FEd: Melting time might stop commuters in their tracks

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FEd: Melting time might stop commuters in their tracks

Early morning commuters in Sydney today can expect to see time slipping away in frontof their eyes.

Profile of Time -- the world famous creation of eccentric surrealist artist SALVADORDALI -- will be hoisted by crane in front of the Customs House at Circular Quay.

The symbol of a melting clock over a branch is the best known DALI work.

Two of his 1.5 tonne sculptures, the Time piece and Alice in Wonderland will be unveiledtoday at 8am (AEST) in preparation for The DALI Universe exhibition opening next week.

The exhibition's works are sourced from Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy and sixmillion people around the world have already seen it.

AAP RTV mj/arb/ldj/smb/psm/

KEYWORD: DALI (SYDNEY)

NSW: Ads to ure visitors back to Blue Mountains and Shoalhaven

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NSW: Ads to ure visitors back to Blue Mountains and Shoalhaven

SYDNEY, April 21 AAP - An intensive advertising campaign began today to boost tourismin the Blue Mountains and Shoalhaven after the Christmas bushfires.

Television ads began screening in Sydney and regional NSW today and will go to airin Victoria in late May.

The campaign is part of a $1 million assistance package to help the regions recoverfrom the fires, estimated to have cost tourism operators at least $50 million.

NSW Tourism Minister Sandra Nori said the ads would spread the message that many tourismareas were not affected by the fires.

"There was a perception out there in the public that the whole of the Blue Mountainshad burned down and that Shoalhaven had burned down, and that you couldn't travel there,"

Ms Nori said in Sydney.

"In reality the major tourism areas in these regions were untouched by the bushfires."

Ms Nori said she would hold talks with media outlets later this year to discuss coverageof disasters like the bushfires crisis.

"I'll be having discussions with the media this year about how we handle crisis situationsgenerally or a natural disaster to make sure that we also get the good message out," shesaid.

Ms Nori said visitation levels in both regions seemed to be picking up again, and theads, which promote two-day getaway packages, should help that continue.

"All anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that Easter and these current school holidayshave shown a strong return to strong bookings," she said.

"But to have had September 11, the collapse of Ansett and then these bushfires, it'sbeen a hard time."

Ms Nori said international tourism did not appear to have been affected by the bushfiresin any long-term way, with the UK market particularly buoyant at the moment.

While numbers from Japan were down, that was more a reflection of the state of theJapanese economy, she said.

AAP tnf/mg/bwl

KEYWORD: TOURISM

Vic: Police investigate allegations involving Ablett =2

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Vic: Police investigate allegations involving Ablett =2

The Geelong AFL club today would not comment on the story.

"The club does not believe it is appropriate to …

Fed: Psychiatrists warned working in detention centres unethical

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2001
Fed: Psychiatrists warned working in detention centres unethical

By Elizabeth Gosch

CANBERRA, Dec 9 AAP - Psychiatrists were today warned that working in immigration detention
centres could be unethical.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has advised
its members to think carefully before accepting detention centre jobs in an attempt to
force an immediate review of the treatment of asylum seekers.

While the college could not direct its members not to take jobs, New South Wales branch
chair Louise Newman said the college was advising all medical practitioners to consider
the situation before taking a job in one of the Australian Correctional Management (ACM)
run centres.

"What we are saying is that all medical practitioners should think carefully about
the ethical issues involved before they accept any positions in the detention centres,
given the way they are currently run and the concerns we have about them," Dr Newman told
AAP.

The college was especially concerned about the wellbeing of children in detention centres
such as Sydney's Villawood centre.

"There have been some very serious issues that have come to light about the provision
or lack of provision of medical services and mental health services, specifically for
children and the difficulties of having these children properly assessed, let alone treated,"

Dr Newman said.

"So we are raising this matter in view of the current inquiry looking at children and
some of our members have also been visiting children in the camps and are very concerned
about the conditions there."

An article published today in the December issue of the Medical Journal of Australia
revealed the intimidating and harsh environment of Australia's immigration detention centres
threatened the fragile mental health of asylum seekers.

The authors warned prolonged confinement in immigration detention centres could have
severe psychologically disabling effects on asylum seekers.

Dr Newman said the publishing of the article was timely.

"I think it reveals the extent of the problem," she said.

"It makes the points very clearly that the level of health services in general is grossly
deficient.

"So our concern is that for any medical practitioner working within that system may
be compromised in terms of the care that they are able to give people.

"So it would be much better if there was an immediate review of the entire situation
and that these people had access to the same levels of services as anyone else in the
community."

AAP eg/jmd/sb

KEYWORD: ASYLUM PSYCHIATRISTS

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

NSW: Man injured while base jumping

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2001
NSW: Man injured while base jumping

SYDNEY, April 25 AAP - A man was battered against a cliff face as he dropped more than
100 metres when a base jump went horribly wrong in Sydney's Royal National Park today.

The 31-year-old adventurer suffered serious injuries to his lower back and spine and
a broken pelvis and legs.

The incident happened in an area north of Garie Beach, on the southern edge of Sydney's
metropolitan area.

Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter operations manager Stephen Leahy said the base
jump took a turn for the worst when the man was caught in a downdraught.

"His chute collapsed and (he) hit the cliff wall on at least three occasions," Mr Leahy said.

"He fell more than 100 metres down the face of the cliffs and over several small rock
ledges, landing at the base of the cliff face."

Surf lifesavers swam from their rescue boat to the rock ledge and a team from the Garie
Surf Lifesaving Club provided initial treatment.

A doctor and two paramedics were winched to the man from the rescue helicopter.

The man is in a serious but stable condition in Prince of Wales hospital.

AAP fs/rp/cjh/sb

KEYWORD: BASE LEAD

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

Fed: Anderson sacks two staff over roads bungle

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2001
Fed: Anderson sacks two staff over roads bungle

Transport Minister JOHN ANDERSON has moved in response to last week's revelation of
the national $3-billion road-funding blunder, sacking two of his most senior staff.

Mr ANDERSON has axed principal adviser STEPHEN OXLEY and land transport adviser PETER
WALSH in response to last week's revelation by the Auditor-General that successive governments
have failed to commit sufficient petrol-excise revenue to roads.

Mr ANDERSON and the government were embarrassed when his office failed to inform him
of the auditor's report and the questions it raised until after it was tabled in parliament.

The report found just 3.1 cents a litre of fuel excise was being spent on roads, rather
than 4.95 cents as required.

Mr OXLEY, the head of Mr ANDERSON's office who's worked for the minister for more than
nine years, accepted responsibility for the error.

AAP RTV rft/sub/jx

KEYWORD: ROADS (CANBERRA)

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

Qld: Hamill s resignation letter

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2000
Qld: Hamill s resignation letter

BRISBANE, Dec 12 AAP - The resignation letter Queensland Treasurer David Hamill today
submitted to Premier Peter Beattie:



Dear Peter,

I wish to formally advise you of my decision not to contest next year's state election.

As you are aware, this decision was arrived at over a considerable period of time.

It is certainly not a reflection of my commitment to the government, nor on your leadership,
which I consider to be outstanding.

Nor is this decision in any way related to the recent events which have generated so
much publicity and which have been the subject of the current inquiry.

In short, after having had the privilege of representing Ipswich in the state parliament
since 1983, serving as a senior minister in a succession of Labor governments over the
past eleven years, and representing Queensland both at home and abroad, Pat and I have
decided that it is time for a change.

It has been very satisfying to have contributed to so many initiatives which bring
long-term benefits to the state and its people. Among the highlights I would include the
expansion of Queensland's university sector, the redevelopment of our hospitals, the rebuilding
of our railways, and the provision of substantial additional support for services to those
with disabilities. I am particularly proud that, as Treasurer, I have overseen the delivery
of an economic and fiscal framework that has enabled these reforms to occur in an environment
of strong economic growth and falling unemployment.

While I will remain State Treasurer and Member for Ipswich until the next election,
my decision necessitates a new candidate being chosen to contest my electorate. I look
forward to working with that person to ensure a Labor victory in Ipswich, and the return
of the Government for a much deserved second term in office.

With best wishes now, and for the future,



Hon. David Hamill MP

Treasurer and Member for Ipswich.



AAP ld/sc/jnb

KEYWORD: HAMILL LETTER

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.