National Newslist for Wednesday, December 20, 2006

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
National Newslist for Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Good Morning News Editors and Chiefs of Staff.

AAP's National Newslist for today (not for publication).

This is a guide only and stories are subject to change.

AAP's news editors can be contacted on (02) 9322 8611 or (02) 9322 8610.

NATIONAL:
BUDGET:
CANBERRA - Federal government expected to slash its economic growth forecast for the current
fiscal year because of the drought, but at the same time maintained a healthy cash surplus
in its mid-year budget review released today. 1200 AEDT

BUSHFIRES:
CANBERRA - Stanhope admits systemic failures in the ACT government's lack of warnings
to Canberrans ahead of the 2003 firestorm
- Lib MP Bill Heffernan defends Stanhope, saying anyone in charge on the day of the bushfires
would have failed
MELBOURNE - Flames closing in on Gippsland town; alert increases in area
HOBART - Tasmanian firefighters battling to contain two major bushfires have less than
24 hours to reinforce containment lines before the weather flares up again tomorrow
ADELAIDE: Wind change could push fire in Adelaide Hills towards houses

MULRUNJI:
- Peter Beattie visits Palm island to explain why police officer blamed over watchhouse
death of Mulrunji Doomadgee wasn't charged. 1300-1500
- Rallies in Brisbane and Townsville over director of Public Prosecution's decision not
to charge police officer Snr Sgt chris Hurley over Mulrunji death. (1200)

INTERNATIONAL:
PARIS - Former Sydney resident Willie Brigitte to stand trial in Paris early next year
on terror charges
UN - Annan holds last press conference, says oil-for-food scandal one of his greatest regrets
LONDON - Nelson calls for more NATO countries to get involved in southern Afghanistan
- Downer says Iraqi people grateful for removal of Saddam Hussein, despite another critical
report into the incursion
- Downer: worsening instability in the south Pacific should not be over-stated; but no
threat to long-term democracy.

- Downer makes no fresh push with UK government during his London visit to try to aid
Guantanamo Bay internee David Hicks.

COURTS:
MELBOURNE:
- Court of Appeal judgment in the case where Crown is seeking retrial of terrorism charges
against Joseph Terrence Thomas
BRISBANE:
- Man charged over hoax to contaminate food at Brisbane's Top Taste bakery expected to
face committal hearing.

SYDNEY:
- Sentence for murderer Mark Esposito
- Sentence for man charged with riot and affray following an attack on a Middle Eastern
man during the Cronulla riots. Sutherland Local Court.

- Judgment in Federal Court case of Larry Williams, wanted by the US revenue service for
allegedly trying to evade tax.
PERTH:
- Two men accused of repeatedly having sex with a 14yo girl after luring her over the
internet expected to face court.

CANBERRA
- DEWR skilled vacancies for December.

- Norfolk Island's governance will remain unchanged despite months of tense negotiations
between Canberra and the Pacific Island
- Rudd says PM aspirations only began after he became Labor leader

SYDNEY
- Former ATO asst commissioner Nick Petroulias' home in NZ raided. More to come
- State treasurer Michael Costa delivers mid-year budget review
- Police Minister John Watkins launches Operation Safe Arrival Xmas campaign; opens new
operations centre with Ken Moroney
- Community Services Minister Reba Meagher and NRMA will launch an awareness campaign
on the dangers of locking kids in cars.

- Senator Barnaby Joyce will speak at a rally to support the Single Desk structure and
its management by AWB. - Finance Sector Union to urge St George Bank shareholders to reject
offshoring of jobs at its AGM in Sydney.

- Man charged with grooming children for sex after being sprung on the internet by undercover
police.

- NSW electricity companies will be required to offer customers green power options from
January, Iemma.

- NSW police investigating allegations a policeman escaped a drink-driving charge because
fellow officers failed to file court documents in time

MELBOURNE
- Vic parly sitting - question time 1400.

- Media conference with ALP health spokeswoman Nicola Roxon giving blood to the Australian
Red Cross Blood Service.

BRISBANE
- Helicopter pilot forced to shut down engine when a man forced open door from the outside
- Funeral for two brothers killed in a Brisbane road crash last week. 1100

ADELAIDE:
- Year 12 results released.

PERTH:
- Chasing story on possible changes to WA's prostitution laws.

- Three killed on WA roads overnight.

FINANCE
ECONOMIC NEWS:
SYDNEY - AiG/PricewaterhouseCoopers Survey of Australian Manufacturing for the December
is due today.

SYDNEY - The Westpac-Melbourne Institute leading index for October is due today.

EQUITIES NEWS:
SYDNEY - Australia's fifth biggest bank St George Bank Ltd will hold its annual general
meeting today.

SYDNEY - Multiplex agrees to an enforceable undertaking with the corporations watchdog,
following an investigation into its disclosures relating to the Wembley project in the
UK.

SYDNEY - Smorgon Steel Group Ltd is to acquire the operating assets of US company Industrial
Metal Recyclers, Inc for an undisclosed sum.

SYDNEY - Macquarie Goodman Group has established a new European industrial property fund
with equity commitments allowing it to hold euro 1.2 billion ($A2.02 billion) when fully
invested.

MELBOURNE - Mayne Pharma Ltd shareholders gather today for a scheme meeting on Hospira
Inc's bid for the company.

MELBOURNE - Fertiliser group Incitec Pivot Ltd will hold its annual general meeting today.

SPORT:
CRICKET
MELBOURNE - Ashes news with England team in Melbourne ahead of Boxing Day Test, plus England
expected to name 16-man squad for tri series with Michael Vaughan tipped to return as
skipper
MELBOURNE - Merv Hughes at launch of "Merv's Walk to the G", MCG, 1200 AEDT
MELBOURNE - Ford Ranger Cup match: Vics v NSW, MCG, day-nighter
HOBART - Pura Cup match: Tas v WA, Bellerive Oval, day 2

SOCCER
SYDNEY - Teleconference with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold following draw for Asian Cup overnight

TENNIS
SYDNEY - Interview with No.2 Rafael Nadal ahead of Australian tennis summer

SAILING
SYDNEY - Presser to give long range weather forecast for Sydney to Hobart race, CYCA, 1100 AEDT

RUGBY
GOSFORD - NSWRU to announce coach for Central Coast based team in new Australian Rugby
Championship, Central Coast Stadium, 1000 AEDT

GOLF
POKOLBIN, NSW - Jack Newton on Adam Scott's major championship prospects

BASKETBALL
NBL matches:-
WOLLONGONG - Wollongong v Adelaide, WIN Ent Centre, 1940 AEDT
MELBOURNE - South Dragons v Brisbane, Vodafone Arena, 1930 AEDT
SINGAPORE - Singapore v West Sydney, Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2300 AEDT

AMERICAN FOOTBALL
SYDNEY - Mat McBriar has become only the second Australian to be selected for the NFL Pro Bowl
AAP jlw

KEYWORD: NATIONAL NEWSLIST

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