AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Dec 6

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2011
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Dec 6
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Bodies (PERTH)

Three bodies, including two children, have been found in a home in the West Australian
town of Port Denison.

According to the ABC, the bodies were discovered at a home in Damia Circle, about
60 kilometres south of Geraldton, at about 7pm (WST) yesterday.

Western Australia's major crime squad is said to be on its way to the home.

A police spokeswoman says more details about the case will be released later today.



Gay (CANBERRA)

Liberal frontbencher MALCOLM TURNBULL has revealed that he's asked his leader TONY
ABBOTT to allow coalition MPs a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

He's told ABC Radio his view is that there should be a conscience vote.

Mr TURNBULL, who represents the Sydney eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth where there
is strong support for gay marriage equality, says he's privately discussed the matter
with Mr ABBOTT.

Labor MPs will be allowed a free vote when a private member's bill, that aims to change
the Marriage Act, is presented to parliament early next year.

Mr ABBOTT has said the coalition will make a decision when it sees the legislation,
but won't rule in or out allowing Liberal and Nationals MPs a conscience vote on the issue.



Network (CANBERRA)

The federal opposition has blamed bitter antagonism between Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD
and her predecessor KEVIN RUDD for the botched Australia Network tender.

Last night the government announced it would permanently award the 10-year, 223 million
dollar contract to the ABC, after details of the tender process were leaked.

The decision ends the bid by commercial broadcaster Sky News which has now flagged
it will seek compensation.

Opposition communications spokesman MALCOLM TURNBULL has told ABC Radio this is a government
with poison at its core because of the deep bitter antagonism between Mr RUDD and Prime
Minister JULIA GILLARD.

However labor frontbencher CRAIG EMERSON has played down reports of a rift between the
PM and Mr RUDD.

He's acknowledged the leaks have impacted badly on the tender process and says the
ABC will now need to show it can perform and project a good presence into other countries.



Crisis Ratings (WASHINGTON)

Standard and Poor's has warned Germany, France and 13 other eurozone members of possible
credit downgrades as economic conditions worsen and the region's leadership remains divided
over what to do.

S&P has placed the countries on negative credit watch today, raising the stakes three
days before Europe's leaders are to meet to forge a comprehensive fix to the economic
crisis.

The S&P decision has come just hours after France and Germany announced a proposal
for a new EU treaty which would include tougher budgetary rules to deal with the eurozone
debt crisis.

French President NICOLAS SARKOZY and German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL made the announcement
after crisis talks in Paris.

Meantime the IMF has released 2.8 billion dollars in rescue funds for Greece, giving
a nod to new prime minister LUCAS PAPADEMOS's commitment to a tough reform program.

The move opens the way for the European Union to release its six-and-half billion dollar
share of the latest bailout instalment and it's hoped the funds will help Athens avoid
a default on its debt, that many fear could crack the 17-nation eurozone.



Rates (SYDNEY)

Home owners may get an early christmas present with the Reserve Bank of Australia to
decide whether to cut the interest rate at its monthly meeting today.

Economists are divided on whether borrowers will get a second interest rate cut in
as many months.

Seven of the 14 economists surveyed say the RBA will cut the cash rate to 4.25 per
cent from 4.5 per cent.

However NAB senior economist SPIROS PAPADOPOULOS says there won't be a cut this afternoon,
but expects there'll be pressure for another cut early next year.



Quake WA (PERTH)

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake has rocked West Australia's Gascoyne coastline - the largest
quake in the state this year.

The quake struck at about 3.10am (WST) today.

The United States Geological Survey says it's epicentre was 370 kilometres north-east
of Carnarvon at a depth of 9.8 kilometres.

Geoscience Australia says it could be felt by people 187km away.

There have been no reports of injury or damage.



Boat Arrive (CANBERRA)

The Navy has intercepted a boat suspected of carrying 54 asylum seekers near Lacepede
Islands, off West Australia's north-west coast.

HMAS Launceston, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, intercepted
the vessel last night.

The passengers and two crew are being transferred to Christmas Island where they'll
undergo initial security, health and identity checks before their reasons for travel will
be established.



Briefly in other news ..



Grassfire (SYDNEY)

Two teenagers have been charged with deliberately starting a fire in bushland near
an old people's home in northern NSW.



Battellino (CANBERRA)

Reserve Bank governor GLENN STEVENS has offered warm thanks to RIC BATTELLINO, his
right hand man for the past five years.



in Finance ..




At 1128 AEDT, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was DOWN eight points at 4,313.1, while
the broader All Ords was DOWN nine points at 4,370.

The Australian dollar was at 102.56 US cents, up from yesterday's close.

The price of spot gold in Sydney is 17-hundred-and-22 US dollars per fine ounce, DOWN
from yesterday's local close .



in Sport ..



RU Aust (SYDNEY)

Resurgent Wallabies back BERRICK BARNES is convinced he's almost back to his best after
producing two strong performances at the end of a tough year.

After missing the latter stages of the Super Rugby tournament due to migraines, BARNES
just squeezed into the World Cup squad.

But in the absence of the injured QUADE COOPER, BARNES then formed an exciting new
midfield combination with JAMES O'CONNOR on Australia's recent two-match tour of Britain.

The Wallabies returned home from Britain today, with winger LACHIE TURNER to undergo
scans on the thumb he fractured in the win over Wales.



Cup Vic (MELBOURNE)

Wicketkeeper MATTHEW WADE has been included in Victoria's one-day cricket squad for
tomorrow's clash with Queensland at the MCG.

WADE missed the Bushrangers' last-start limited-overs victory over Tasmania while he
was on Australia A duty.

Pace bowler STEVEN REID also comes in to the squad with RYAN CARTERS and JON HOLLAND
dropping out.



Victoria squad: CAMERON WHITE (CAPT), SCOTT BOLAND, AARON FINCH, PETER HANDSCOMB, JAYDE
HERRICK, BRAD HODGE, DAVID HUSSEY, ANDREW MCDONALD, CLINT MCKAY, GLENN MAXWELL, ROB QUINEY,
STEVEN REID, MATTHEW WADE.



Ten Open (MELBOURNE)

In-form West Australian CASEY DELLACQUA will begin her quest for victory in the Australian
Open wildcard tournament at Melbourne Park this afternoon.

DELLACQUA goes into the event as the top seed after winning six successive Pro Tour
events on the tennis satellite circuit in the past two months.

She'll face Wimbledon junior champion ASHLEIGH BARTY in the standout match of the first day.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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