Fed: Govt under treaty pressure after paedophile escapes

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Fed: Govt under treaty pressure after paedophile escapes

By Rod McGuirk

CANBERRA, Feb 5 AAP - The federal government came under pressure today to strike aformal law enforcement agreement with Phnom Penh after a paedophile flew back to Australiadays before he was sentenced to 10 years' jail in Cambodia.

Clint Rex Betterridge jumped bail and crossed the Cambodian border to Thailand beforearriving back in Australia last week.

While the Cambodian authorities had seized his passport, the Australian embassy inPhnom Penh issued him with a new passport and travel documents.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison had yet to decide on what action …

Fed: Marked recovery in the hotel industry

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Fed: Marked recovery in the hotel industry

BRISBANE, Dec 5 AAP - Occupancy rates at Australian hotels had shown a marked improvementin October, according to new figures.

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) said the average occupancy rate across thenation was 79.42 per cent for October, which was the best result since September lastyear.

AHA national executive director Richard Mulcahy said the results were encouraging.

"Evidence suggests that the recovery is occurring across all market segments, particularlybusiness and domestic leisure accommodation," Mr Mulcahy said in a statement.

"The Sydney market is performing particularly well.

"Forward bookings are positive, indicating that hotels are likely to continue to performwell over the summer."

Mr Mulcahy said the average room rate was $126.90, which was low by international standards.

AAP ch/jhm/apm

KEYWORD: HOTELS

Vic: Homicide squad investigating discovery of two bodies

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Vic: Homicide squad investigating discovery of two bodies

MELBOURNE, April 30 AAP - Homicide squad detectives are treating as suspicious twobodies discovered in bushland near Marysville, north-east of Melbourne.

A police spokesman said today the bodies had been discovered early yesterday afternoon.

The spokesman would not release information on the ages or sexes of the bodies andsaid he was not aware, at this stage, who had discovered them.

However, he said the deaths were "definitely suspicious".

AAP gfr/wjf/sb

KEYWORD: BODIES

Fed: Government claims small victory over US farm bill

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Fed: Government claims small victory over US farm bill

The government has claimed a small victory over the United States farm lobby with thelatest US farm bill lasting five years rather than the feared 10.

Trade Minister MARK VAILE says he's pleased the US Senate -- which passed the billovernight -- has taken note of Australia's objections.

Mr VAILE says he lobbied senior US officials during his visit to Washington last monthand will continue to do so to head off any moves to extend subsidies to additional commodities.

As originally proposed by the US House of Representatives, the bill would have run for a decade.

Mr VAILE says the five year term will be consistent with the time frame for World TradeOrganisation negotiations.

But, he says the government remains seriously concerned about the costly protectionistand trade distorting measures in the legislation.

The US bill is bad news for Australian primary producers and could still violate WTOrules for its excessive subsidies to US farmers.

Under the bill, grain, cotton and soybean subsidy spending will rise by $5 billion a year.

AAP RTV mb/daw/aa/jh

KEYWORD: US FARM AUST (CANBERRA)

Fed: Govt offers councils grants to house oil

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2001
Fed: Govt offers councils grants to house oil

CANBERRA, Dec 18 AAP - Regional local councils could receive about $20,000 each to
build tanks to house waste oil under an offer from the federal government.

Environment Minister David Kemp is writing to regional and remote councils to apply
for federal funding to encourage them to recycle waste oil.

Under the Local Government Waste Oil Facility Grants program, about $9 million is available
to build waste oil collection facilities in country areas.

"Each year 100 million litres of oil goes missing - much of it stored in small quantities
in remote parts of Australia with little access to recycling facilities," Dr Kemp said
in a statement.

"This waste oil can do considerable environmental damage if it's not properly collected
and recycled or reused."

The grants would enable rural councils to set up safe and accessible drop-off points
for waste oil, he said.

AAP lm/daw/cjh

KEYWORD: OIL

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: No helmet exemptions for Sihks

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2001
Qld: No helmet exemptions for Sihks

BRISBANE, Aug 5 AAP - Turban-wearing Sikhs would not be granted exemptions from Queensland's
bicycle helmet laws, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

State Labor MP Warren Pitt has called for Sikhs to be granted exemptions because they
cannot fit bicycle helmets over their turbans.

Baptised male members of the Indian religion do not cut their hair, but wrap it up in turbans.

About 400 Sikhs live in Mr Pitt's Cairns-based electorate, and many of them cycle to work.

Mr Pitt said local police had not yet booked any Sikhs for not wearing helmets, even
though they were breaking Queensland's compulsory helmet laws.

In Brisbane, Mr Beattie said no exemption to the law would be granted to Sikhs as a
group, but he urged members of the faith to apply for individual exemptions.

"We're trying to save people's lives, we're not trying to pick on anybody," he said.

"The truth is if you have a helmet on, you're more likely to live.

"I know there will be cultural issues here and I'm happy to talk it through."

AAP bja/lmc/bwlt

KEYWORD: HELMETS NIGHTLEAD

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Vic: Pit bull alive, but not for long

AAP General News (Australia)
02-21-2001
Vic: Pit bull alive, but not for long

A pit-bull terrier shot twice when it attacked police in Melbourne yesterday has been
found and is recovering.

But Lost Dog's Home general manager GRAEME SMITH says there's a 95 per cent chance
the dog will be put down.

The dog was shot by a police officer when it attacked his colleague during a drug raid
on a house in Maribyrnong, in the city's inner north-west.

Dr SMITH says the dog suffered two bullet wounds - one in the jaw and one in the chest
- but it's now in a …