Ministers Agree To Change Drought Relief Assistance

THE Rudd Government is paving the way for a substantial overhaul of the nation's drought assistance, with federal and state agriculture ministers agreeing yesterday that one of the key aspects of assistance - assessments of whether a farming area is in a one-in-20-to-25-year drought - should be dumped.

Ministers Agree On Drought Assistance Overhaul

THE Rudd Government is paving the way for a substantial overhaul of the nation's drought assistance, with federal and state agriculture ministers agreeing yesterday that one of the key aspects of assistance - assessments of whether or not a farming area is in a one-in-20-25-year - should be dumped.

Trivia

1 In what Australian state are the Wollomombi Falls? 2 What Scandinavian country is Europes top oil producer?

Ideas Wanted, Any Condition. Please Give Generously

GOT any ideas for the State Government? If you have, please send them to the Premier's office, because the Government is a bit short. Actually that is an understatement - it has run out entirely. The Premier's people are particularly keen on ideas that might impress voters on the Central Coast and in the Illawarra, where constituents are seriously out of love with Labor. But ideas for anywhere will do because, frankly, the situation statewide is desperate. And don't worry if someone else has ...

Mine Of Information On Wonthaggi Desal Plant Site Lost With Missing Maps

ON THE surface, it looks like harmless farm paddocks by the sea. But the site of Victoria's desalination plant has something lurking beneath.

Trivia

1 In which Australian state are the Wollomombi Falls? 2 What Scandinavian country is Europe's top oil producer?

Hysteria Is Deja Voodoo All Over Again

RUGBY league has always been a code of over-reaction. Instead of celebrating 100 years of history, or delighting in NSW's unexpected and expertly prepared win over Queensland in State of Origin I, or citing the wonderful Wests Tigers versus Titans match at Leichhardt Oval as evidence the lads on the field are still putting on a great show, we're talking death row for Sydney clubs.

Big Donor To Alp Given Hope On Coast Land Plan

A GENEROUS donor to the ALP, Duncan Hardie, has again been given special treatment in a State Government housing plan, this time for a proposal to build a new town on the Mid-North Coast, according to green groups.

Donor Land On Housing Plan

A GENEROUS donor to the NSW ALP, Duncan Hardie, has again been given special treatment in a State Government housing plan, this time for a proposal to build a new town on the Mid-North Coast, green groups say.

Design Changes To Royal Development

NEW plans lodged by Mirvac for the Royal Newcastle Hospital site show some subtle but important changes from the concept plan approved last year by the State Government.

I Speak Aboriginal Every Day, But I Don't Understand A Word

The origins and meanings of place names - from local streets to mountains - so familiar to Victorians are most often unknown but can tell so much about the Aboriginal heritage of this state, writes Kate Holden.

Shelters From The Storm On The Right Route

The State Government must work with councils on public transport, writes John Tate.

Killalea Result 'triumph' ... Or 'clever Ploy'

A SURVEY has shown the community is almost split down the middle on a proposal for an eco-resort at Killalea State Park.

My School: Alison Carroll, Director, Asialink Arts, University Of Melbourne

Schools attended: Beaumaris State School, St Leonard's College, Melbourne Girls Grammar.

One Day Soon, All This Will Be Suburbs

PLANS to build new suburbs for 30,000 people in south-western Sydney over the next decade were made public by the State Government yesterday as part of its answer to accusations it has strangled the supply of land for development. A spokesman for Mr Perich's company, Greenfields Development Corporation, said the first houses would be on larger lots. "The apartments come later, when you have got cafes," he said.

Cover-up Allegation

THE State Government orchestrated a cover-up over the Gretley coalmine deaths, the Opposition has alleged after obtaining two boxes of mostly confidential documents on the disaster.

Haunting Reminders Of Victoria's Blackest Day

THE insatiable fires ravaging tinder-dry Victoria this week are a frightening reminder of the state's worst bushfire disaster, 1939's Black Friday.

Sartor Accused Of Bowing To Developers

STATE Planning Minister Frank Sartor has been accused of caving in to developers and ignoring the heritage of Catherine Hill Bay.

Lake An Open And Cut Case

THE State Government has earmarked six areas in western Lake Macquarie for open-cut mining, documents reveal.

Opposition To Consider New Illawarra Transit Plan

THE State Opposition will investigate a new and improved mass transit system in the Illawarra if elected next year.