The News Review:
- Counting continues in Tasmania’s council elections
- Betting exchange demands access all areas
- … Energy Announces Phase Two of Its Exploration Drilling…
- Abbot denies AWA move
- GREENS MVE T REFER ICAC ESTABLISHMENT T LAW REFRM INSTITUTE
- Costello won’t reveal PM deal
Counting continues in Tasmania’s council elections
ABC nline – ABC nline – Oct 30, 2007
The Electoral Commissioner Bruce Taylor says the number of votes appears to be down about 1. But he says that’s a good return considering the timing of the Federal Election. Mr Taylor says counting will start this afternoon and initial results should come through before 11 o’clock tonight. “We hope to have most of the mayors and deputy mayor positions resolved although some of the deputy mayors with large numbers of candidates may not be finished until tomorrow” he said.
Betting exchange demands access all areas
Sydney Morning Herald – Oct 30, 2007
Asimilar proposal was being put to the NSW Government. “We are not looking for a licence in NSW’ he said. “We alreadyhave a licence in Tasmania. We were asked by NSW Racing and by theminister’s office to put a proposal in for race fields. The Western Australian Government claimed that betting exchangesthreatened the integrity of racing in the state. Earlier this month a Hobart bookmaker was cleared of using theexchange to place bets during a local harness racing meeting theABC reported. In the investigation into the case Betfair providedRacing Tasmania with a list of all bets on the night inquestion.
… Energy Announces Phase Two of Its Exploration Drilling…
earthtimes.org – Oct 30, 2007
The bid documents were received from (1) Hunt Energy (2) Century Drillingand (3) Ensign International Energy Services. The tenders have beenevaluated for commercial competitiveness and ranked as shown above. None of the bidders have responded as requested choosing to offer day-ratedrilling solutions instead of the full turnkey as we had originallyrequested due to perceived exploration drilling risk(s) that may beassociated with our blocks. Due to the non-conformance of bid documents GSLM will now negotiate newterms and conditions with the winner and if a reasonable agreement cannotbe reached within 2 weeks GSLM will undertake to negotiate the same withthe two runners-up.
Abbot denies AWA move
The Australian – Oct 30, 2007
The commonwealth formally takes over control of the hospital in Tasmania’s north-west on Thursday but the state government yesterday said the deal could collapse. Tasmanian Health Minister Lara Giddings said a dispute over Australian Workplace Agreements could scuttle the move. She said the federal health department had said the staff had to be employed on AWAs despite Mr Abbott promising they would not. Mr Abbott today said Ms Giddings’ comments were "absolutely wrong" and no plan existed to put Mersey workers on AWAs. "We thought we had an agreement with the Tasmanian government but they now appear to be reneging" he said. "ne way or another we will make this work… She said the federal health department had said the staff had to be employed on AWAs despite Mr Abbott promising they would not. Mr Abbott today said Ms Giddings’ comments were "absolutely wrong" and no plan existed to put Mersey workers on AWAs. "We thought we had an agreement with the Tasmanian government but they now appear to be reneging" he said. "ne way or another we will make this work. "There is a mechanism to declare that people are temporarily employees of the commonwealth and to set their conditions and that’s the mechanism we will use if the Tasmanian government continues to be unco-operative. module-content –>.
GREENS MVE T REFER ICAC ESTABLISHMENT T LAW REFRM INSTITUTE
Tasmanian Greens – Oct 30, 2007
Greens pposition Leader Peg Putt MHA vowed that the Greens will continue their quest for an ICAC-style body and are reinforced in their campaign by the comments of the NSW Premier that states like Tasmania are ‘crazy’ not to put such corruption safeguards in place. Ms Putt intends to move for debate on the motion in Greens’ Private Members Time tomorrow afternoon. “Tasmania desperately needs an independent anti-corruption body to ensure high standards of propriety in public life and to investigate alleged instances of public sector corruption and Paul Lennon’s continued refusal to set one up is prompting questions about why he won’t ” Ms Putt said. “As Lennon Labor obviously needs persuasion to set up an ICAC-style body the best step to take now is to refer this to the Tasmania Law Reform Institute for inquiry and recommendations… Greens pposition Leader Peg Putt MHA vowed that the Greens will continue their quest for an ICAC-style body and are reinforced in their campaign by the comments of the NSW Premier that states like Tasmania are ‘crazy’ not to put such corruption safeguards in place. Ms Putt intends to move for debate on the motion in Greens’ Private Members Time tomorrow afternoon. “Tasmania desperately needs an independent anti-corruption body to ensure high standards of propriety in public life and to investigate alleged instances of public sector corruption and Paul Lennon’s continued refusal to set one up is prompting questions about why he won’t ” Ms Putt said. “As Lennon Labor obviously needs persuasion to set up an ICAC-style body the best step to take now is to refer this to the Tasmania Law Reform Institute for inquiry and recommendations. “We are not giving up on this cause it’s too important. “Everyone who has concerns about the deterioration of standards of accountability transparency and good governance under Mr Lennon would be able to give input and if others don’t think an ICAC is necessary they could also put their case. Text of Motion tabled by Ms Putt in Parliament today Tuesday 30 ctober 2007That this House notes the comments of NSW Premier Morris Iemma that “Any jurisdiction that doesn’t have its own ICAC-type body is just crazy”If you don’t have one you have either discovered a secret to human nature that has eluded the rest of us or as is more likely to be the case you are just kidding yourselves.
Costello won’t reveal PM deal
NEWS.com.au – Oct 30, 2007
HEALTH Minister Tony Abbott has denied a claim that the federal government has a plan to force employees of Tasmania’s Mersey Hospital onto individual work contracts. The commonwealth formally takes over control of the hospital in Tasmania’s north-west on Thursday but the state government yesterday said the deal could collapse. Tasmanian Health Minister Lara Giddings said a dispute over Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) could scuttle the move. JHN Howard the grandfather talked about rediscovering the art of burping a baby during a relaxed interview on morning television today. The prime minister clutching a teddy bear hosts David Reyne and Kim Watkins gave him for his grandson Angus looked relaxed and confident as he talked about babies rugby cricket and more serious election issues. Mr Howard tackled some tough issues such as climate change leadership and child care – but gushed with pride about Angus. "He’s a great little bloke he is fantastic we are very happy.