HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Dec 14

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2004
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, Dec 14

SYDNEY - A Sydney man accused of planning terrorist attacks in Australia had maps of
the national electricity network, aerial photographs of defence installations and instructions
for making explosives, a court was told today. (Lodhi. Nightlead to come.)

SYDNEY - A decision to replace the Defence Intelligence Organisation director had nothing
to do with scrutiny sparked by whistleblower Lance Collins, Defence Minister Robert Hill
said today. (DIO. N/L to come.)

MELBOURNE - Former high-flying businessman John Elliott today made an offer to his
creditors in a last-ditch effort to stave off bankruptcy proceedings. (Elliott. N/L to
come)

PERTH - Prime Minister John Howard today said he has no desire to see Alexander Downer
leave his post, following speculation the foreign minister has been approached to head
the United Nations nuclear watchdog. (Nuclear IAEA Howard. N/L to come.)

PERTH - Selling off the remainder of Telstra during this term of government was not
a foregone conclusion, Prime Minister John Howard said today. (Telstra Howard. N/L to
come.)

CANBERRA - Australians were more likely to contract cancer than residents of most other
developed nations but less likely to die a cancer-related death, health researchers revealed
today. (Cancer)

CANBERRA - Federal Roads Minister Jim Lloyd said today he was opposed to speed-limiting
cars as a means to restricting young drivers. (Drivers Lloyd. N/L to come.)

MELBOURNE - A Melbourne father whose three eldest children died mysteriously while
under his wife's care, told a welfare worker that their deaths were "in God's hands",
the Victorian Children's Court was told today. (Siblings. N/L to come on merit.)

COOMA - Dozens of lightning strikes sparked bushfires which caused $16 million damage
in the NSW Snowy Mountains two years ago, an inquiry found today. (Bushfires NSW. N/L
to come.)

BRISBANE - A 19-year-old man faced Goondiwindi Magistrates Court today charged with
break and enter following an incident where an Aboriginal youth was allegedly dragged
along a river bed with a noose around his neck. (NOOSE to come)

LOS ANGELES - Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett will lead a small Australian contingent
down the red carpet at next month's Golden Globes ceremony after a number of high-profile
candidates including Naomi Watts and Mel Gibson were snubbed. (US Globes Aust. See also
US Globes Kidman.)

SYDNEY - Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Glenn Stevens speaks to Australian
Business Economists. (RBA to come. Stevens is not due to speak until 2020 AEDT. AAP will
move speech story under embargo ASAP, likely by 2000 AEDT)

more

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.