The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 7

WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 1997 THE AGE A 7 Greens offer gas reduction ideas Youth, 16, charged with murder of Japanese tourist "This research shows that if the Federal Government shows vision, it alone can take steps in the right direction," Mr Downey said. The plan offers ways to reduce emissions from motor vehicles, electricity generation and vegetation clearance, which contribute about 62 per cent of Australia's total greenhouse emissions. The report says that electricity use could be reduced cost-effectively by encouraging alternative energy use' or more energy-efficient industrial and domestic appliances. The Government needed to lower costs for small producers providing energy to the main power grid, particularly alternative energy producers. Solar, wind and hydro power By TIM WINKLER, environment reporter Reducing greenhouse gas emissions would protect jobs and save Australia from environmental and economic peril, a green group said yesterday.

The Australian Conservation Foundation released a 15-point plan promoting alternative energy, public transport and controls on vegetation clearance. It said the plan would easily enable the Federal Government to meet European demands for greenhouse gas reduction. The foundation's executive director, Mr lim Downey, said a carbon tax of 0.4 cents a litre on petrol would raise about $650 million annually, which would pay for its proposed changes. By GREG ROBERTS and RUSSELL SKELTON A 16-year-old youth will appear in Cairns Children's Court today after being charged last night with the murder of a Japanese tourist, Ms Michiko Okuyama. The youth was detained earlier yesterday after a police raid on premises in central Cairns, where evidence of a violent attack, including bloodstains, was found.

Police believe Ms Okuyama, 22, from Yokohama, was murdered at the site before her body was dumped at a swamp in Manduna, a nearby suburb. Ms Okuyama, who had come to Cairns on a 12-month working visa to upgrade her diving qualifications, disappeared on 20 September, six days after her arrival. Her naked body was found in the swamp on Saturday, covered with soil and pandanus fronds. The cause of death was later revealed as blood inhalation and facial fractures, indicating that she had been beaten. Police told a media confer ence, attended by large numbers of Japanese journalists, that the youth was apprehended after reports from people that they had seen a young person pushing a wheelie bin near where Ms Okuyama's body was found.

The new Federal Tourism Minister, Mr Andrew Thomson, flew to Cairns yesterday in an effort to limit damage to the tourist trade. Mr Thomson, who speaks Japanese, gave interviews to Japanese journalists in their language, and urged them not to overreact to the murder. The Japanese media has reported extensively on Ms Okuyama's disappearance. One report in the Sankei newspaper claimed that Australian yobbos were sexually harassing Japanese women tourists in Cairns. The paper quoted a Japanese resident saying Japanese women' were frequently approached by local men who boasted that they were easy targets, compliant and easily led.

It also said the murder had caused deep unease in the Japanese community in Australia. industries had grown during the recession and encouragement of these industries would pay off, the report said. About $250 million needed to be spent improving public transport and about $7 million on implementing the national bicycle strategy. Sales tax needed to be lowered or abolished on fuel-efficient vehicles, and heavy sales tax applied to petrol Vegetation clearance needed to be reduced by allocating natural heritage funds to states, contingent upon the imposition of strict clearing controls. The plan follows recent criticism of Australian greenhouse policy by a former German government greenhouse adviser.

Speaking at a Melbourne University conference last week, Dr Joachim Spangenberg said investment banks in Europe had already started telling investors to sell off shares in German brown-coal mining firms because of expectations that the Kyoto summit would reduce demand for the product. If the rest of the world decided to reduce greenhouse emissions, Australia's coal market would suffer, whether Australia decided to join in or not, Dr Spangenberg said. The foundation's plan has been submitted to the Federal Government. PAGE A12: US backs cuts. tourcts ot Auttrallm gnonhouM gat emluhnt contribution Land clearing 20 Federal Government witholds money from states unless tight controls placed on clearing 30 Improve access of alternative energy generators to power grid; promote solarwindhydro energy 12 Carbon tax of about 0.4 cents a litre on petrol to raise $650 million to promote alternative energy.

Improve public transport. mv))m Electricity generation Motor vehicle i Source: ACF a limy1 Mi rt iiili a Buy smart on energy, says panel M'ttffi ith Ax important to help the environment by conserving energy and reducing greenhouse emissions. In a positive sign, 93 per cent of consumers said low running costs and energy efficiency were important factors when choosing an appliance. The new figures indicated consumers could make a real difference, Mr Edwards said. Tim Winkler a spokesman for the State Government authority, Mr Warren Edwards said.

Each year the Government recognises energy-efficient appliances with the national Galaxy Energy Awards and Mr Edwards said consumers would not need to buy extra appliances to save energy. A recent study by Energy Victoria found that 90 per cent of consumers thought it was Consumers could have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions simply by selecting energy-efficient appliances, Energy Victoria said yesterday. If existing buyers of new or replacement appliances selected five or six-star energy rated products, Australians would save about $38 million in energy costs and emissions would be lowered by 268,000 tonnes, fx The Sankei carried claims of Mr Thomson spoke in English Beaten to death: The body of Japanese tourist Michiko Okuyama, who came to Australia to upgrade her diving qualifications, was found at a Cairns swamp on Saturday. harassment by and Japanese to reporters. RODNEY MARK CORPORATE CLOTHING INDUSTRIAL WEAR UNIFORMS Unable to obtain or sustain an erection? IN COLOUR mitouma't iMtotti Hanoi LET US HELP YOU.

MEN ONLY MEDICAL CLINICS From Factory. Below cost Gorgeous WIDEST VARIETY Nighties Pyjamas Dressing Gownis etc. (Summer 5 Winter W-26) Also childrens maternity 10.1Sa-3.4SM IMay, TMtfraw ft FrMay 24 RIVER STREET, STH YARRA off Toon mar Chapel St LARGE RANGE PROMPT SERVICE Ph 0480 2000 J6f ALL CONSULTATIONS BY REGISTERED DOCTORS ONLY Enjoy a fulfilling sex life again "nd Now1 300 360 404 Toll Free 7 Pay confidential Hotline RUG ANTI SLIP New grip matting will stop your rug sliding on smooth floors or creeping over carpels. TABLE PROTECTOR Non-slip overlay secures again si pulls, scratches, spills, hem ttomuge, etc. 93470192 1 16 Bouverie Street, Carlton 3053 PRODUCED FOR 1UST $125 PER 500 OR $225 PER 1000 QDijIBi(rtiW Colour Envelopes PRODUCED AT AN ADDITIONAL COST CALL ENVELOPMENTS SHOP IJ VKMOr MMtK 4M rOOMK 0, rOOMK H7 0I2 773 IUKI HMD CAMMIWfU Mil 4111 DrDOLFDEROOS Urd SlHlSTORICfc' InstnictkMia from Porpetual LEARN HOW TO CREATE WEALTH THROUGH four once-only opportunity to hear internationally acclaimed Jf investor and author Dr Dolf De Roos show you how to plan your financial security through long term investment in property.

rpf Learn how a deposit of just $12,500 can get you a true 33 return on LJ invested capital! tf Learn how a purchase price of only $125,000 (or a maximum of $169,000 for a large townhouse apartment) will give you this big 33 return on invested capital pf Learn why location is still the key, and how to instantly determine the true rate of return in your cash investment in a property g( Learn to separate myth from reality hear Dr Oe Roos debunk the common fallacies involved in property investment fpf Hear why Tropical North Qld's Port Douglas offers the best growth potential raf Discover the investment opportunity at Portlinks Plantation Resort, LJ Port Douglas. Long Murrumbidgee River Frontage Highway Frontage 312 Hours Sydney 2,362 Hectares Freehold 5,836 Acres 1 iTTYrTTfTh Vsf3Tr filTiTTfT lcalcl 4km Jugiong, I Hikm Canlnrra, I27km ttappa Wagga, 340km Sydney Murrumbidgw River frontage for 9km. 3 reticulation achemes from the river make this an exceptionally well watered property. Rainfall 588 mm pa average 200 ha of river flats, undulating to hilly, mainly loamy granite soils, fertilised annually for the past II) vcars, pastures of native grasses, clovers, rye and phaiaris, irrigated and dryland lucerne, large Yellow and While Box trees. Brick homestead, circa I9I4, approx 85 si in long established garden with valley views.

3 cottages. 8 stand woolshed, sheep and cattle yards, machinery and hay sheds, workshop. Conservatively run with sheep and cattle at the rate of 3 to 3.5 DSK per acre. Uuality Poll Hereford herd of 350 cows and 3.300 Haddon Rig blood ewe flock. IIKN has never been offered for sale and is only being sold to finalise an estate.

An exceptional proierty with highway and river frontage, productive pastures and a period homestead. Which bank's term deposit rate is this big? Call into any Commonwealth Bank branch for details or phone: 5 1 ros Cattle asd Hay tNCUJDho Full details available from the Selling Agents. Colour brochure available. Finance available to approved purchasers PERPETUAL REALTY PTY. LTD.

AUCTION: 11.00am 12th November, 1 997 In conjunction with Juglong Hotel, Jugiong 3 Cofimonwaalth Bank SYDNEY: (02) 9320 6666 A.H. David Hammersley (02) 9440 8766 COOTAMUNDRA: (02) 6942 2244 A.H. Bob Holder 018 692 385 (02) 6942 2210 fVin HIMIIIII av iimi av OYrJ I I This offer ts available for a limited time on amounts from $5,000 to less than $100,000 for 4 month tenn deposits. Standard and compound interest options only. Full terms and conditions arc available on applied ton.

Government ehtirges may apply. Visit our Internet site at www.rommhank.eom.au Commonwealth Bank of Australia ACN 123 123 124 APLCDP3289 rcBrAJS'ttw. i 3 LEVELS OF HOME AND CONTENTS -lit .11 INSURANCE TO SUIT ALMOST ANY HOME OR BUDGET. 13 lOOOLfffflf ww w.fil.com.iu AT Al we believe you should only pay for as much Insurance as you need. That's why We offer our customers not one, but three levels of home and contents protection.

VITAL, CLASSIC or PROGRESSIVE. So call us for a quote. It could be worth a lot more than a phone call. FAI, we're there to take the force of the blow, 24 hours, 7 days. Call now on 13 1000 or 13 FIND FAI.

1 Conditions Apply.