HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 20:00, Dec 6

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2001
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 20:00, Dec 6



CANBERRA - New Defence Minister Robert Hill today promised a more open defence force
after complaints that more news on Australia's involvement in Afghanistan was coming out
of the US than Canberra. (Terror Hill )



CANBERRA - Up to seven Middle Eastern men sought urgent pilot training in South Australia
10 months ahead of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, it was revealed
today. (Terror Aust Nightlead)



CANBERRA - New Defence Minister Robert Hill today foreshadowed a possible review of
defence spending to meet budget restraints imposed by the costs of the war on terror,
domestic security and border protection. (Defence )



SYDNEY - Police have seized $20 million worth of ecstasy tablets and busted part of
an alleged international drug syndicate in Australia's third largest amphetamine haul.

(Ecstasy Nightlead)



INTERLAKEN - Two Australian families have made an emotional visit to the scene of the
1999 Swiss canyoning tragedy that claimed 21 lives as a court hearing into the disaster
continued. (Swiss river Nightlead. Second N/L to come.)



DARWIN - A judge today rejected X-ray evidence relied on by Australian authorities
to prove whether Indonesian people smugglers are adults or juveniles. (Boat Kasman Nightlead)



MELBOURNE - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today weighed into the immigration debate,
calling for an end to the federal government's so-called Pacific solution on asylum seekers.

(Boat Bracks Nightlead)



CANBERRA - The Labor Party's frontbench will take the quest for new ALP policy to the
community under a plan backed at a meeting today. (Labor Nightlead )



CANBERRA - Sky-rocketing house prices today boosted confidence in the Australian economy
as government ministers prepared themselves for budget cuts. (Economy Nightlead)



SYDNEY - Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody was surprised to learn his internal tax intelligence
unit was issuing private taxation rulings but he never thought to forbid such actions,
a court was told today. (Petroulias)



CANBERRA - The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) will consider forcing commercial
television stations to provide local news as part of its inquiry into regional bulletins.

(Ten)



ADELAIDE - Overseas tourists have unwittingly been drawn into a violent feud between
two Aboriginal communities in South Australia's north-east. (Iga Warta )



SYDNEY - The first meeting of the new board of motoring group NRMA Ltd was marked by
drama today with members of the minority Motorists Action Group leaving early and not
returning. (NRMA)



SYDNEY - AFL great Tony Lockett has decided the rigours of elite football are too much
for his ageing body. (AFL Lockett Nightlead)



SYDNEY - Anthony Mundine has admitted to his fans he didn't pay Sven Ottke enough respect
in their boxing world title bout in Germany last weekend. (Boxing Mundine Nightlead)



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KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATE

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