Compare that to Wanneroo in Western Australia where the councillors get no remuneration and our property rates are just Au$600 per annum.

Something seems a little bit inequitable somewhere.

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another day in the global office after a day on the road in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Good one at that. Liz Corrick cooked up a great dinner as Barry and I flapped our lips about greater visions and all things to all people...


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