HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 18:45, Dec 19

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2008
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 18:45, Dec 19

CANBERRA - A very fast train linking Melbourne with Canberra and Sydney is at the top
of a federal government wish list for road and rail projects. (Infrastructure Wrap, to
come with factbox)

CANBERRA - The federal government's own climate adviser has savaged parts of its climate
change plan, describing the assistance to big business as "over the top". (Climate Garnaut
Wrap (with factbox))

CANBERRA - Some of the biggest polluters are set to reap billions of dollars in assistance
from emissions trading, according to an analysis commissioned by environmentalists. (Climate
Business)

CANBERRA - Heavy polluting industries will be allowed to pollute even more under the
government's "flawed" emissions trading plan, the Climate Institute says. (Climate Institute
- embargoed until 0100 AEDT Saturday)

CANBERRA - Stuart Nash, an Australian fighting for Britain in Afghanistan, was a courageous
soldier who served with honour, UK Defence Secretary John Hutton says. (Afghan Aust Wrap)

MELBOURNE - Operators of the latest round of childcare centres to close say they were
deceived by management who had told them they were not connected to the troubled ABC Learning.

(Childcare Wrap)

CANBERRA - Rights groups are outraged over the federal government's decision to open
an immigration detention centre on Christmas Island, which they say resembles a high-security
prison. (Boat Wrap)

SYDNEY - As a sixth grader Joanne Ethell dreamt of being a pilot, and following her
father and grandfather into the cockpit of a plane. (Planes Wrap)

ADELAIDE - Jobs will go but South Australians have been spared tax hikes as the state
budget slides into deficit thanks to the global financial crisis. (Crisis SA Wrap (with
factbox))

MELBOURNE - The woman dubbed the 'catch me if you can' thief will help authorities
catch other fraudsters by revealing her trade secrets in a police training video. (Harris
Wrap)

BANGKOK - Australian Andrew Hood says he's devastated by the prospect of life in a
Thai jail after being arrested at Bangkok's international airport allegedly carrying three
kilograms of heroin. (Thai Aust)

PERTH - Debt-laden miner OZ Minerals Ltd has closed its Avebury nickel mine in Tasmania
and lost almost $400 million in expected revenue because of a 68 per cent fall in the
price of the metal. (OZ Minerals Wrap)

SYDNEY - Macmahon Holdings Ltd's share price has slumped to a four-year low as the
slowdown in mining forced the engineering contractor to cut its first half profit forecast
by as much as 35 per cent. (Macmahon Wrap)

PERTH - Australia's bid to set South Africa a large total to chase in the first Test
at the WACA is delicately poised after losing three wickets in Friday's post-lunch session.

(Cricket Aust Tea Update)

TO COME: Cricket Aust Wrap, Cricket SAfrica Wrap, Cricket Aust Snapshot, Cricket Aust View

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KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATED

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