AM Summary

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
AM Summary

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - The main stories in today's 0800 (AEDT) edition of the ABC's AM program:

* Labor announces an audit of its membership in order to curb further allegations of
electoral rorting. Interview with Labor frontbencher Con Sciacca.

* Queensland Premier Peter Beattie denies the Labor electoral rorting allegations should
be referred to the parliamentary electoral committee. Chairman Christopher Pyne, says
the investigation of electoral rorts is not a witch hunt. Interview with Mr Pyne.

* Labor organiser and pivotal witness Lee Bermingham appears before the Shepherdson
inquiry into election rorting allegations today.

* Australia's cricket team are being described as the world's greatest following their
world record twelfth consecutive win yesterday, but former vice-captain Neil Harvey doesn't
think they are the best ever. Interview with Harvey.

* Medical specialists continue to leave the industry because of the large insurance
premiums, blamed on high compensation payouts.

* Lawyers for US presidential candidates Al Gore and George W Bush continue to argue
in court, 26 days after the election.

* Violence between Israelis and Palestinians is diminishing slowly while leaders negotiate
options for reducing the clashes.

* The federal government's temporary ban on Internet gambling now depends on the vote
by Greens Senator Bob Brown. Interview with Senator Brown.

* A new lifestyle television program for those suffering with HIV, called Beat It,
airs in South Africa.

* The Australian dollar appears to be recovering, hitting close to the 54 US cent mark,
but a new survey shows business conditions among manufacturers are the worst since 1997.

Interview with chief economist with Commonwealth Securities, Craig James.

AAP rk/kmh/br e

KEYWORD: AM SUMMARY

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