Gas plant chief's threat to move to East Timor

THE natural gas industry has made a last-minute call for compensation under an emissions trading scheme, as the Federal Government puts its finishing touches to the system.
The chief executive of Woodside, Don Voelte, threatened to put a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas plant on a ship in East Timorese waters, rather than Australian, unless the company was granted compensation.
The Government has so far been adamant that LNG would not be eligible for compensation, but Woodside has lobbied aggressively for a change.
Yesterday, the Minister for Industry, Kim Carr, hinted that the Government had listened to concerns raised by the industry since a green paper on the scheme was made public in July."I'm confident we can get through this without serious difficulties in terms of ensuring that we have a well-designed program that protects the Australian economy and at the same time protects our environment," he told Network Ten.
Mr Voelte has argued that LNG exporters should be considered in the same light as other exporters whose international competitors do not have to pay for a carbon trading scheme.
Mr Carr would not rule out changes to the compensation details that were announced in July. The final version of the scheme will be unveiled in a white paper in the next three weeks. (smh)

Australian PM influenced Indonesian president's decision on East Timor

The former Indonesian President, B.J. Habibie has revealed he was pushed into making a quick decision on East Timor's independence because of a letter from Australia's Prime Minister at the time, John Howard.In 1998 Mr Howard suggested the East Timorese be given the chance to vote on independence in ten years.It was a major change in Australia's policy.Mr Howard has told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's TV Program, The Howard Years, he didn't think it would lead to a fast change in Indonesia's stance.Doctor Habibie told the same program he wasn't pleased by the suggestion that he resolve the matter over time."That means prepare them for 10 years or whatever and then after that give them their independence. ""So as I read that I was upset. It is John Howard who make me make a quick decision." (australianetwork)

Fearless filmmaker wins youth award

A young Sydney filmmaker who spent time with East Timor rebel leader Alfredo Reinado as he waged a battle against government forces has won the top film prize at this year's Spirit Of Youth Awards (SOYA).

Rebecca Parker, 26, is finishing work on Rebel Soldier, a full-length documentary about East Timor's short but turbulent history.
Parker filmed the charismatic rebel leader as he led his rebellion during 2006.
Reinado was killed by guards in February this year during an attack that saw President Jose Ramos Horta shot and critically wounded in the capital, Dili.
"I have had to carry the burden of the project myself including doing the camera, lighting, sound [and] filming in the jungle with the rebel soldiers in precarious situations," Parker said.
She is among six young Australians and a group of young rockers who walked away last night with $10,000 in cash, airline tickets and year-long mentorships from leaders in their fields.
The winners were among 1,600 artists who submitted more than 10,000 works in the award categories of film, music, fashion, photography, industrial and object design, visual art and visual communications.
The awards, in their fifth year, accept work from artists aged 30 and younger.
Industry heavyweights including fashion designer Carla Zampatti, actor Rachel Ward and television and radio presenter Adam Spencer were among the many to walk the red carpet at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art.
They were treated to a music performance by Melbourne-based music winner My Disco - comprised of band members Ben Andrews, Rohan Rebeiro and Liam Andrews, all aged 29 and who will be mentored by music producer Scott Horscroft.
The band has toured the world for the past five years and sees the award as a leg up.
"We have much more planned with the aid of SOYA," the band said.
"No rest!"(abc.net)

PIC Rebecca Parker: Winner of a Spirit Of Youth award. (AAP: Tracey Nearmy)