L/ 16P/ ZY FILLPRIME
MINISTER THURSDAY 26 JUNE 1980
From the Press Office SUMMARY OF 12.30 NEWS1 k(
The new Parliament House to be built in C rrawl d
bv an Australian architect living and work. n t ited
States. The winning entry came from Mr. Ri dho e and was
announced this morning from a final short lis designs.
Provisional estimates for the cost of the new Parliament House
at $ 1i5 million with completion scheduled in time for the 1938
Bicentenary celebrations. Barry Cassidy reports.
One person has been killed and as many as six others injured in
an exolosion and fire at the Shell oil refinery in Sydney's
Western suburbs. The explosion occurred at the Clyde :-efinery....
Tony Eastley reports.
Six meat workers were arrested in Portland after clashes between
demonstrators and trucks taking live sheep to the docks. The
trucks were under police escort when the demonstrators surged
forward and pelted the cabins with eggs and rocks. Scuffles
began as police moved in to arrest the demonstrators. About
police were at the docks this morning after members of the Meat
Workerzs Union . said they'd be holding a-quiet demonstration
against the export of live sheep. Police said the meat workers
had been quiet until the trucks carrying the sheep tried to pass
through their picket lines to board a ship bound for the Middle
East. The Victorian power strike: power workers in Melbourne began
meeting half an hour ago to discuss whether they'll join in the
strike now in its third day. Meanwhile Victorians are coping
with rolling blackouts but business and commerce are now feeling
the pinch. Maxine Gray reports.
The battle of Thailand's northern border has developed into a.
war of . words involving the major powers. The Soviet Union has
accused China and the United States of staging the clashes on
the border between Thailand and Kampuchea. China, for its part,
has warned Vietnam of the grave dangers involved if it persists
in what China called military adventures. The United States has
condemned the Vietnamese military incursion into Thailand and
the UN Secretary General, Mr. Waldheim has expressed great concern
and appealed to all parties concerned to restore peace in the area.
Tass said the border fighting erupted when Kampuchean units
repelled an attempt by ' counter revolutionary scum' to cross the
border from Thailand. Tass said the United States and China had
staged the clashes to try to influence Southeast Asian states not
to recognise the new regime in Kampuchea. China warned Vietnam
of the grave risks involved and also promised resolute support
to the Thai Government in its struggle against aggression. The
statement however did not threaten immediate military action
against Vietnam.
State leaders are gathering in Canberra for the start of the
annual Premiers' Conference and Loan Council meetings this
afternoon. The ABC says the Premiers will face claims by Mr.
Howard that the States are in a healthy position. A background
paper-released by Mr. Howard says 3 states have already planned
on a balanced budget while Queensland faces a small deficit. A
It also claims spending by the States' semi government authorities
and local bodies has grown more rapidly over recent years than
federal spending. Tomorrow's session will deal with tax sharing
arrangements and more general issues.
The Newcastle Sun is to close after 62 years in print. The
General anager said today the Sun would cease publication on
Friday 4 july. The decision had been due to financial considerations.
New attempts are being made by NATO foreign ministers to solve
differences between Greece and Turkey which are preventing Greece's
return to NATO's military structure. Malcolm Downing says the
Afghanistan crisis is boosting hopes that a solution might be
found to the dispute.
All West Rail passenger and freight services in WesternAustralia
have been stopped by a strike involving members of the Australian
Railways Union. Bus and truck services operated by West Rail
have also been cancelled and goods are not being accepted for
freight.
A convoy of nearly 100 cars and trucks began heading south from
Carnarvon this morning. They are carrying nearly 200 people
stranded in Carnarvon because of the floods.
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