AM Summary

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1999
AM Summary

SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - The main stories in today's 0800 (AEDT) edition of the ABC's AM program:

* Potential datacasters are claiming the government has wasted an opportunity to fully
embrace the benefits of digital television. Ozemail and News Limited are questioning whether
it is worth investing if they are so restricted in what they can do. Interview with Communications
Minister Richard Alston.

* There are warnings this morning that hundreds, possibly thousands of dairy farmers
will be forced off the land if the industry is deregulated. The National party in NSW
and Queensland believe the deregulation is inevitable but it will hit farmers hard. The
Victorian Nationals are backing deregulation, their industry produces two thirds of the
nation's milk.

* Qantas' share price has been dropping at a fast rate since Virgin airlines announced
it would take on Australia's two domestic airlines. The plans of both Qantas and Ansett
have been further complicated by an alliance between Singapore Airlines and Virgin.

* The government has released a new White Paper on university research. The paper details
plans to encourage links between researchers and industry. The opposition says the government
doesn't understand that research needs more funding.

* Britian has revealed new plans to help alleviate third world debt. Debt owed to Britain
by more than 40 poor nations will be written off however, money owed to Britain account
for less than one per cent of third world debt. Britain has asked that the extra money
go towards poverty relief in the poor countries.

* Victoria has proclaimed it has the most liberal freedom of information laws in Australia.

The Bracks government says it has ended the secrecy of the Kennett era and is now urging
the other governments in Australia to do likewise.

* The former West Australian Liberal party member Noel Crichton-Browne has accused
the Prime Minister of bullying the WA state branch into overturning the expulsion of Senator
Sue Knowles. Mr Howard refused to reply to Mr Crichton-Browne's comments. Senator Knowles
is appealing her expulsion. Interview with Mr Crichton-Browne.

* Ten years ago today Australia awoke to the Kempsey road disaster that killed 35 people.

The coroner's report recommended a dual carriageway from Sydney to Brisbane but it has
yet to be finished.

AAP vc/eg/jjs/arb

KEYWORD: AM SUMMARY

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.