Whas Australian newspapers say on Wednesday, April 30, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2009
Whas Australian newspapers say on Wednesday, April 30, 2009

SYDNEY, April 30 AAP - Thursday's The Australian says Australia appears well prepared
to deal with any pandemic of swine flu.

About 70 people are in isolation in every state and territory awaiting test results,
but no cases are yet confirmed.

For all the hysteria swirling around the issue, there is no cause for panic at this
stage, and, hopefully, not at any stage.

Now the internet has millions of references to it, some informative, many spurious.

As of late yesterday, Mexico remained the only nation with confirmed swine flu deaths,
believed to stand at just seven.

Hopefully, the matter will prove a false alarm.

The Australian's second editorial says like swine influenza, technologies such as Twitter
race around the world before spluttering out.

The Australian's final editorial says this month the Australian Building and Construction
Commission, the industry watchdog created by the Howard government, reported increased
intimidation and cost blowouts on Victorian construction sites. And yesterday building
union leader Dave Noonan warned of "an appropriate and concerted industrial campaign"

against the industrial laws that created the ABCC.

The unions have always hated the ABCC, created after the Cole royal commission reported
union activity was inflating building costs across the country.

The unions have always hated the ABCC, created after the Cole royal commission reported
union activity was inflating building costs across the country.

The Sydney Morning Herald says today the initiative of the NSW Business Chamber in
launching its campaign called "NSW: Reclaiming 1st" can only be applauded, and the Herald
lends its full encouragement.

The latest power blackout to hit the centre of Sydney has only emphasised the failing
condition of our infrastructure and the flagging energy in a state we would like to regard
as the engine-room of Australia's economy.

The campaign is intended to bring back a holistic approach to the state's development.

While Labor is floundering and should be heading towards a well-deserved election defeat
in March 2011, it is by no means clear that the Liberal-National opposition is ready with
better alternatives.

The SMH's second editorial says as the 10th anniversary approaches of Australia's republic
referendum in November 1999, in which the proposal failed to pass, eddies are stirring
to bring the subject back to life.

But Kevin Rudd, after earlier encouraging a fresh look at the republic, is now sending
signals that he would prefer to leave it in a coma. This would be a mistake.

Sydney's The Daily Telegraph says the price of patriotism is vaulting beyond the means
of ordinary Aussies, who lately have been hit by record lamb costs. Other items, particularly
across the meat range, are also leaping in price.

Perhaps the Government should launch a hard-hitting website that exposes grocery prices.

Armed with this information, cash-strapped consumers could choose where to shop in order
to save the most money.

No supermarket would dare inflate its prices to unreasonable levels while an official
government website was closely watching them.

The Tele's second editorial says Australia is yet to record its first confirmed case
of swine flu.

Should the worst happen and we come under attack, you'll be serving your city well
by remaining calm.

In its final piece the Tele says you can never find a taxi when you really need one.

Except if you're fleeing the scene of a murderous assault or you're a convicted drug dealer
making a prison break. These people must be excellent tippers.



The Herald Sun's editorial credits the newspaper with improving the food served to
Diggers in Afghanistan.

The editorial said soldiers have been served "vegetable gruel and overcooked meat in
greasy gravy" but will now "be treated to food fit for fighting men, care of the Herald
Sun".

"On Monday, we called on the government to get rid of the swill and do better for troops
putting their lives on the line," the editorial said.

"Yesterday, we were able to report that Australian Army cooks will now serve up a healthy
menu at the Tarin Kowt base.

"While we are appreciative of the government's quick response to our call for a square-meal
for the Diggers, this is the least the government can do as it prepares to send more troops
to Afghanistan."

Australia must push its allies to review policies on the war in Afghanistan, the editorial said.

Australia has just announced a further deployment of 450 troops to Afghanistan in a
new bid to counter Taliban insurgency, the editorial said.

But Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has previously questioned the war's direction, it said.

"The troubling point about this deployment is that, as Mr Rudd says, `the current civilian
and military strategy is not working. If anything, security in Afghanistan is deteriorating'.

"Australia must engage the US and other allies in constant review of the strategy in
Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure Australians are not locked into a long and fruitless
war."



Brisbane's The Courier Mail today says the swine flu threat is exactly the sort of
crisis that can define a leader.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh will need to navigate these waters carefully and also
get across the point that the vaccinations currently on offer do not protect against swine
flu.

The Courier Mail's second editorial says the new Department of Employment, Economic
Development and Innovation is set to be the engine room of job creation strategy over
the next three years.

Yet, instead of being preoccupied with what the department will do to help the promise
of 100,000 jobs, its executives are focused on matters such as the adoption of a new corporate
identity and `persona'.

Stop the mumbo jumbo and get to work.

AAP jfm

KEYWORD: EDITORIALS

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