Highlights of the AAP National wire at 15:30 Dec 25, 1998.

AAP General News (Australia)
12-25-1998
Highlights of the AAP National wire at 15:30 Dec 25, 1998.

MAJOR ITEMS MOVED ON THE AAP NATIONAL WIRE:

SYDNEY - Telecommunication giant Telstra Ltd could face fines of around $50 million,
following court action begun today by Australia's competition watchdog, which alleged
anti-competitive behaviour. (TELSTRA ACCC (REPEAT))

CANBERRA - French solo sailor Isabelle Autissier's arrival at Tasmania for emergency
repairs to her yacht has been delayed another day after an overnight buffetting by 30 knot
winds. (YACHT ALONE)



CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard today admitted that the country's suicide rate was a
major social problem amid, calls to do more to reduce it. (DEATHS DEMOCRATS (REPEAT))
MELBOURNE - Church leaders today reminded us that Christmas is a time of peace and caring
for others, and called for an end to war and consumerism. (XMAS MESSAGES. Also see XMAS
CHURCHES WA and XMAS DINNER WA)



SYDNEY - Thirty-three people have been killed in accidents on Australia's roads over the
national Christmas-New Year holiday period so far. (TOLL NATIONAL. N/L to come)
MELBOURNE - Elise Rivalland turns four years old today, Christmas Day. But it won't be a
day of celebration because her mother won't be there. (LIGHTNING D/L)
CANBERRA - The immigration department has come under fire over a decision to send asylum
seeks arriving in Sydney to the remote Port Hedland detention centre in Western Australia.
(ASYLUM)

BRISBANE - A One Nation parliamentarian has called for a referendum on native title
following reports a claim was lodged on a non-existent island in the Torres Strait. (WIK
WUTHATHI BLACK)

MELBOURNE - Firefighters are battling to control a bushfire which has burnt out about 15ha
of wilderness in national park bushland south-east of Melbourne. (BUSHFIRES VIC NIGHTLEAD)

CANBERRA - John Howard has a new air of confidence at the start of his second term as prime
minister. (YEARENDER FEDERAL)



CANBERRA - After two facelifts in a matter of months the federal government's fledgling Job
Network must perform in 1999. (YEARENDER JOBS)



CANBERRA - Gareth Evans used to trade insults with Peter Costello across the floor of
parliament. Now he wants the Treasurer working with him to ensure Australia becomes a
republic. (YEARENDER REPUBLIC)



MELBOURNE - In the absence of Damien Oliver, jockey Brett Prebble has the perfect
opportunity to gain a break on the champion rider in the Victorian Jockeys' premiership,
starting with seven rides at Caulfield tomorrow. (CAULFIELD N/L)

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KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL

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