QLD:Emergency crews work through fire rubble

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2011
QLD:Emergency crews work through fire rubble

Police and emergency crews are working through the rubble of a gutted house in Queensland,
searching for the remains of two families who died in a fire overnight.

Logan Police Superintendent NOEL POWERS says they don't know the sex or ages of the
victims, but 11 people of Pacific Islander heritage remain unaccounted for.

Neighbours earlier said five or six children had lived in the house.

Supt POWERS says some of the experts called to respond to the tragedy had helped in
the aftermath of the Bali bombings, and warned formal identification of the victims could
take some time.

AAP RTV tnf/psm/

KEYWORD: FIRE POLICE (BRISBANE)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Roommate would have been alarmed with armed gun in room

AAP General News (Australia)
02-21-2008
NSW: Roommate would have been alarmed with armed gun in room

A roommate of Private JAKE KOVCO has told the New South Wales Coroners Court .. he'd
have been alarmed if he'd known there was a loaded weapon in his barracks room.

Lance Corporal ROBERT SHORE is giving his second day of evidence at the inquest on
the death of Private KOVCO .. who was shot in the head with his own pistol in Iraq two
years ago.

A medical report made a fortnight after the shooting was read and tendered to the …

VIC:Love and loss in Vic swan lake drama

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2011
VIC:Love and loss in Vic swan lake drama

By Kellee Nolan

MELBOURNE, April 27 AAP - A father swan in Melbourne who tried to keep his unhatched
chick alive after his mate was cruelly killed has found new love with an inner-city divorcee.

The faithful black swan had warmed the nest of his unhatched egg for three weeks after
his mate was struck and killed by rocks allegedly thrown by a group of teenagers.

The mother swan had been sitting on the egg for one week at a park in Moonee Ponds,
Melbourne's west, when she died.

The father vigilantly took over the nesting duties, until Tuesday night, when a pair
of black swans from inner city Albert Park came flying in.

Locals saw him leave the nest, first to defend his territory, then to fight off the
other male and win the heart of the visiting female.

"That probably left him leaving the egg a little longer than he should have, unfortunately,"

Moonee Valley Council conservation officer David Hope told reporters.

He said the swan had to defend his territory, because if he had lost it, he would have
had nowhere to raise his cygnet. He had nothing but praise for the swan's devotion to
his nesting duties.

"He was juggling it so fantastically, I was about to put him up for father of the year
and then this happens," Mr Hope said.

On Wednesday morning, the father was trying both to court his new love and look after his egg.

"He was torn between two worlds - the new female, the egg. He had a lot going on," Mr Hope said.

Mr Hope rescued the egg and took it to Melbourne Zoo, where native bird experts checked
it and found it had become chilled and would never hatch.

Despite the sad ending, he said, a new chapter of this swan lake story would now begin
with the father "strutting his stuff" with his new bird, who was part of a tracking program
at inner-city Albert Park.

"She's a recent divorcee, believe it or not. They check them regularly and just recently
she broke up with her partner, only a couple of weeks ago."

As to how the swan managed to outdo his competitor to win her heart, Mr Hope said it
was probably sheer power and size, but then again, it could have been his fatherly devotion.

"She's probably been reading the papers and hearing about how good a father he is."

Locals watching the fate of the widowed swan and his egg would be saddened by the loss
of the cygnet, but pleased to see the new romance.

"Certainly they're rapt to see two swans back in the lake again, and to have that back
is going to be very important for the healing process for the community, because you know
there's going to be a happy ending, with new cygnets on the way, hopefully."

Four youths have been interviewed by police over the death of the mother swan and are
expected to be charged on summons.

AAP kn/pmu/jl

KEYWORD: SWAN WRAP (FILE PIX AVAILABLE)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Kore Telematics to Present at IT Expo East's M2M Evolution Conference

Wireless News
02-04-2011
Kore Telematics to Present at IT Expo East's M2M Evolution Conference
Type: News

Kore Telematics, a digital wireless services provider specializing in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, announced that its Director of Marketing Stein Soelberg will lead a presentation titled "Top Considerations when Making an M2M Network Services Partnering Decision," at IT Expo East's M2M Evolution conference, being held through February 4, in Miami Beach, Fla.

In Soelberg's presentation, the Company said attendees will learn which factors should be considered when making an M2M network services decision. Whether developing a wireless solution for mHealth, utilities, mobile payments, security or any other vertical, certain basic principles can be followed to create an efficient and effective M2M strategy and ensure your network service partner selection criteria are met for the short and long term.
The presentation will provide insight on how attendees can take advantage of multiple networks to maximize geographic service delivery capabilities and centralize device management through one portal. Soelberg will also address considerations such as pricing plans specific to M2M applications, minimizing network usage, international roaming issues, device certification and long-term device upgradeability and reliability.

What: Presentation titled: "Top Considerations when Making an M2M Network Services Partnering Decision"

Who: Presented by Stein Soelberg, director of marketing, Kore Telematics

When: Thursday, February 3, from 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: IT Expo East 2011 / M2M Evolution Conference

Miami Beach Convention Center

Miami Beach, Fla.

According to a release, Stein E. Soelberg is the director of marketing of Kore Telematics. He leads a team responsible for Kore branding, advertising, customer engagement, loyalty, partnership and public relations initiatives designed to propel the Company into the 21st century. With more than 15 years of technology marketing experience in the business-to-business software, Internet services and telecommunications industries working for leading companies such Cbeyond, EarthLink, Yahoo and Netscape Communications, he brings with him a track record of launching successful MVNOs and building those brands into leaders in their respective market segments. With its track record and brand reputation already established, Soelberg's mandate is to help maintain Kore a brand in the M2M industry as M2M continues to expand and proliferate internationally. He holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College.

Kore Telematics is a fully digital wireless network provider specializing exclusively on the expanding machine-to-machine (M2M) communications market.

More information:

www.koretelematics.com

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

Copyright 2011 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a

NSW:Bones found in Belanglo State Forest

AAP Sports News (Australia)
08-30-2010
AFL:Knights "wants to coach again"

By Robert Grant

MELBOURNE, Aug 30 AAP - Dumped Essendon coach Matthew Knights has expressed his disappointment
at being axed but his manager insists he wants to continue coaching.

Knights, whose contract was terminated by the Bombers board on Sunday, spoke briefly
on Monday, saying he would take the next few days to consider his immediate future.

He was sacked after the 14th-placed Bombers won just two of their last 12 games.

Essendon have agreed to pay out the remaining two years of his contract at a cost of $800,000.

"I'm obviously disappointed but we'll look at things as the week goes on and at some
stage I'll come out and speak to the media," Knights said.

"I'll do that in due course but I certainly won't be rushing the situation - I don't
feel there's any real need to do that under the circumstances."

Knight's manager Dan Richardson said Knights was keen to coach again despite being
dumped midway through a contract.

"My feeling is that he will still want to stay in the industry and want to coach,"

Richardson said.

He said Knights originally felt "anger and a little bit of bitterness".

"But he's a strong person, Matthew, and I think he will get through that and be better for it."

Richardson said Knights knew he was under pressure but his sacking on Sunday still
came as a shock.

"You'd have to be silly not to realise there was certainly going to be some pressure
come the end of the year and he was well aware of that," Richardson told Fairfax Radio.

"I think to some degree though it was unexpected.

"I think from what he had been told by some players and people around the club that
he might be able to get through.

"The problem was from day one from the start of this year that I don't think anyone
came out strongly enough from the club and said that we can guarantee that he will be
coach next year.

"I guess that opened the door for the events to take place the way they did."

The early favourites to replace Knights as Essendon coach are former Port Adelaide
premiership mentor Mark Williams and current Bombers assistant Alan Richardson.

Essendon's most recent premiership captain James Hird has again ruled himself out of
the race, although he is certain to be courted by Bombers officials.

Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson was sympathetic about Knights' situation, saying it
highlighted the "terrible" part of AFL football.

"It's a tough, tough circumstance and every club at some point of time goes through
it," Clarkson said.

"Our club went through it five or six years ago with the departing of Schwabby (former
coach Peter Schwab), who was a decorated son.

"Essendon will work their way through it as best they can I suppose and the same with
Knighta too.

"It's the terrible part of AFL footy unfortunately."

AAP rg/jds

KEYWORD: AFL BOMBERS UPDATE

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Australian hospitals "coped - just" with the swine flu

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2010
FED: Australian hospitals "coped - just" with the swine flu

An intensive care unit doctor says Australian hospitals have coped with the swine flu
.. but only just.

Sydney-based Dr IAN SEPPELT says at the peak of last winter's outbreak .. the system
was stretched almost to the point of turning people away.

He says swine flu accounted for up to 20 per cent of all patients in the nation's major
intensive care units.

Officials say 191 deaths were recorded in Australia .. that are formally attributed
to the swine flu since the nation's first case was detected on May 9 in 2009.

AAP RTV dr/it/wz/af

KEYWORD: FLU YEAR (SYDNEY)

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Vic: 104 neighbourhood safer places identified = 3

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Vic: 104 neighbourhood safer places identified = 3

Authorities have been criticised for not identifying neighbourhood safer places sooner.

But Victorian Premier John Brumby said it was a complex process that had to be done properly.

"I've said before that the worst possible thing that the CFA could do is say `here's
a safer place' and it's not actually safe," Mr Brumby told reporters on Tuesday.

"So they've gone through a rigorous program testing those places.

"We've always said that there will be some places in the state just because of the
nature of their geography ... where you can't responsibly identify a neighbourhood safer
place."

AAP cmb/gfr/dep

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES BLACK 3 MELBOURNE (RE-OPENS)

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Main stories in today's 3AW news

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2009
Main stories in today's 3AW news

MELBOURNE, April 30 AAP - Main stories on 3AW noon bulletin:

- Billionaire philanthropist Richard Pratt laid to rest in a simple traditional Jewish ceremony.

- Son Anthony Pratt says the patriarch left his family with a lesson on how to live their lives.

- World Health Organisation asks countries around the world to brace for a swine flu pandemic.

- US the first country outside Mexico to record a flu-related death.

- One person dead, others trapped in car wreckage on a Bacchus Marsh road.

- Victorian cold snap sets new record, the coldest day for a morning in more than 50 years.

- Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon says new 40,000-seat stadium close to Docklands
is just one idea to help cash-strapped AFL clubs.

- Prime Minister Kevin Rudd briefing state and territory leaders on the state of the
economy at COAG meeting in Hobart.

- President Barack Obama marks 100th day in office by warning hard work still ahead
to revive the US economy.

- Police step up hunt for a man over a sickening attack at a Southbank bar.

- Finance, All Ords up 74 points at lunch, the Aussie dollar is buying 72.85 US cents.

- Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt survives high speed car crash.

AAP sjm/gfr

KEYWORD: MONITOR 3AW 1200

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Bus drivers threaten strikes over 'spy cameras'

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-2008
NSW: Bus drivers threaten strikes over 'spy cameras'

The New South Wales government says it has no plans to remove CCTV cameras from the
state's buses .. even though drivers are angry about the cameras being used to spy on
them.

A spokeswoman for transport minister DAVID CAMPBELL says many drivers really like them
.. as do passengers .. because it makes them feel safe.

And acting premier CARMEL TEBBUTT says the cameras aren't about keeping an eye on drivers
.. but about passenger and driver safety.

But the Rail .. Tram and Bus Union says management is using footage taken from the
six to nine cameras on each State Transit Bus to question the ability of drivers rather
than deal with safety issues.

The union's calling on the state government to remove the one camera on each bus that's
turned on the driver.

RTBU spokesman RAUL BAONZA says the government's using the cameras to discipline drivers
when they pull out of bus lanes or have to stop suddenly.

He says bus drivers are leaving the job as a result.

AAP RTV cjb/crh

KEYWORD: BUSES (SYDNEY)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Tas: Suspicious house fire in Georgetown

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2008
Tas: Suspicious house fire in Georgetown

Police in Tasmania say they're treating a fire at a vacant house last night as suspicious.

Fire crews were called to the Georgetown house .. in the state's north .. about 11.45 pm (AEST).

Police say the damage is estimated at 300-thousand dollars .. and anyone with information's
being asked to call Crime Stoppers.

AAP RTV ees/tm

KEYWORD: HOUSE (LAUNCESTON)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Fed: More questions needed on Rein company disclosure: Nelson

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2008
Fed: More questions needed on Rein company disclosure: Nelson

MELBOURNE, April 11 AAP - Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says more questions
need to be asked about Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's failure to disclose to parliament one
of his wife's companies.

Dr Nelson said he did not accept Mr Rudd's office's statement that there was no need
for the prime minister to disclose the company because it was dormant.

The company, Invisage, is owned by Mr Rudd's wife Therese Rein and is reported (EDS:
The Australian) to have received $160,000 of public money from the government over four
years up to last May.

Speaking to reporters in Melbourne while visiting a Frankston hospital as part of his
national listening tour, Dr Nelson said Mr Rudd needed to be asked why he had not disclosed
the company and what else he had to disclose.

"He's diligent enough to disclose the fact that he's received a pen or a bottle of
Grange Hermitage wine but for some reason he's forgotten the fact that his wife still
has a company that earned $165,000 over the last four years," Dr Nelson said.

"They're the questions he needs to be asked."

Invisage was created by Ms Rein to specialise in corporate training, coaching, mentoring
and personal development.

Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier said Mr Rudd was not required to declare
a company owned by his wife on parliament's registry of interests.

"When you look at the technicality of what needs to be declared, this didn't need to
be declared," she told ABC Radio.

"In any event, it is an inactive company that is in the process of being wound up.

"As I'm advised it's been inactive since 2006 and it's going to be formally deregistered
at the end of this financial year."

AAP kn/szp/ce/srp/mn

KEYWORD: REIN LEAD

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Couple charged with baby's death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2007
Qld: Couple charged with baby's death

BRISBANE, Dec 8 AAP - A man and woman have been charged with manslaughter following
the death of a two-month-old baby boy in Townsville.

A 26-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, both of Oak Valley, have been charged with
one count each of manslaughter following the death of the baby, police said.

The infant was taken to Townsville General Hospital and died shortly after arriving
on December 1.

Police have not confirmed how the baby died or the relationship of the man and woman to the baby.

The pair will appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court today.

AAP nm/arb

KEYWORD: BABY

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Veterans march by any means neccessary

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2007
Qld: Veterans march by any means neccessary

By Evan Schwarten

BRISBANE, April 25 AAP - Some required the aids of walking sticks or wheelchairs while
others were chauffeured in Jeeps, taxis and golf buggies - but still Brisbane's veterans
turned out in great numbers to mark Anzac Day.

Organisers estimate up to 10,000 people took part in this year's march while thousands
more lined the streets to watch the parade.

Children waved flags, their parents cheered and applauded as the parade wound its way
through Brisbane's CBD for more than two hours.

Though there were no World War I veterans left to march and the population of World
War II veterans is dwindling, the parade continues to grow in popularity, much to the
delight of diggers.

"It's great. I've noticed over the years the crowds are getting larger and larger,
the spirit is getting better," Vietnam Veteran Ray Baxter, 70, said as he marched with
his medals on one breast and those of his father-in-law, a Gallipoli veteran, on the other.

World War II veteran Laurie King, 88, needed the help of a wheelchair and son Greg
to march this year, but was clearly delighted to be back at the parade after several years'
absence.

"It's really important, it means a lot. You think of all the boys who didn't come back,
especially your comrades," he said.

Mr King, who served for about three years on Bougainville, said he was happy to see
the large number of young people attending.

"It's good that the younger generation now are appreciating all our boys who went west."

This year's parade took on added significance for retired Lieutenant-Colonel Rick Culpitt,
with the discovery last week of the bodies believed to be those of two of his men missing
in action for more than 40 years.

Human remains, believed to be those of Lance Corporal Richard Parker, of Sydney, and
Melbourne's Private Peter Gillson, were uncovered in a timber plantation 60km from Saigon
- now Ho Chi Minh City.

Both men died in the battle of Nui Gang Toibut and their bodies could not be retrieved.

The bodies have yet to be officially identified, but Mr Culpitt said the discovery
had lifted the burden of many of his former soldiers.

"I'm delighted the remains have been found. It's always been a very difficult thing
for my troops to handle emotionally," he said.

"For us it's been 40 years (of waiting)."

Earlier today, Prime Minister John Howard attended a dawn service at Greenslopes Private
Hospital in Brisbane's inner south. He told the crowd of about 1,000, that Anzac Day would
retain its "hallowed" position well into the future.

AAP ews/cjh/cdh

KEYWORD: ANZAC QLD MARCH LEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Man falls 30 metres from cliff near Bondi beach

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2006
NSW: Man falls 30 metres from cliff near Bondi beach

A man has fallen 30 metres from a cliff near Bondi beach.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service says the 35-year-old fell from a cliff on Sunday
afternoon at a golf course in Dover Heights .. adjacent to north Bondi.

Westpac spokesman AMANDA DONOHUE has told Macquarie Radio he's a fractured leg .. he
has lost a significant amount of blood and he's suspected spinal injuries.

AAP RTV vpm/wz

KEYWORD: FALL (SYDNEY)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Qld: Pre-school teacher to face trial over tying up student

AAP General News (Australia)
08-17-2006
Qld: Pre-school teacher to face trial over tying up student

A Brisbane pre-school teacher .. accused of taping the mouth of a four year old shut
and tying him to a mattress .. will face a summary trial in October.

50-year-old ANNA MONSOUR .. a pre-school teacher at the Holy Rosary School at Windsor
in Brisbane's inner north .. is charged with three counts of common assault on June 15
and 16.

It's alleged MONSOUR tied the boy in her pre-school class to a mattress to make him
go to sleep during nap time .. and taped his lips to stop him talking.

In the Brisbane Magistrates Court today .. MONSOUR'S solicitor .. TERRY O'GORMAN ..

said his client will plead not guilty.

MONSOUR .. who's on bail .. was excused from appearing in court today.

A two day summary trial has been set down in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for October
30 and 31.

AAP RTV smk/sc/cp/bart

KEYWORD: MONSOUR (BRISBANE)

) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

FED: Howard support suffers from IR, Beazley hits record low

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2006
FED: Howard support suffers from IR, Beazley hits record low

A new poll shows Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD'S voter satisfaction rating has fallen
markedly following his industrial relations changes .. but Opposition Leader KIM BEAZLEY
continues to fare poorly.

The Newspoll of nearly 12-hundred voters .. published in The Australian newspaper today
.. found Mr HOWARD'S satisfaction rating fell six percentage points to 47.

Dissatisfaction with his performance rose six percentage points to 45 per cent since
the previous poll.



Mr BEAZLEY has also taken a three-point plunge in voter satisfaction to 26 per cent
.. a record low for his seven years as Opposition Leader .. with his dissatisfaction rating
also hitting a record 61 per cent.



Labor is still in front on a two-party preferred basis at 52 to 48 per cent .. but
its primary vote sank three percentage points to 39 per cent .. while the coalition's
primary vote remains unchanged at 41 per cent.



A separate Newspoll on the government's industrial relations changes .. also published
in today's Australian .. shows a fall in support across the board.

AAP RTV ajc/rs/psm/

KEYWORD: NEWSPOLL (SYDNEY)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

NSW: Second night of violence in Sydney

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2005
NSW: Second night of violence in Sydney

Eleven men have been arrested and seven people .. including a police officer .. injured
.. during a second night of violence in Sydney.

In what may be a reprisal for the mob attacks on Australians of Middle Eastern appearance
at Cronulla on Sunday .. cars carrying up to 50 men drove into the suburb last night
.. smashing car windows and shop fronts with baseball bats.

Gunshots were heard near Northies Hotel .. opposite North Cronulla beach.

A group of about 200 mostly Muslim men gathered at the Lakemba Mosque .. apparently
after rumours of an imminent attack on the building.

Rocks and flares were thrown at police as the crowd dispersed .. and a female constable
was hit on the knee.

Police were also hit by projectiles at Brighton-le-Sands .. as they tried to control
a crowd of about 100.

And in South Maroubra .. police say more than 30 molotov cocktails and crates of rocks
were found during a search of rooftops.

Six people were arrested in Cronulla and on the Kingsway .. in nearby Caringbah ..

after shops and vehicles were damaged there.

And two men and three youths were arrested at Maroubra Beach .. after police discovered
a replica pistol in the bushes.





The injured include a Bexley couple .. attacked as they left a restaurant in Caringbah
about 10pm (AEDT) last night.

A 35-year-old Lansvale man suffered head injuries and severe facial bruising after
being attacked at a youth hostel at Caringbah.

And a 45-year-old Cronulla man suffered broken ribs and head injuries after he was
attacked when he put his garbage bin on the street.

Also in Cronulla .. a 51-year-old Woolwooware suffered a fractured forearm after he
was attacked with a baseball bat.

AAP RTV kjd/jmt

KEYWORD: SURF (SYDNEY)

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

Vic:Bracks admits files fiasco was 'major error' but defends OPI

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2005
Vic:Bracks admits files fiasco was 'major error' but defends OPI

MELBOURNE, Aug 9 AAP - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today defended the Office of
Police Integrity (OPI) after it inadvertently sent hundreds of sensitive police files
to a private citizen.

Mr Bracks described the gaffe as a "major error" but said the state ombudsman George
Brouwer, who also heads the OPI, had handled it appropriately.

"People should have confidence in the office," Mr Bracks told Southern Cross radio.

"On occasion if there is an error the first thing is you face up to it.

"You say 'that was an error', that you apologise for it and you take action to find
out why it occurred and ... accept what the remedies are."

Confidential files on more than 400 people were sent by the OPI to a woman in country
Victoria in May after she complained that a policewoman had breached her privacy by accessing
her files.

Mr Brouwer has blamed the blunder on a mail clerk and initially said the watchdog could
investigate the matter itself.

But he bowed yesterday to mounting pressure and called in the privacy commissioner
Paul Chadwick to examine the circumstances surrounding the error.

Mr Bracks backed Mr Brouwer's explanation in a statement yesterday as a "clerical error".

"It's commensurate with the problem involved, that is that an error was made in the
dispatching area where private and confidential material was sent."

The premier rejected long-running calls from the opposition to replace the OPI with
a royal commission as he and his police minister Tim Holding came under fire in parliament
today.

Outside parliament, Mr Doyle said the privacy commissioner lacked the resources to
deal with all aspects of the bungle.

Instead, a retired judge with sufficient powers should be appointed to investigate the affair.

"As it stands we have got a real crisis of confidence in the watchdog that this government
set up," Mr Doyle told reporters.

"The government seems intent, instead of facing this and fixing it, in sweeping it
under the carpet."

Mr Doyle said the OPI should be abolished and a royal commission set up "to clear the
decks" over Victoria's gangland killings and police corruption.

Earlier Police Minister Tim Holding told ABC Radio the OPI's bungle was "inexcusable".

Nonetheless, he defended Mr Brouwer's handling of the issue, saying he had apologised
and "hasn't tried to cover it up in any way".

Mr Holding said the privacy commissioner would "test" the ombudsman's explanation of
the mistake and investigate what could be done to improve the security of confidential
information held at the OPI.

AAP nl/mh/jt/tnf

KEYWORD: FILES NIGHTLEAD

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.

HP Announces Participants in Library Technology Access Pilot Program and Provides Barrier-free Workstations.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2002

Company Leading Effort to Increase Information

Access for People with Disabilities

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced the first round of libraries to become part of the Library Technology Access (LTA) initiative. The initiative is a strategic relationship that HP formed with the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies -- a division of the American Library Association (ALA) -- to help develop accessible computer workstation solutions in libraries nationwide for people with disabilities.

The four public and two university libraries selected for the first phase of the LTA initiative are the Cleveland Public Library, Milwaukee Public Library, Johnson County Public Library (Kansas), San Diego Public Library, University of South Dakota and Arizona State University.

As a key part of this initiative, HP is donating 12 workstations to the six chosen libraries to demonstrate the solution. Future plans of the initiative call for the development of resources that further expand the pilot program in an effort to connect people with disabilities with the benefits and opportunities of the information revolution.

"The Library Technology Access program demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships that increase the access to technology for persons with disabilities," said Jim Weynand, vice president and general manager, HP Public Sector Organization. "Our technology, our people and our legacy give us a unique vantage point and capabilities to help ensure everyone can use technology as a means to learn, work and thrive."

Breaking Down Barriers

The LTA initiative's Internet-connected workstations will consist of ergonomic furniture, a Compaq Evo PC, an HP Scanjet scanner and HP LaserJet printer, Microsoft(R) Office software and a variety of assistive technology products that address the needs of library users with visual, hearing, mobility or learning disabilities.

In addition to the furniture and equipment, training materials are being developed for librarians and patrons. HP also will provide technical support services for the workstations. These barrier-free workstations were developed with input from ALA conference attendees, including hundreds of librarians, as well as community leaders who visited the HP Accessibility Pavilion at a focus group at HP's Palo Alto campus.

"The American Library Association is extremely pleased that HP has become a library champion. The HP and ALA partnership will improve services to patrons with disabilities in six libraries in the short-term and has the potential to affect library users with disabilities in libraries throughout the United States in the long-term," said Keith Michael Fiels, executive director, American Library Association. "Equity of access is a key library function and we are pleased to work with HP to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to access library resources."

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) represents state library agencies, specialized library agencies, multitype library systems and independent librarians who work outside of traditional library settings.

The LTA initiative serves as a full-service offering for libraries nationwide. HP, together with the ASCLA, will document a comprehensive, repeatable process that defines the building of LTA workstations, making it easy for all libraries to participate. This user-friendly guide allow for the expansion of the initiative by offering ALA members information on how to purchase equipment and software, access training materials and implement the workstations within their respective libraries.

A Leader in Corporate Citizenship

One of HP's corporate objectives is to be an exemplary corporate global citizen by engaging in public-private partnerships and modeling behavior and activities through the company's governance, environmental policy and practices, community engagement models and e-inclusion initiatives to bridge the digital divide.

"We're working to define the role companies can and should play working in collaboration with other sectors to solve some of the fundamental problems in the world," said Debra Dunn, senior vice president, HP Corporate Affairs. "Our aspiration is that HP be viewed as a real leader in this space. A leader in forging new kinds of relationships with non-profit organizations and governments."

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and companies across the nation are offering a variety of programs to educate employees and their communities on the importance of accessibility in the workplace. An estimated 54 million Americans live and work with a visual, hearing, mobility, speech or cognitive disability. HP is a national sponsor of National Disability Mentoring Day.

More information about the Library Technology Access initiative is available at http://www.hp.com/accessibility.

More information about HP's global citizenship efforts is available at http://www.hp.com/go/globalcitizenship/.

About HP

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its merger transaction involving Compaq Computer Corp. on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

Carphone Warehouse, AOL Europe and AGENCY.COM Deliver Pan-European WAP Portal; Mviva Offers Wireless Internet Services to WAP Phone Users.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2000

AGENCY.COM (Nasdaq:ACOM), a leading international Internet professional services firm, announced today the completion of development for the launch of Mviva, a pan-European WAP portal developed in conjunction with Carphone Warehouse, the UK's leading independent mobile phone retailer.

AOL Europe is also a significant partner in the venture, with a 15% stake in Mviva.

In February 2000 Mviva awarded AGENCY.COM the contract to develop and implement a pan-European, multi access portal. AGENCY.COM, in tandem with Carphone Warehouse and AOL Europe, have created a richer, more valuable user experience for Mviva's mobile Internet customers.

Mviva is a transactional mobile portal, delivering content over a variety of handheld devices as well as the traditional PC. It provides access to a wide selection of content and services available from Mviva's carefully chosen partners. Users can shop, customize their news and sports results, access email, and make vacation, movie or restaurant reservations. Mviva has to-date made arrangements with over 50 third party content and service providers, to offer information, e-commerce and other services, including:

-- Universal inbox, e-mail, and diary

-- News headlines, breaking news, sports, travel and weather

-- Games, movie and theater listings and horoscopes

-- Transactions including gaming, auctions, share trading, CDs

and tickets

"Mviva is a great new way for users to experience the mobile Internet," Max Alexander, CEO of Mviva, said. "With it they can shop, get the latest news or read their email, either on their mobile phone or regular PC. What's more, it provides a personalized experience across both Web and WAP."

The service will initially be available in the U.K., France, Holland, Spain & Sweden, with content localized for each market. Mviva allows users to customize the services that they use on both their WAP phones and on the Web site and synchronise email and a digital diary.

"AGENCY.COM has helped us create a site that makes the best of the mobile Internet easily accessible to everybody," said Alexander. "Mviva is a technically advanced site, designed to make the mobile Internet an enjoyable reality for all users with WAP devices. It also allows for extremely efficient maintenance and upkeep, as it is totally synchronized with a single XML service description."

About Mviva

Mviva is the first independent, pan-European Internet portal and will be installed initially in WAP enabled mobile phones sold via the CPW Group. It acts as a gateway for customers who want to get connected to the mobile Internet, offering a range of its own and third party content and services. It is extremely easy to use and is available initially in 5 countries: UK, Holland, Sweden, Spain and France. Ultimately, there will be a roll out across all European countries that the Carphone Warehouse Group operates in.

Mviva is a multi-access internet portal, which means it will be accessible via mobile and fixed line communications devices including as well as mobile phones: PDAs, PCs, lap-top computers and interactive TV. Customers can subscribe to the service by either visiting the Mviva Web site or going into a CPW group store. The service will be available to them regardless of device or mobile network operator.

About Carphone Warehouse

Carphone Warehouse is the only pan-European retailer of mobile telephony products and services. It is the leading independent retailer of mobile phones and accessories in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden, in terms of market share.

About AGENCY.COM

AGENCY.COM is a leading international Internet professional services firm. The company provides an integrated set of strategy, creative and technology services that takes clients from concept to launch and operation of their interactive businesses. Founded in January 1995, AGENCY.COM is headquartered in New York and has U.S. offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Woodbridge (NJ) and Vail (CO), with international offices in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Paris, and an affiliate office in Singapore. AGENCY.COM serves a broad and diversified global client base in a variety of industries, including 3M, Bank of America, British Airways, Colgate-Palmolive, Compaq and Heineken. For investor information, please visit our Web site at http://www.agency.com/investors or call AGENCY.COM's Investor Relations line at 212/358-2702. To receive press releases going forward, please send contact information to investors@agency.com or call 1-877-721-3006 for a fax copy.

Matters discussed in this release may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may be materially different. Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from anticipated events or results include risk factors and other items that are contained in AGENCY.COM's reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Vector Announces Annual Savings of $120,000.

Business/Energy Editors

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2000

Vector Energy Corporation (OTCBB:VECT) announced that the holder of 20,625 shares of its Class AA Preferred stock has elected to convert its holdings to common shares and to accept all accrued dividends in additional common shares. All common shares issued in the conversion will be restricted. This will result in the issuance of approximately 2.7 million shares of common stock. It will also reduce the annual dividends due to preferred shareholders by over $120,000.

Vector Energy Corporation is a Houston-based company primarily engaged in the acquisition, development, and production of natural gas and crude oil and the development and implementation of the EZSERV Internet technology.

This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, no assurances can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct.