HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:30, April 15

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2010
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:30, April 15

CANBERRA - A Chinese coal carrier ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef because its
crew neglected to change course as planned, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
says. (Carrier Update)

BRISBANE - The captain and chief officer of a coal carrier which ran aground on the
Great Barrier Reef on Easter Saturday have been granted bail during a brief court appearance
in Gladstone. (Carrier Court)

CAIRNS - The environmental disaster caused by the Shen Neng 1's ill-fated shortcut
attempt was not enough to stop other vessels taking the same route, including at least
one in the 24 hours after the incident, shipping industry insiders say. (Carrier Shortcut)

Carrier Wrap to come.



CANBERRA - NSW support for Kevin Rudd's health and hospital reform plan isn't a done
deal, Premier Kristina Keneally says. (Hospitals Update)

SYDNEY - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Victorian Premier John Brumby are united
in having excuses for not acting on improving Australia's health system, Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd says. (Hospitals Rudd Update)

SYDNEY - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott say he believes Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will
reach an in principle agreement with the state and territory leaders on his health and
hospital reform plan. (Hospitals Abbott)

Hospitals Wrap to come.



MELBOURNE - Embattled former Victorian police chief Christine Nixon will remain head
of the state's bushfire reconstruction authority because it would be too disruptive for
fire survivors otherwise, Police Minister Bob Cameron says. (Bushfires Black Cameron Update)

MELBOURNE - Christine Nixon has been blasted by a former senior police member who says
any other officer would have been "stripped" of their duties if they had left their post
for the pub. (Bushfires Black Cops)

MELBOURNE - Victoria's Police Association has renewed calls for former chief commissioner
Christine Nixon to be sacked as head of the Victorian bushfire recovery authority. (Bushfires
Black Davies)

Bushfires Black Wrap to come.



SYDNEY - Tony Abbott has briefly taken off his bike helmet and tucked into sandwiches
before the final leg of his Melbourne to Sydney charity bike ride. (Pedal Update). Wrap
to come.



SYDNEY - Plans will be in place to overcome any teachers' union boycott of national
literacy and numeracy tests, federal Education Minister Julia Gillard says. (Schools Gillard)



ADELAIDE - The federal government's economic stimulus package not only protected the
Australian economy but also the nation's skills base, Minister for Employment Participation
Mark Arbib says. (Skills)



CANBERRA - The public expects government ministers and their staff to work hard, Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd says amid reports those working for him and his cabinet are burnout.

(Rudd Staff)

SYDNEY - Julia Gillard has defended Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's reputation as a boss,
saying he's "very easy to work with". (Rudd Staff Gillard)



CANBERRA - An Australian tourist who died after being attacked in Thailand will be
buried there on Friday, farewelled by his pregnant Thai girlfriend and Adelaide family.

(Oake)



LOS ANGELES - Mel Gibson and his Russian girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva have split, according
to reports. (US Gibson)



LOS ANGELES - Australia is poised to lead the world in providing technology to clean
up dangerous nuclear waste, the head of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO) has announced in the US. (Nuclear ANSTO)



PORT MORESBY - OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) says a 15-day strike over pay at its mine
in Papua New Guinea's Western Province has cost the company 90 million kina ($A36 million)
in gold and copper production. (PNG Mine)


IN FINANCE

MELBOURNE - Bank of Queensland Ltd (BOQ) says it has emerged from the global financial
crisis far stronger than before and is well positioned for growth. (Bank of Queensland
(Update). Wrap to come.



SYDNEY - Collier Gloucester Coal Ltd says it has renegotiated coking coal contracts
with Asian buyers, moving to quarterly pricing and achieving a 100 per cent increase in
prices. (Gloucester Coal). Wrap to come.


IN SPORT

MELBOURNE - Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said someone should have "had the balls"

to stop Daniel Connors' drunken antics after last Saturday's loss to Sydney. (AFL Wrap)



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