NSW: Girl escapes kidnappers

00-00-0000
NSW: Girl escapes kidnappers

Police say a 17-year-old girl has managed to escape the car of three kidnappers onSydney's northern beaches and evade their attempts to recapture her.

The girl was forced into the car while walking in Avalon at 9.15pm (AEDT) yesterdayand was indecently assaulted by one of the three men.

Police say the girl made her escape after being driven around for 10 minutes.

The kidnappers pursued the girl but drove off after failing to catch her again.

The girl, from Paddington, was treated at Royal North Shore Hospital after the ordeal.

The men are described as being in their early 20s and of olive complexion.

One is said to be 192cm tall and of a thin build, the second man of medium height andstocky build, and the third to be short in stature.

Police say their red-coloured car has a black spoiler and trim with a disco mirrorball ornament hanging from the rear view mirror.

AAP RTV pw/smb

(EDS: changes location of kidnapping to Avalon in second par and not Dee Why as originally sent.)

KEYWORD: KIDNAP (SYDNEY) REISSUING

SA: Business SA welcomes no move on interest rates

00-00-0000
SA: Business SA welcomes no move on interest rates

The South Australian business community has welcomed today's decision by the ReserveBank not to lift official interest rates.

Business SA chief executive PETER VAUGHAN says the decision to maintain rates at 4.75per cent is a relief and the smart move in the light of recent developments in the globalmarketplace.

Mr VAUGHAN says being an export state, South Australia is very vulnerable to changesin the global economy.

AAP RTV tjd/rp

KEYWORD: RATES SA (ADELAIDE)

Fed: Defence chief changes mind on children overboard=2

00-00-0000
Fed: Defence chief changes mind on children overboard=2

Admiral Barrie said he was still unclear about whether or not children had been thrownoverboard until Sunday night, when he had a long and detailed conversation with HMAS AdelaideCommander Norman Banks.

He said he would not resign over the incident "... because I believe I have the confidenceof my organisation, the government and the community".

The defence chief announced a new task force would now examine what went wrong withcommunication within the military, and why the government was misled about the incidentfor so long.

He said the …

Fed: US contributes to bushfire relief fund

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2001
Fed: US contributes to bushfire relief fund

The US Embassy says America has donated $A49,450 to the New South Wales bushfire relief fund.

US Embassy charge d'Affaires MICHAEL OWENS says American firefighters will also be
available to help if the request is made.

He says Australian forces are fighting with US soldiers in Afghanistan and the countries
will come together when democratic values or families are at risk.

AAP RTV as/aa

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW US (SYDNEY)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Bakers join workers wanting to protect entitlements

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2001
NSW: Bakers join workers wanting to protect entitlements

Bakers have joined the long list of New South Wales workers taking industrial action
to protect their entitlements.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union says bakery workers from Sydney
and Newcastle will protest outside Tip Top's head office in Chatswood today.

The union's assistant secretary MARK BOYD says the move follows Tip Top's decision
to renege on an agreement to provide income protection and improve wages.

Mr BOYD says the parties were close to a deal to share costs of an income protection
scheme, but the company is now denying the deal and wants employees to pay for it by a
cut in their wage packets.

AAP RTV ph/nf/wjf/ldj

KEYWORD: BAKERS (SYDNEY)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: Brown warns Kyoto as big as GST with voters

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2001
Fed: Brown warns Kyoto as big as GST with voters

Australian Greens Senator BOB BROWN has warned of an electoral backlash for the federal
government if the Kyoto Protocol is abandoned.

Senator BROWN says the protocol, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrialised
countries, will rival the GST as an election issue.

The senator will today move a motion in the Senate condemning the administration of
US President GEORGE W BUSH for withdrawing from the 1997 international convention on climate
change.

He says Australians are worried about reports from scientists around the world that
global warming is occurring faster than earlier predicted.

He has called on the federal government to ratify the protocol.

A diplomatic offensive has been launched against the US in the wake of President BUSH's
announcement that the US will reject the protocol which imposes a 5.2 per cent reduction
in carbon-based emissions in industrialised nations by 2010.

Australian Environment Minister ROBERT HILL is to travel to the US this month to urge
the administration to rethink its position on the protocol.

AAP RTV kjp/daw/rsm/jnd

KEYWORD: US KYOTO GREENS (CANBERRA)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Family seek negotiator for Danes

AAP General News (Australia)
01-10-2001
Qld: Family seek negotiator for Danes

BRISBANE, Jan 10 AAP - The family of a couple jailed in Laos believe a mystery international
negotiator could be the best hope for freeing the pair.

The father of Kay Danes, Ernie Stewart, said today he had been contacted by an experienced
negotiator, Peter Church, who had offered his services to free Kay and her husband Kerry
Danes.

Mr Stewart said he believed Mr Church had the best chance of anyone to free the couple.

He said he could not reveal Mr Church's background apart from saying he was experienced
in negotiating the release of prisoners in …