DOMESTIC
Queensland storms: A series of storms that have been reported as the worst in over thirty years hammered South East Queensland throughout last week, the first storm causing damage to over 8,000 homes, with a second deluge bringing the reported claims bill to somewhere between $125-200million. Storm damage spread to other parts of the state, with the Central Queensland mining town of Blackwater hit hard on Thursday, and there were fears of more wild weather to come.
Australia: In probably the most hyped film opening ever in Australia, the movie “Australia”, directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman opened in Sydney last week assisted by over 10,000 media mentions across the week. Reviews were widely described as good but not great and the possible positive effect on tourism was widely discussed.
Climate change: There was more speculation that President-Elect Barack Obama would agree to an emissions trading scheme and targets, although climate change was not a hot topic at either the G20 or the APEC agenda.
Tathra tragedy: Two small boys were swept off a pier and drowned at the small NSW South Coast town of Tathra, their father also drowning after he followed them into the water in an attempt to save them.
HMAS Sydney: Several commemorations were held for the crew of the HMAS Sydney, the wreck of which was found earlier this year off the Western Australia coast.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
G20 Summit: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd returned from the G20 summit early last week, after the meeting had settled on a series of international agreements on broad policy principles for tackling the global financial crisis, but no specific measures on increased regulation or an international framework.
California bushfires: More million dollar homes were razed to the ground and thousands of people evacuated as bushfires continued to rage across Southern and Central California.
BUSINESS NEWS
ABC Learning: Concern and uncertainty continued for many parents this week, as the future of all the child care centres owned by ABC Learning remained uncertain, despite assurances from the Government and a funding package organised by its chief creditors.
Car industry assistance: Debate continued over the wisdom of spending more money to attempt to prop up the Australian automotive manufacturing industry, particularly given the troubles of two of the three local manufacturers parent companies in the United States.
TALKBACK
The future of Ben Cousins and the movie Australia got plenty of talkback discussion along with all of its general media coverage, but longer term issues that continued to be discussed included concern over the future of ABC Learning’s centres and general economic conditions.
SPORT
There was intense speculation throughout the week leading up to the decision to allow Ben Cousins to play the 2009 AFL season, with the League putting strict conditions on his return; Australia and New Zealand cruised into the Rugby League World Cup final, with the Kangaroos the short priced favourites after beating the Kiwis easily earlier in the tournament; and in what was widely reported as an undeserved victory, Marco Bresciano scored in the third minute of stoppage time to secure a one-nil win for the Socceroos over the luckless Bahrain, the win putting Australia in a strong position to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, while the Bahraini campaign is effectively over.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“At the end of the day, all you've got is your story, so try to make it a good one" Australia Director Baz Luhrmann
Tracking the media, monitoring the message
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