Category: Archive

Tasmanian timber giant Gunns Ltd has to pay two Greens politicians it wants to sue nearly $70,000 in legal fees, reported The Courier-Mail (10 August 2006 p5). The Victorian Supreme Court on 9 August assessed what Gunns owed Australian Greens leader Bob Brown and Tasmanian Greens leader Peg Putt following the striking out of writs against the pair last year.

Two high profiles out of 20 defendants: Senator Brown and Ms Putt are among 20 environmentalists and groups being sued by Gunns over alleged protest activities.

Confusion reigns in courtroom: Two statements of claim lodged in the Victorian Supreme Court by Gunns have already been thrown out of court. Defendants had argued the document was so unclear it was impossible to-know what they had to respond to.

Round three decision pending: The judge hearing the case described parts of the claim as "unintelligible" and legally "embarrassing". A third statement of claim is before the court. Defendants have applied to have the 66,000-word claim thrown out and are waiting on a decision.

Gunns feeling it in hip pocket: The court assessed that Gunns owed Senator Brown and Ms Putt $69,385 for their legal costs fighting the first writs. It also assessed Gunns owed fellow defendant Helen Gee $17,544 for her legal costs. Costs for the remaining 17 defendants are yet to be determined.

Still being damaged financially – by court costs: Gunns alleges the defendants engaged in actions which damaged it financially and is seeking damages of $6.9 million. It lodged its first claim against the defendants in December 2004.

The Courier Mail, 10/8/2006, p.5 Mercury

Source: Erisk Net  

The cost of converting to Autogas varies between $1500 and $3400, depending on the type of vehicle and system used, and it could be even less if the Government goes ahead with its proposed $1000 subsidy, reported The Sydney Morning Herald (10 August 2006 p2).

High demand creates supply shortage: Some mechanics have turned customers away as there was a two-month wait for LPG tanks in some areas.

Happy customer: John Ferlandes, of Punchbowl, had his car converted to Autogas’ two weeks ago as he was fed up with rising petrol prices. Mr Ferlandes previously spent about $120 a week to fill up his four-wheel-drive Nissan Patrol, but now pays only $50.

Well worth the expense in long run: The conversion cost about $2500 – "more than worth it", according to Mr Ferlandes, who has travelled 700 kilometres in the car over the past four days. "I would estimate it will pay itself off in about six months," he said.

But do your sums: However, the fuel was not appropriate for all cars, said Dominic Iacullo, the owner of Glow Automotive in Campsie. "If you’re doing only 10,000 kilometres in your car a year, I would advise against LPG conversion as it would take about six years to see any financial benefits."

The Sydney Morning Herald, 10/8/2006, p.2

Source: Erisk Net  

ACT records its coldest and warmest winter temperatures, both on the same day. Full story