What Australian newspapers say on Wednesday, August 15, 2007=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2007
What Australian newspapers say on Wednesday, August 15, 2007=2

The Canberra Times says Australians should welcome the news that the High Court's female
representation has been doubled with the appointment of Susan Kiefel.

In other respects, Kiefel's appointment was exactly what might have been expected from
an attempt by the Howard government to mould the High Court in its own ideological image,
as she is regarded as a conservative, `black-letter' lawyer.

"Thanks to its longevity, the Howard government has had a greater opportunity than
most - this is its sixth appointment - to stack the court with conservative judges," the
paper says.

"Kiefel's appointment [should not be equated] with a judicial breath of fresh air:
in the short-term, at least, we will get competence but very little colour."

Adelaide's The Advertiser says South Australia's health system is world class with
highly competent specialists, doctors and nurses staffing the state's major hospitals.

Photos in yesterday's Advertiser of patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital lying
in beds in crowded waiting rooms are distressing, but must be viewed in the context of
mid-winter demand for medical treatment exacerbated by a flu epidemic.

"Health Minister John Hill is, rightly, establishing 24-hour regional medical centres
which can absorb many of the cases now being handled by hospital emergency and outpatient
departments," the paper says.

"South Australians should have confidence in their health and hospital system, and
a genuine expectation of further improvement."

Hobart's The Mercury says amid stock market jitters, the turbulent federal election
campaign and a bitter pulp mill debate, new Tasmanian investment figures are encouraging.

Consultancy firm Access Economics says nearly $8 billion worth of investment has been
announced in the 12 months to June, 44 per cent more than the year before.

"An encouraging sign is that investments are being made in almost all sectors of the
economy, from retail to agriculture and mining, by both government and private enterprise,
involving businesses large and small," the paper says.

"Economic growth brings its own problems, with fears of a widening gap between those
enriched by the changes and others pressured by rising costs of rent, food, petrol and
power."

Darwin's Northern Territory News says much of the effort to end indigenous disadvantage
is aimed at tackling alcohol abuse.

The NT government is spending millions of dollars a year on combating the problem but
gambling is also at crisis levels.

"Heavy gambling is part of the addictive behaviour that is widespread among indigenous
people ... caused [by] the sense of worthlessness that comes from dispossession," the
paper says.

"Rebuilding the self-esteem of Aboriginal people will take a generation of commitment
by Territory and federal governments."

Perth's The West Australian says nothing has happened to change the newspaper's view
that making Paul Omodei leader of WA's parliamentary Liberal Party was a breathtaking
piece of stupidity which would spread gloom among the party's supporters and glee in the
WA government.

The opposition led by Mr Omodei is effective in neither of its crucial jobs, which
are to check and test the government on its use of authority and to present itself to
voters as a feasible alternative.

"Tt is a symptom of the disarray in the party that, for all the ambitions festering
in it, no one else wants the job - for now," the paper says.

"It is well past time for the WA Liberals to come to their senses, acknowledge that
the party is in crisis, set aside old grievances and self-interest and unify to remake
it as a political force."

Brisbane's The Courier-Mail says despite a flu epidemic, the worst drought for more
than 100 years and disruptive roadworks, crowds will still turn out at the Brisbane Exhibition
for the People's Day public holiday.

The 10-day show is the event that brings the city and the bush together.

"Since the first Brisbane Show, the Exhibition has been a social highlight each year
except two: 1919, the year of a great influenza epidemic; and 1942, when the showgrounds
became a camp and staging post for troops preparing for war," the paper says.

"The drop in crowds this year is being blamed on the national flu outbreak."

AAP ec/cmc

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