The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 2

A 2 TCI ACT TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER 1997 Sttate May release extra cab licences ful. We don't want to flood the market," he said. The Roads Minister, Mr Geoff Craige, had been asked to investigate the matter and talks would be held with the taxi industry in the next few' weeks. But the Victorian Taxi Association yesterday expressed concern at the Government's plan to increase the number of cabs. The association's chief executive officer, Mr Neil Sach, said the group did not want more licences issued.

"For most of the week, there are too many taxis, if you like, on the road," Mr Sach said. "It's a question of optimising those we have." He said the association wanted to ensurelhe taxis were operated at times and lqcations where they would be of the most benefit. By 8HANE GREEN, tatt political editor The State Government is likely to issue more taxi licences to deal with a regular shortage of cabs, particularly during major events. The Premier, Mr Jeff Kennett, announced yesterday the Government was planning a two-'pronged attack on the problem more licences and ensuring existing ones were being used. The move fallows reports of difficulties in getting taxis after 'Saturday night's soccer match at the MCG.

"With the growth of major events whether it be formula one, whether it be the development of new entertainment such as Crown I there is a blatant demand 'for more taxi licences to be Issued, so that we can provide best service," Mr Kennett said. The Government is expected to issue another 100 licences in the "not too distant The Premier said there were more than 3000 licences issued for the metropolitan area, with a value of about $250,000 each. But he said the new licences would be issued at a price that was "substantially less" than the current value. Mr Kennett said the Government would aim to give the licences to current drivers. A review has shown that in many cases, the licences were held by investment companies.

He also left open the possibility of more licences issued at a rate of 100 per year if the initial allocation did not meet demand. "We've got to be care NSW feels heat as 157 fires rage New South Wales firefighters were braced for a desperate struggle today, as 157 fires burnt across the state. A massive blaze raging along 155-kilometre front in the north-east has destroyed more than half the scrubland of the Pilliga region, near Coonabara-hran and Narrabri. In an emergency message to everyone within 30 kilometres of the Pilliga front, the fire control officer, Superintendent Alan Brinkworth, said high temperatures and stronger winds meant there was a strong chance of a breakout. landowners were warned to protect their houses and move livestock to safe areas.

An extra 200 firefighters and 40 tankers have been rushed to the area from Queensland, the Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains, and for the first time in the region aircraft are dropping fire-retardant. "It has got to the stage where nothing is going to stop this fire," said a forestry fire officer, Mr Simon Cottier. "It is that hot a fire, it is creating its own wind." A spokeswoman for the Rural Fire Service, Ms Gilly Paxton, described today's outlook as with temperatures in the high 30s and winds up to 20kmh. More than 3000 firefighters were yesterday battling the fires, one-third of them still uncontained by nightfall. NT chief defends his hands-on deputy rj By CHRIS RYAN, Darwin The Northern Territory politician under fire for buying pornographic homosexual videos from a Kings Cross sex shop once suggested that lesbian 'couples would abort male children because of their hatred of men, it was revealed yesterday.

The Labor Opposition launched a sustained attack on the Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer, Mr Mike Reed, in the Territory Parliament. The Opposition called on tie Chief Minister, Mr Shane Stone, to sack his deputy, saying Mr Reed had lied about his reasons for buying the videos and that he was a hypocrite, given his stance on homosexual issues. But the Chief Minister yesterday stood by Mr Reed, claiming that his action in buying the videos was consistent with Mr Reed's "hands-on" style. "That's just him, I just don't take it seriously. Any suggestion that I would be sacking him or didn't have confidence in him is just not on," Mr Stone said.

Mr Reed has said he bought the video Hot Fireman to dem-onstrate that homosexual behavior was considered acceptable in the workplace, and Highway Hunks to show that it was a part of everyday lifestyle. The Opposition Leader, Mrs Maggie Hickey, said the excuse was flimsy and hard to believe. Raging on: David Hodge desperately attacks a backburn to stop a massive blaze spreading from its 155-kilometre front in the New South Wales Pilliga region. "It has got to the stage where nothing is going to stop this fire, a forestry fire officer said. Picture: SMH JUST BRIEFLY Union threat to Christmas calls Unions yesterday threatened to disrupt Telstra's international-call operations over Christmas in protest against proposed changes to work practices and employment conditions.

Union officials said they were unable to guarantee that Telstra would meet demand unless the dispute was settled. Man who killed daughters deluded, says coroner A Hobart man, Peter Shoobridge, was acting under a delusion when he killed his four daughters and then himself, a coroner found yesterday. The deaths were probably not premeditated, Mr Ian Matterson said. Delays expected in Bega case Police investigating the alleged murder of two Bega schoolgirls expect statements from 150 witnesses in three jurisdictions but face "quite huge" administrative problems. The Melbourne Magistrates Court was told yesterday that it would take police six months to compile evidence on the deaths of Nichole Collins, 16, and Lauren Barry, 14.

Government to fight union bid The State Government will today oppose a bid by the Community and Public Sector Union to force negotiations with the union over its latest wage claim. The Industrial Relations Commission will hear a union application designed to force arbitration of the claim. Young scientist wins achiever award A research scientist was last night announced as the winner of the Victorian Young Achiever of the Year. Dr Ross Cunningham, 27, accepted his award for work on Parkinson's disease. Sydney Morning Herald marks edition The New South Wales Premier Mr Bob Carr, last night opened an exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum to celebrate the 166-year history and edition of The Sydney Morning Herald, sister paper to The Age.

The publisher and editor-in-chief of the Herald, Mr John Alexander, said the paper was possibly the oldest continual publication in the world. Bike club members killed, court told Members of the Black Uhlan motorcycle club allegedly killed a man and burnt down his house after he stole amphetamines from them, the Magistrates Court was told yesterday. Peter John Smith, 33, was bashed and stabbed to death allegedly by two members of the club and a third man on 16 November 1995, at his home in Ilutherglen, northern Victoria. George Pires Dacosta, 29, pleaded not guilty to the murder, and was remanded to appear in the Supreme Court on 4 March next year. Black Uhlan members Graham Lindsay Sweeney, 35, and Andrew James Hullick, 36, both of Albury, have not been asked to enter a plea to a charge of murder, and are contesting a committal hearing.

The hearing is continuing. Quote of the day "To call the position irresponsible is too mild. To call it moronic would be to compliment it." Leading US ecologist Professor Paul Ehrlich of Stanford University on Australia's position on greenhouse gas limits. Online All the news and views on the day's major events are available on your seven-day-a-week site, www.theage.com.au I i 1 i 0 I iJl I i 15 With 10 off Telstra STD between 1pm and 7pm, youH want to come back from lunch early. 00 OOOGOtHifiLffll O0D9D fit 0GB QHB (S fP maWIRi (Br ocftuBR (bo mm ora WOO OttitfcOftattlO (lit QUOOOBfP oftUNin (moon conn om OB 00 0 OfflB Ottt fMJ 0 OCtt mill iNtlKMMill (MHUMIKVII V1)4tmiti hHt JJ(f.

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