NSW:Protest convoy to hit traffic across NSW

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2011
NSW:Protest convoy to hit traffic across NSW

Widespread traffic disruption is expected across New South Wales this weekend as a
protest convoy of trucks, cars and caravans travels through the state on its way to Canberra.

The National Road Freighters Association has organised the rally against the minority
government, with the aim of a fresh federal election.

Around 11 convoys from all over Australia are travelling through NSW on their way to
Canberra and police are working closed with the RTA to minimise traffic disruptions.

Acting Superintendent BERNIE RYAN says the convoys will travel along many major thoroughfares
to reach their destination.

The convoy is expected to arrive in the nation's capital tomorrow.

AAP RTV ih/sw/

KEYWORD: CONVOY (SYDNEY)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Three states agree on water - more talks with Victoria =6

AAP General News (Australia)
02-23-2007
Fed: Three states agree on water - more talks with Victoria =6

Mr Bracks said both he and Mr Howard were seeking the best outcome for Australia.

"The policy objective is the same, we have differences on how it could be achieved," he said.

"I think we have in the marketplace a very solid and strong plan. I am very happy to
have discussions around that and the prime minister's plan."

Mr Bracks went on:"We enter the negotiations with an …

Cobridge Communications Offers Home Phone Service in Shannon Hills and Maumelle, Arkansas

Wireless News
04-25-2011
Cobridge Communications Offers Home Phone Service in Shannon Hills and Maumelle, Arkansas
Type: News

Cobridge Communications, a provider of residential and commercial television, internet and telephone services, announced the launch of its digital phone service to almost 25,000 homes in Shannon Hills and .

Cobridge Voice, the company's new digital service, offers unlimited local and long distance calling to anywhere in the United States. It includes voicemail, caller ID, call blast and other features, all of which users can manage through a dedicated and secure webpage.
Cobridge purchased the Shannon Hills and Maumelle systems from Charter Communications in October 2010, and deploying phone service is one step in a series of planned upgrades for the area. Cobridge currently offers Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and HDTV to many residents in the area, but plans on expanding the HD channel line- up and expanding the launch of phone service to more area residents. Future upgrades of other Cobridge systems are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011.

Cobridge Communications provides television, high-speed internet, telephone, and business class services. Cobridge operates 36 rural and suburban markets in seven states.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

Copyright 2011 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a

Sri Muda rep claims trial to sedition charge

Jennifer Gomez
New Straits Times
02-08-2011
Sri Muda rep claims trial to sedition charge
Byline: Jennifer Gomez
Edition: Main/Lifestyle
Section: Main Section

SHAH ALAM: Sri Muda assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei was charged at the Sessions Court yesterday with posting a seditious statement on his blog over the appointment of Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi as Selangor secretary.

Dressed in a dark suit, Shuhaimi was charged with an offence under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948, which he allegedly committed on Dec 30.
Shuhaimi, who pleaded not guilty, smiled when the blog posting was read to him by the court interpreter.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria told the court that it was a serious offence and proposed bail of RM20,000 in one surety.

Lawyer Edmund Bon objected to the bail and urged judge Latifah Mohd Tahar to release Shuhaimi on a personal recognisance bond.

"Personal recognisance is suitable for this case because he is a state representative elected by the people of Sri Muda and he has two known addresses - his home in Setia Alam and his service centre in Kota Kemuning."

Bon also said the posting, which was viewed as seditious, had been reproduced in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper.

He said he would file an application in the High Court for a declaration that Section 4 of the Sedition Act was invalid and that the act could not be used against Shuhaimi as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act dealt with Internet and blog postings.

Counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad, who appeared with Bon, told the court that the bail proposed was too high, considering the maximum fine for this offence was only RM5,000.

After a short recess, the court set bail at RM8,000 in one surety and fixed March 28 for mention.

If found guilty, Shuhaimi faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a maximum jail term of three years, or both. He also risks losing his seat if he is convicted and sentenced to more than a year's jail or fined more than RM2,000.

Shuhaimi posted bail and left the court with his supporters at 1.20pm.

(Copyright 2011)

NSW:Bikie war led to attacks, court hears

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2010
NSW:Bikie war led to attacks, court hears

SYDNEY, Aug 25 AAP - A war between the Comanchero and Hells Angels bikie gangs sparked
a number of attacks including the firebombing of a Sydney clubhouse, a court has been
told.

A former nominee of the Comanchero known only as "SP" outlined the club rivalry while
giving evidence on Wednesday about a fatal airport brawl on March 22, 2009.

Anthony Zervas, 29, died in the brawl and 10 Comanchero have been charged with his murder.

Mr Zervas's brother, Peter Zervas - a senior Hells Angel - and two other men with alleged
links to the same gang, have been charged with riot and affray over the same matter.

A committal hearing in the West Sydney Trial Courts for the 13 accused heard from SP
for the first time on Wednesday.

He said that during his first few Comanchero meetings he was told the gang had "bombed"

a Hells Angels clubhouse at Petersham.

A Hells Angels-operated tattoo parlour and former beauty parlour - Angels on the Beach
- in the southern Sydney suburb of Brighton-Le-Sands, was also attacked, he said, because
it had not sought Comanchero permission.

"It was just because they put a shop in Brighton and didn't ask permission," SP told
the court on Wednesday.

When asked whose permission should have been sought, SP said it was the Comanchero boss, "Mick".

SP also said the Comanchero were responsible for firing shots into Platinum Ink - a
tattoo parlour owned by a Hells Angels member at Petersham.

"All those incidents you described, it was the Comanchero who were responsible?" crown
prosecutor Natalie Adams asked SP.

"Yes," he replied.

Before becoming a prosecution witness in the case against the 13 men, SP was also charged
with Mr Zervas's murder.

His evidence has included an account of being called to Sydney airport on March 22,
2009, to meet Comanchero boss Mick Hawi and "the boys", who were arriving on a flight
from Melbourne.

There was a chance meeting on that flight with a Hells Angels member, which sparked
the airport brawl, the prosecution alleges.

The hearing continues.

AAP ad/tr/jsh/was

KEYWORD: BIKIES

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Events Diary Monday, April 19, 2010

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2010
Events Diary Monday, April 19, 2010

EVENTS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND LOCAL TIME UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:

ADELAIDE:
No items listed.

BRISBANE:
No items listed.

CANBERRA:
0800 - Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting arrivals picture opportunity.

Ministerial entrance, Parliament House, Canberra.

0930 - COAG meeting opening picture opportunity. Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra.

MELBOURNE:
0900 - Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr, opening address
at Collaborating for Success Conference. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1
Convention Place, South Wharf. Contact: Aban Contractor 0457 989 842 or Patrick Pantano
0417 181 936
0900 - MEA National Conference continues. Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Website:
www.meetingsevents.com.au

PERTH:
No items listed.

SYDNEY:
0700 - Celebrations will begin for the arrival of The Queen's Baton Relay at Harris Park
at 0835, on the junction of Marion and Station Streets. The Baton will then be carried
to Parramatta Town Hall, by Eels stars Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh, arriving at
1000.

0930 - Australia-India Trade and Investment Forum, to celebrate the arrival in Sydney
of the Queen's Baton, ahead of the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Minister for State Development
Ian Macdonald will deliver the welcome address and the Indian Consul General will speak.

Hamilton Parkes Room, NSW Trade and Investment Centre, level 47, MLC Centre, 19 Martin
Place. Contact: Sam Dutt 0431 072 064.

0930 - NSW Legislative Council public hearing into recreational fishing. Jubilee Room,
Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney. Contact: Lynn Race 9230 3504.

0930 - ICAC inquiry into corrupt conduct allegations against Tonette Kelly, manager, Legal
Branch of the NSW Maritime Authority. ICAC Hearing Room, level 21, 133 Castlereagh Street,
Sydney. Contact: Nicole Thomas 0417 467 801.

1000 - Launch of the 2010 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, with Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek,
St Vincent CEO John Falzon and NRMA CEO Tony Stuart. Rooftop, Matthew Talbot Homeless
Services Hostel, Woolloomooloo (enter via Ozanam Learning Centre, 99 Forbes Street, Woolloomooloo).

Contact: Marion Frith 0417 446 430.

1000 - NSW Caravan, Camping, RV and Holiday Supershow. April 17-25,
Rosehill Racecourse. Details: visit www.supershow.com.au or call 1902 220 299.

1000 - Royal Australian Navy Ship HMAS Newcastle will deploy to Japan, Canada and the
US to strengthen maritime ties and conduct training with coalition partners. Arrive at
main gate of Garden Island, corner of Wylde Street and Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo.

Contact: Dane Svenson 0411 203 579.

1030 - Release of 2009 Annual NSW Recorded Crime Statistics by Bureau of Crime Statistics
and Research. Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Contact: Dr Don Weatherburn
02 9231 9190.

1400 - Review of the 2008/09 Annual Report of the Health Care Complaints Commission. Waratah
Room, NSW Parliament. Contact: Jacqueline Isles 9230 3011.

SPORT:
RUGBY LEAGUE - NRL -
Round 6 - to April 19
1900 - Melbourne v Manly, Etihad Std
NETBALL - ANZ C'ships - to July 11
Round 5 - to April 19
1720 (AEST) - Southern Steel v Qld Firebirds, Stadium Southland, Invercargill, NZ
1905 - Melbourne Vixens v Northern Mystics, Hisense Arena, Melbourne
ATHLETICS -
Boston Marathon, USA
GALLOPS -
Taree
Kilmore
Dubbo
Devonport
France
England
Sth Africa
TROTS -
Menangle
Yarra Valley
Albion Park
Globe Derby
Canberra
Gloucester Park
Sweden
GREYHOUNDS -
Wentworth Park
Shepparton
Albion Park
Angle Park
Cranbourne
Nowra
Warragul
New Zealand

AAP RTV bm/evt/af/psm/

KEYWORD: DIARY EVENTS MONDAY APRIL 19, 2010

2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Duo urinate on main Brisbane Anzac memorial

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2009
Qld: Duo urinate on main Brisbane Anzac memorial

A man and a woman will face court after being caught urinating in the Shrine of Remembrance
in Brisbane's Anzac Square War Memorial.

Police issued the pair with a Notice to Appear just before midnight last night.

The memorial in the CBD is one of the state's main dedications to Australia's military
heritage and hosts one of the city's main Anzac Dawn Services each year.

AAP RTV djb/sw/

KEYWORD: ANZAC (BRISBANE)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

WA: Man's body to be winched from gorge after apparent fall

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2009
WA: Man's body to be winched from gorge after apparent fall

Police and emergency service workers are attempting to retrieve the body of a man from
a deep gorge .. in Western Australia's Kimberley.

The man .. believed to be a tourist .. is understood to have fallen into Lennard Gorge yesterday.

Sergeant GRAHAM CLIFFORD says a winching device is being used to lift the man's body
to the top and is expected to take some time.

AAP RTV was/sw

KEYWORD: GORGE (PERTH)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Standen to spend Christmas in jail after bail refused

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2008
NSW: Standen to spend Christmas in jail after bail refused

Disgraced crime fighter MARK STANDEN .. facing charges of drug importation and conspiracy
.. will spend Christmas in jail after a Sydney magistrate rejected his latest bail application.

His lawyers made the application in Sydney's Central Local Court today .. arguing the
case against him was flawed and incomplete .. and he would suffer psychological harm if
kept in custody.

The former NSW Crime Commission assistant director of investigations was arrested in
June after a two-year federal drug investigation spanning three continents.

The 51-year-old was among a group of people arrested in Australia .. the Netherlands
and Thailand over the alleged plot to import hundreds of kilograms of precursor chemicals
to manufacture the drug ice.

Magistrate ALLAN MOORE refused the bail application .. saying the crown has a substantial
case against STANDEN .. despite his lawyer's claim.

Mr MOORE also says his background as a police officer made STANDEN a flight risk.

STANDEN is due back in court in February for the start of a two-day committal hearing.

AAP RTV ab/wjf/crh

KEYWORD: STANDEN (SYDNEY)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Ten: Rampant Nadal into Games final = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2008
Ten: Rampant Nadal into Games final = 2

The Bondarenko sisters will face US siblings and 2000 champions Venus and Serena Williams,
who raced through their quarter-final 6-4, 6-0 against Russia's Elena Vesnina and Vera
Zvonareva.

AFP vm

KEYWORD: OLY08 TEN N/L 2 BEIJING (REOPENS)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Fed and Tas govts join multi-million dollar bailout for ACL

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2008
Fed: Fed and Tas govts join multi-million dollar bailout for ACL

By Melissa Jenkins

CANBERRA, April 7 AAP - The federal and Tasmanian governments will join major car companies
in rescuing a parts manufacturer whose financial troubles have threatened to shut down
the industry.

Launceston's ACL Bearings is the only supplier of precision auto bearings to Ford,
Holden and Toyota.

ACL, along with parent company - Australia's largest independent distributor of automotive
parts, National Parts, - are under administration.

Ford, Holden and Toyota are providing ACL with a rescue package worth an undisclosed sum.

Industry Minister Kim Carr said the Rudd government would chip in $2 million, while
the Tasmanian government would contribute $330,000.

He said the rescue package would allow ACL to trade out of its "acute liquidity problem"

and allow it to clear its debts.

"Some of the bigger companies only had five days supply (of parts) on hand," Senator
Carr told AAP.

"These are exceptional circumstances which require urgent measures to prevent an industry
wide shutdown with ... tens of thousands of layoffs."

ACL would be required to implement an efficiency and productivity strategy to secure
the viability of the company into the future, Senator Carr said.

Tasmanian Economic Development Minister Paula Wriedt said ACL Bearings made a significant
contribution to the economy, and the package would give the company's 285 staff the security
they needed to get on with the job.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive Andrew McKellar welcomed
the federal and Tasmanian governments' support for ACL.

"The move is a pragmatic response to what is a short-term and exceptional circumstance
that a key manufacturer to the Australian automotive industry is experiencing," he said.

"This financial support recognises the regional significance of the company and the
importance ACL plays as part of the Australian vehicle manufacturing supply chain."

AAP mj/sb/jl/de

KEYWORD: ACL

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Gulpilil in hospital with heart problems

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2007
FED: Gulpilil in hospital with heart problems

Aboriginal actor DAVID GULPILIL is in a Sydney hospital .. after suffering heart problems
during a flight from Brisbane.

The 54-year-old .. who's working on BAZ LUHRMANN'S film Australia .. fell ill on a
Qantas flight last night.

He was taken by ambulance from Sydney airport to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital .. where
he's in a stable condition this morning.

Qantas says the plane wasn't struck by lightning as was reported earlier.

AAP RTV ig/was/jec/jmt

KEYWORD: GULPILIL (SYDNEY)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Labor support for govt's plan to tackle ice epidemic

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2007
Fed: Labor support for govt's plan to tackle ice epidemic

Labor leader KEVIN RUDD has given his full support to the federal government's 150
million dollar package to fight the ice epidemic.

Mr RUDD says ice affects many families and communities across the country .. and requires
national action.

The package announced by the prime minister today includes a major boost to the government's
law enforcement efforts .. more support for non-government rehabilitation services ..

and money for drug education.

AAP RTV jb/jmt

KEYWORD: ICE RUDD (CANBERRA)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: 20 children injured in Sydney bus crash

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
NSW: 20 children injured in Sydney bus crash

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - Up to 20 children have been injured in a bus accident in Sydney's
south-west, the NSW Ambulance Service says.

An ambulance spokesman said medical personnel were on site at Lurnea and up to 12 children
would be taken to hospital.

"Ten to 20 children have been coming back to school on a bus that's had an accident
or braked suddenly," the spokesman said.

The children suffered mainly facial injuries in the incident about 3.10pm (AEDT), he said.

AAP nr/hn/evt/de

KEYWORD: BUS

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Virtual TV interviewer to make TV history

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2006
Fed: Virtual TV interviewer to make TV history

By Erin McWhirter, TV Writer

SYDNEY, Aug 14 AAP - A piece of TV history is being made with the creation of animated
talk show host David Tench.

Network Ten's David Tench Tonight is the brainchild of Enough Rope presenter Andrew
Denton and his production company, Zapruder's Other Films.

While motion capture and digital enhancement technologies have been used by the film
industry for nearly a decade, this program is a first for television.

In David Tench Tonight, a virtual cartoon host interviews real people in real time.

Like other talk show hosts, viewers will watch Tench perched behind a desk, interviewing
his guests live in a studio.

"That's the world-first about it, guests see him in real time," producer Todd Abbott said.

"It's never been tried before and I imagine it will grab the attention of people around
the world.

"Tench is something that is pioneering the way for the future."

Denton's company has partnered with Sydney-based digital production company, Animal
Logic, on the project.

The technology used to produce Tench is the same adopted to create creepy Lord of The
Rings character, Gollum.

The real personality behind Tench - who will never be revealed - will wear a sensor-suit
marking their basic movements, which will make the animated character come across as lifelike
as possible.

Abbott said the concept of the program might be hard to grasp.

"It wasn't until I saw the early character work that the penny dropped," he said.

"It's a concept that doesn't bear trying to be explained, it only works if you see
it. It sounds far more confusing than what it is."

Denton's love for cartoons sparked Tench's creation and, over 10 months, his company
explored the concept for a television program, and developed a detailed back story for
Tench's character.

Tench's biography says the Australian-born star recently returned to Australia after
a decade in the United States, where he hosted breakfast show Surprise! Good Morning!
for eight years.

He has two children, a passion for poetry, and Nine's chief executive Eddie McGuire
used to be his copy-kid.

Abbott said Tench's looks were modelled on famous television talk show hosts such as
David Letterman, Jay Leno and Bert Newton, as well as radio men Alan Jones and John Laws.

"It was about picking and choosing the features of those talk show hosts we liked and
combining it to create David," Abbott said.

So far, he said all guests - starting with tennis champion Patrick Rafter and Killing
Heidi band member Ella Hooper - have warmed to the experience.

"The idea of interaction with people who are slightly cartoonistic opens guests up
so much more," Abbott said.

"It allows the guest to relax and have fun. He (Tench) is able to be far more honest
and so much more real in his questions than a lot of other reporters are able to be. He's
also a lot cheekier."

David Tench Tonight premieres August 17 at 8.30pm (AEST) on Network Ten.

AAP em/srp/sp

KEYWORD: TENCH (FILE PIX AVAILABLE)

) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

SA: Fridge fumes believed to have started lab fire

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2006
SA: Fridge fumes believed to have started lab fire

Fumes from a fridge are thought to have exploded and started a fire in a laboratory
at Adelaide's Flinders University.

Firefighters say they quickly contained the blaze at the laboratory .. which was reported
at 6.30 (CST) this morning.

A university spokesman says the physical sciences laboratory will remain closed until
later today.

AAP RTV sl/rt

KEYWORD: LABORATORY (ADELAIDE)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Adler chokes back tears and describes life "under siege"

AAP General News (Australia)
03-30-2005
NSW: Adler chokes back tears and describes life "under siege"

By Peter Trute

SYDNEY, March 30 AAP - A tearful Rodney Adler told today how he had feared for his
life and been "under siege" since the collapse four years ago of insurance company HIH.

On a day in which he swung between barely contained emotion, making jokes and hoping
society would forgive him, the convicted former HIH director fought back tears as he described
the impact of the insurer's failure on his life.

However he also said there was no way for him to say "sorry" for what he had done.

"It is incredibly hard to define what has happened these last four years," he told
the NSW Supreme Court with his wife Lyndi watching on.

"I have been under siege, the whole family (has)," he said.

Adler, who has been convicted on four charges related to his time at HIH after the
company became Australia's biggest-ever corporate failure, said there was not one day
that went by "that one of the kids doesn't ask me if I am going to jail".

The 45-year-old father of four made a final address in his defence today, saying there
was no way he could say "sorry".

"I pleaded guilty to four charges of, effectively, dishonesty and intentionally misleading
people," he said.

"There's no excuse - even though I can justify it today the justification is unacceptable.

"One would like to say sorry but there is no mechanism to say sorry - you can't reverse it."

Adler said that by pleading guilty and admitting falsehoods, he hoped that society
and Justice John Dunford would be able to forgive him and let him rebuild his life.

He also described how he had thought he might be killed after seeing a mysterious car
outside his Vaucluse home in Sydney's east two days ago.

Adler said he had risen about 4.15am to prepare for his court appearance and decided
to drive to Bondi.

On leaving he noticed a car drive away from his house and followed it to Watsons Bay,
however before stopping to ask the driver's identity, Adler said he telephoned his office
and left the details of the car in a message for his secretary, adding, "If I am dead
when you get this, please send this to the police".

Adler said the occupants of the car identified themselves as being from The Daily Telegraph
newspaper and wanted to interview him.

He also faced cross-examination from prosecution barrister Lionel Robberds QC today
on his explanation of the crimes to which he pleaded guilty last month.

Adler has admitted lying to former HIH chief executive Ray Williams - who is also awaiting
sentence on separate HIH-related charges - that he was putting $500,000 of his own money
into a struggling internet company, Business Thinking Solutions, in order to convince
Williams to put $2 million of HIH money into the business.

Adler was paid a $50,000 brokerage fee by BTS for snaring the $2 million, however told
the court he had insisted the Adler Corporation ledger be changed to record the payment
as a rental bond because it was inappropriate that he receive a fee.

He then told Mr Robberds that the five per cent fee should have been $100,000.

"I worked it out myself - I've been short changed," he quipped, before adding "I'm
being flippant".

Adler also rejected the suggestion that when he lied to a journalist in June 2000 by
saying he had used his own money to buy HIH shares when in fact he had used HIH funds,
he had been seeking to push up the company's share price.

"I intentionally misled (the journalist) but not for the purpose of share prices" he said.

He said he was "horrified" by the story which appeared in The Australian Financial
Review on June 20, 2000, but did nothing to correct the mistake.

The sentencing hearing continues tomorrow.

AAP pt/mn/bre

KEYWORD: ADLER NIGHTLEAD

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Labor states consider challenge to new IR laws

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2004
Fed: Labor states consider challenge to new IR laws

Labor states are considering a constitutional challenge to the federal government's
new industrial relations laws, limiting the rights of unions to enter workplaces.

Under the legislation, union officials would only be allowed one visit every six months
for recruitment, have restrictions on what they can do on-site and undergo training in
their rights and responsibilities on entering a workplace.

It would also stop unions and employers agreeing to more liberal rules.

The Australian Financial Review quotes New South Wales Industrial Relations Minister
JOHN DELLA BOSCA saying he's inclined to see how far the rule can be challenged.

The newspaper says the WA government has threatened a constitutional challenge if unfair
dismissal laws go ahead and other states, including Queensland, are considering their
position.

The federal government will be able to push a long list of blocked industrial relations
legislation through from July the 1st next year, when it takes control of the Senate for
the first time in 23 years.

AAP RTV jb/psm/

KEYWORD: WORKPLACE (SYDNEY)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

High-Tech Laundry Does Everything but Fold.

By Bob Keefe, The Palm Beach Post, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Aug. 31--Here's one more reason for college students to quit lugging their laundry home on weekends.

Two companies rolled out new technology Friday that lets college students use their cell phone or a debit card tied to their student ID to pay for their laundry.

Even better, students can visit a Web site to find out when Internet-wired washers in their dorm's laundry room are available, and receive a cell phone call or an e-mail when their loads are done.

"Doing laundry is always one of those real nuisances for anybody," said Dean Douglas, a vice president at IBM Corp., which teamed up with USA Technologies Inc. on the new systems. Along with making dorm life easier, Douglas said jokingly, "this is going to help mother-child relations."

Universities in four states -- Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan -- will wire a total of 9,000 machines to the new system, said IBM and USA Technologies. The rollout comes after a test at Boston College this year that Douglas said got rave reviews.

For washer-weary students tired of saving up quarters and waiting for open machines, the technology could create a convenience comparable to CliffsNotes.

"It's kind of annoying because you'll have some people who have stuff sitting down in a washer or dryer for six hours," said Craig Sastic, who shares 10 washers with nearly 200 other students in a dormitory at Cedarville University east of Dayton, Ohio. Cedarville dorms are expected to get the wired washers in the next few months.

"You don't want to be rude and take their stuff out," said Sastic, a junior, "but it sure would be nice if they got a message and they'd know when it was done."

The technology could be as beneficial to laundromat operators as it is to students. By going cashless, vendors can reduce vandalism and quit collecting and counting quarters. And with Web-connected washers, they can better maintain and monitor machines.

The idea of paying for services with cards or even devices such as cell phones that automatically link to Internet accounts is nothing new.

Credit and debit card devices for vending machines were introduced nearly 20 years ago. Companies such as Atlanta-based Marconi Online Systems Inc. have been building Web-enabled vending machines, including Coke machines that let users order and pay using their cell phones, for several years.

Smart card supplier SchlumbergerSema, meanwhile, has outfitted laundromats with its systems for seven years. It has supplied 4 million smart cards at laundromats around the world, including 1 million at 40 different universities, said Vice President Jack Mapes.

The unique thing about the IBM-USA Technologies system, dubbed "e-suds," is that it combines smart card and mobile phone payment systems with the Internet monitoring capability.

"The ability to use the Web provides an extraordinary amount of flexibility," Douglas said. "Suddenly you can use your cell phone, or PC or your laptop" to help do laundry.

Now if only cell phones and computers could fold shirts.

To see more of The Palm Beach Post, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost

(c) 2002, The Palm Beach Post, Fla. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

IBM, USTT, USTTP, KO,