What Australian papers are saying today, Dec 4, 2000

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
What Australian papers are saying today, Dec 4, 2000

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - Australia faces some uneasy questions about the forces behind the
increase in military spending expected to be outlined in the Defence White Paper this
week, says The Australian Financial Review in its editorial today.

A defence force that can isolate or even insulate Australia from uncertain trends in
regional economics, politics and dynamics will require much greater spending than will
be unveiled.

And while the spending will be necessary, the Review says, "it will not be productive
without a diplomatic strategy which ensures that Australia is seen as more than a country
with a modern defence force".

The Sydney Morning Herald says yesterday's walks for Aboriginal reconciliation in Melbourne,
Perth and Port Hedland, and those before them, have shown that people continue to care
deeply about the relationship between black and white Australians.

Equally important as Cathy Freeman's symbolic lighting of the Olympic cauldron, and
more directly related to the lives of many Aborigines, is the shift in thrust from the
Aboriginal side of the public debate on reconciliation.

Cape York Aboriginal leader spoke of welfare as poison and of Aborigines' own failure
to take care of themselves. Aborigines now have a greater realisation of the importance
of self-reliance and self-respect, says the Herald.

The task of working at reconciliation will be handed to a new body, Reconciliation
Australia. It's success will depend not only on the support of Australians generally,
but also of the political leadership, it says.

The Age says Melbourne's reconciliation walk shows that ordinary people know that reconciliation
requires symbolism as well as money.

The walk, which attracted between 100,000 and 400,000 people, according to different
crowd estimates, was different from previous events because of its bipartisan support,
the paper says.

It says that "practical reconciliation" - Prime Minister John Howard's choice - is
important, but until the simple word, sorry, is said at the highest level, all the money
spent must seem like charity.

The Daily Telegraph welcomes the move by NSW Planning Minister Andrew Refshauge to
take over planning control of the Luna Park area from North Sydney council following an
impasse over proposals to develop a 500-lot car park to ensure easy access by families.

"The new development, prudently done, will retain what is an

essential part of Sydney's character and bring smiles to the faces of a whole new generation
of children who deserve to have Luna Park restored," The Telegraph says.

Australia has much to fear if Irian Jaya tries to break away from Indonesia, says The Australian.

Like the annexation of East Timor by Indonesia in 1975,the incorporation of Irian Jaya
was wrong, the paper says, but any breakaway now would be risky and could unleash a massive
bloodbath.

The best hope lies in compromise founded on Indonesia's promise to grant its provinces
greater autonomy soon.

In the meantime, Australia must be careful not to inflame the situation with unwarranted
interference, while remaining alert to human rights abuses, The Australian says.

The Herald Sun calls on the Victorian government to pay its top staff what they are
due, instead of concealing pay rises as efficiency bonuses.

The practice was revealed last week by parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee,
which has called for an independent investigation.

The paper says this type of behaviour sets the wrong example and warns that it could
lead to "high-level rorting and illegal behaviour".

AAP rs

KEYWORD: EDITORIALS

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