The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 6

6 THE AGE, Wednesday 17 December 1986 Full security impossible: judge Powell says MI5 is not leakproof .1 By FIONA HARAM SYDNEY. A security service could not obtain "perfect the Supreme Court judge bearing the MIS case said yesterday. The British Government is seeking to stop the publication of the memoirs of a retired MIS officer, claiming that if the publication goes ahead the security service would lose the confidence of the CIA its main intelligence partner and would be seen to be unable to protect its secrets. "That is the greatest statement of fact this century. Of course it can't," Mr Justice Powell said.

Mr Justice Powell also said the British Government's chief witness, Cabinet secretary Sir Robert Armstrong, did not have the capacity to give "good, hard, useable He said Sir Robert had been presented as a witness who could be cross-exam- The case would have been different, Mr Justice Powell said, had Mr Wright been a member of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation who wanted to release information, and not a member of the British service. "And that is the whole fallacy of the Codd argument He thinks people in Britain won't trust Asio because MI5 leaks. Now that is the greatest piece of nonsense I have ever heard in my life." Mr Justice Powell said that, despite claims to the contrary, the CIA could not be concerned about Britain being seen to have taken insufficient steps against the book when the, MI5 trial itself had already sat for 21 days. He added that problems in the US had shown that the CIA was also not leakproof. The trial will continue in the NSW Supreme Court this morning: i Mr Asia drug ring leader jailed for 20 years SYDNEY.

A principal in the Mr Asia drag syndicate, James (Diamond Jim) Shepherd, was sentenced to 21 years jail yesterday, with no non-parole period. -Shepherd, 45, from New Zealand, took charge of the drug ring in 178 after the arrest of its leader, Terrence John Clark. Clark later died in prison in England. In Sydney's Central Criminal Court yesterday, Mr Justice Mclnerney said Shepherd was convicted last April of conspiracy to import heroin between in and 1171, for which he was sentenced to 15 years' jail with no non-parole period. Yesterday he was sentenced for conspiracy to supply heroin, to which he had pleaded guilty.

Mr Justice Mclnerney said the conspiracy was a highly organised and successful commercial operation that generated large monetary returns. Shepherd was part of the operation purely for greed and, not being addicted to heroin, he was able to pursue a flamboyant lifestyle, the judge said. He had a previous criminal record and refused to give any explanation for his involvement in the conspiracy. Shepherd will serve the two sentences concurrently. ined, but who could not admit too much.

The British Government yesterday continued delivering its final submissions in the case. Through its Attorney-General, Sir Michael Havers, it is seeking a permanent injunction to stop the publication of 'Spy Catcher' by Mr Peter Wright, who left MIS in 1976 and now lives in Australia. Mr Justice Powell also asked what credence could be given to the Australian Cabinet secretary, Mr Michael Codd who claimed that suppliers of information would think Australia could not be trusted if the book was published when Mr Codd's knowledge of the CIA was lacking. man, Mr Pescott, said Mr Dunstan was a member of the steering committee of the Geelong Transport Museum project which, he said, the Government had shelved after concern about high costs. The Government later denied that the project had been shelved but agreed it was being subjected to lengthier scrutiny than originally planned.

Dunstan accused of poor PC Lift drinking, age to 20 and penalise parents, report urges By SUZY FREEMAN-GREENE Raising the legal drinking age to 20 and fining the parents of underage drinkers are two suggestions put forward in a state ministerial committee report on under-age drinking. The Government yesterday released the report by the committee, which was set up after hundreds of people were arrested during last year's New Year's Eve celebrations. Accompanying it was a Government strategy for safer celebrations this year. The Labor MLA for Dandenong, Mr Terry Norris, yesterday said he had suggested 20 as the legal drinking age because it was time to look at all options in a bid to curb under-age drinking. The suggestion at first seemed he said, but Sweden and some states in the United States had increased their drinking age limits to 20 and 21 with dramatic effects.

The. US federal government even compensated some states for loss of revenue from alcohol sales. Mr Norris said one of Australia's greatest problems was that alcohol advertising was increasingly being pitched at young people, particularly with the new "cooler" drinks emphasising The president of the Australian Hotels Association, Mr Darryl Washington, said yesterday parents should be liable to pay fines if their under-age children were found drinking. He said responsibility for preventing under-age drinking should be shared across the community. Mr Washington said the AHA had proposed to the Government that the Australian ID card, if introduced, should be color-coded for age so hoteliers could decide when to sell alcohol.

The ministerial report says other suggestions put to the committee included the banning of alcohol consumption in public either generally, on specified days or in specified areas, and the power for police to close a licenced premises under circumstances such as the presence nearby of a large and unruly crowd. PAGE 13: Claude Forell's comment. -j museum plan ter responsible for tourism, Mr ruruuaiu, sam me unai steering committee report on the project had not been completed. She said there were cost estimates of between $16 million and $26 million, depending on details of different proposals for development of the museum and on the amount of private investment that could be attracted to the project Taking advantage of a brief lull in the rain, children play on St Kilda beach in front of the restored bathing pavilion opened yesterday. Restored pavilion is opened amid champagne and rain FOOT WEEKS UEFUflOT) SUBSCMBE By FIONA ATHERSMITH As rain fell yesterday and the grey of a still bay merged with the overcast sky, a group of officials, champagne in hand, gathered on St Kilda's foreshore to open two lavatory blocks.

Those present included Victoria's Minister responsible for tourism, Mr Fordbam, the tourism commissioner, Mr Dunstan, and the Mayor of St Kilda, Mr Keith McGregor. The opening of male and female lavatories in St Kilda's restored bathing pavilion might seem a trifle mundane for champagne, but more was at hand. The lavatories, which also provide changing areas and showers for bathers, are part of a $l-miIlion development which has turned the once dilapidated and vandalised 57-year-old pavilion into a complex boasting a seafood restaurant, casual bistro facilities, a kiosk and lavatory facilities for the disabled. JGaqghy Chard AUSTRALIAN OFE1A SEASON Mr Justice Powell "The greatest statement of fact this century." He said that while an Australian court might not protect the British secret service, that did not imply it would not protect Australia's. judgment on Mr Pescott claimed that the projected costs of the museum had grown substantially to $26 million from their original estimates of $16 million.

The decision to shelve the project, he said, showed that Mr Dunstan had not shown adequate judgment A spokeswoman for the minis make Leona Mitchell Threat to holiday flights ends as department changes plans Hi The development Is part of the St Kilda Tourism Development Plan a joint project by the State Government, St Kilda Council and the private sector. Mr Fordham said the plan aimed to recapture the reputation St Kilda had as a "gracious and elegant seaside resort" in the late 18Ms and early IMOs. Other areas to be restored Include the shopf rents of Fitzrey Street, the Storehouse building on the foreshore Into a tearooms and cafe, the Palais Theatre, Luna Park, Kerby's kiosk, and St Kilda pier. It Is also planned to turn Acland Street into a mall between Carlisle and Barkly Streets and develop South Beach and Catani Gardens. Mr Dunstan said that after development the St Kilda area would be equal to the Rocks in Sydney and would "improve the quality of life of local residents, visitors and should be attractive to stoppage from Thursday at all Melbourne airports.

The spokesman said the department did not want to disturb the sensitivities of the unions over staffing. He said the department had originally acted because there was less need for routine maintenance over Christmas; it had not intended to lower safety standards. A spokeswoman for the Association of Draughting, Supervisory and Technical Employees said the department had reversed its staffing decision after pressure "from above" to avoid an industrial dispute. "I think it's a happy out Move to heal aid CANBERRA. A joint ministerial council has been proposed to improve communication between the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The council proposal, which would probably involve annual meetings between several senior ministers from the two countries, emerged from a two-day meeting hicles in 1985. The organisation's national general manager, Mr Allan Hand-berg, blamed sales losses on the devalued Australian dollar, the fringe benefits tax, high interest and sales tax rates and a "general climate of political and consumer Between them, the four Melbourne dealers to be axed employ about 100 people. Four dealers in Sydney also were given a year's notice, as well as two in Adelaide and two in Perth, reducing Mazda Motors' national dealer body from 196 to 184. Mr Noel Vaneed, whose Vaneed Dennis Olsen Jsw Richard dredger By SIMON CLARKE The State Opposition yesterday resumed its attack on the chairman of the Tourism Commission, Mr Don Dunstan, when it claimed that a multi-million dollar development he was associated with in Geelong had been shelved by the Government. The Liberal tourism spokes- Rosamund ft.

7 THE 1987 Handel's Alcina Following of Covent Australian Kenny leading role. Gilbert Patience Dennis and audiences hilarious Sullivan Puccini's Manon Leona Vienna and Melbourne following Lescaut at Meale's Voss This landmark Melbourne Geoffrey Britten's Peter Melbourne's Richard in this Donizetti's La Fille By BRENDAN DONOHOE The Department of Aviation yesterday abandoned plans to reduce staff over Christmas. The threat of disrupted holiday flights fizzled within 24 hours of union warnings that members in radio, radar and maintenance would strike for three to seven days over the plans. A department spokesman said the dispute bad been "put to bed" after talks with union officials yesterday. The department agreed to maintain existing staff over Christmas week on penalty rates.

In exchange, the Association of Draughting, Supervisory and Technical Employees, the Electrical Trades Union and the Professional Radio and Electronics Institute of Australia agreed to talks with the department in the new year on cost-cutting. The department also agreed to maintain usual firefighting services at Moorabbin airport after the Federal Firefighters Union threatened to hold an indefinite an overwhelmingly successful tour Garden, Vienna, Salzburg and Paris, international soprano, Yvonne returns to Melbourne to star in the Sullivan's Olsen, perennial favourite of critics alike stars in the witty and production of this Gilbert and favourite. Lescaut Mitchell, darling of New York, Rome, San Francisco makes her first stage appearance in this role, stunning performances as Manon the New York Met Australian opera stars favourites Marilyn Richardson and Chard in the tide roles. Grimes own Joan Garden stars opposite Greager following personal triumphs Thane come," Ms Judith Klepner said. "Our people had no alternative but to threaten industrial action.

This issue of reduced staffing is raised every year." Meanwhile, the ACTU and the Victorian Trades Hall Council are expected to try today to settle a four-week strike by Electrical Trades Union members in the La Trobe Valley, in a demarcation dispute with metal workers. More than 500 ETU members in the valley have imposed bans on SEC installations in support of their striking colleagues. The SEC says there is no immediate threat to electricity. rift with PNG of officials on the relationship. A delegation of senior PNG public servants brought drafts of a "declaration of principles" and an "integrated development package" to the meeting.

The talks appear to have made significant progress in healing the rift over Australia's decision to slash its annual aid to PNG Mazda plan Motors at Cheltenham is one of those to be axed under the rationalisation, said yesterday he was bitterly disappointed. He said Mazda Motors had notified him of their plan by mail, and he had not been offered any financial compensation. It is believed that Mazda Motors' workforce will be cut by 148 to 311 by the end of this financial year, with most of the lay-offs in Sydney. Mr Handberg said the plan made "good business sense" because it reduced overheads and costly duplication and developed greater administrative efficiencies. success? Four dealers to close in Melbourne will lose four of its IS Mazda dealerships within a year under a Mazda Motors "rationalisation" plan to axe 12 of its outlets around Australia and to close its main parts and distribution centre in Mazda Motors has announced its "extensive restructuring program" after reports that its sales this year were down 43 per cent, a figure confirmed yesterday by Mazda's public relations officer, Mr Mike Quist.

After being the largest-selling imported nameplate for the past 25 years, Mazda is expected to sell only about 15,000 vehicles this year. It sold more than 29,000 ve staggering masterpiece. du Regiment Illing returns from London to her role debut in this sunny comedy. Verdi's La Traviata This superb production makes its State Theatre debut starring Amanda Thane as in The key to personnel AT ALFRED a ARKS, VJE LISTEN. vioietta.

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