AM Summary

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-1999
AM Summary

SYDNEY, Dec 21 AAP - The main stories in today's 0800 (AEDT) edition of the ABC's AM program:

* The OECD has warned the GST may lead to sustained inflation in Australia. It also
warned interest rates in Australia are likely to rise one percentage point in the next
year. The survey said Australia's unemployment rate could be down to about six per cent
by 2001. The survey praises the government's economic policies.

* More than 30,000 people breached the rules for the work for the dole scheme over
the past year and had their benefits cut. More than 6,000 people failed to turn up for
the work. Family and Community Services Minister Jocelyn Newman says it is a disappointment
to see this many people flouting the system. Interview with Senator Newman.

* Some of Western Australia's most prominent MPs are challenging a disciplinary committee
recommendation to expel Senator Sue Knowles. The action follows Senator Knowles' long-running
dispute with former Senator Noel Crichton-Brown.

* Australian troops in East Timor say that they are being forced to pay for their own
gear because the defence department equipment is not up to scratch. The troops approached
Defence Minister John Moore on his visit to the territory yesterday.

* The discovery of two new mass graves in East Timor is expected to provide evidence
of Indonesian military involvement in the slaughter of pro-independence East Timorese.

* 1950 and 1960s Sydney graffiti artist Arthur Stace will be honoured on New Year's
Eve. His tag Eternity will be appear on the Harbour Bridge in lights as part of the celebrations.

Interview with historian and deputy Lord mayor Lucy Turnbull.

* A productivity commission report has shown that Australians are paying more for mobile
phone calls than most other countries. Telstra said the report did not take hand set subsidies
into account. Finland has the cheapest call costs.

* After the fifth derailment in six months the NSW government has called on a British
rail expert to head an inquiry into the state rail system. The NSW opposition says that
unless the safety audit is transparent it will be compromised. The Rail, Tram and Bus
union agrees that the inquiry should be open to the public.

* Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has reaffirmed the Victorian AAA credit rating.

The Bracks government says the rating is a vote of confidence in the new government. The
Liberal party is claiming it as part of Jeff Kennett's legacy.

* Sri Lanka's presidential elections will take place today. An assassination attempt
was made on the current President this week.

AAP vc/eg/rsm

KEYWORD: AM SUMMARY

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