8 News Wednesday, August 6, 2008 smh.com.au The Sydney Morning Herald BHP Unis say 18 should be the new 25 relents on

Harriet Alexander investment returns, the academic scholarships and lowering the meant funds were available for exchange rate changes, the HECS debts for students with low The submission from the Uni- Higher Education Reporter workforce was ageing, they relied age of independence from 25 to new buildings but not to fix old ability of our universities to at- socio-economic status (SES) and versity of Technology,Sydney said GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG longwall on international students and 18 so younger students could re- ones, and grants for research were tract the foreign students that to lower the age of independence the quality of teaching and learn- UNIVERSITIES have warned they expected a fall in the school- ceive income support. not accompanied by the labor- are absolutely vital is going to be initially to 21 and later to 18. ing in Australian universities was the Federal Government not to leaving population. The University of NSW vice- atories needed to conduct it. severely affected. So what we’re Students cannot receive in- going backwards compared with squander its chance to overhaul ‘‘Universities in Australia have chancellor, Fred Hilmer, said the ‘‘There are ticking time bombs trying to do is fund long-term, come support until they are 25 the rest of the world and Govern- mining higher education, saying the reached a tipping point,’’ it said system was geared towards that, if we don’t deal with them, enduring institutions on the basis unless they meet strict criteria. ment funding needed to be set at a system is at a ‘‘tipping point’’, in a submission. ‘‘Urgent re- growth at all costs and universities are going to make it ... a seriously of a short-term, volatile market.’’ ‘‘Both sides of politics ... have competitive level. Ben Cubby with a dangerous reliance on medial action is therefore had more incentive to increase impaired system,’’ Professor Submissions to the higher edu- shown that they’re willing to in- The University of Western Syd- Environment Reporter international students. needed or we will fall far behind students in lucrative disciplines Hilmer said in a video on the cation review being conducted by tervene and strategically reduce ney called for a new student in- GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Universities Australia, which the countries in our region.’’ such as business or law,where the UNSW website. a former University of South Aust- HECS in terms of national come support system that took BHP Billiton has decided to re- represents the nation’s 38 univer- The submission recommended HECS was highest, than areas ‘‘The stability of our funding ralia vice-chancellor, Professor priorities and we’re saying low into account the costs of study- strict its search for coal under sities, said their future was uncer- devoting 2 per cent of GDP to with genuine skills shortages, base has changed dramatically Denise Bradley, closed yesterday. SES participation should be a pri- ing, rent, transport and living as some of Australia’s richest farm- tain because market conditions higher education by 2015, remov- such as engineering. and we are now very like the The National Union of Students ority,’’ the union’s president, An- well as increased subsidies for ing country, at Caroona, near could reduce philanthropic and ing the income assessment from A ‘‘perverse’’ incentives system mining industry where, if the called on the Government to cut gus McFarland, said. indigenous students. Gunnedah, but farmers are con- tinuing a 20-day blockade against the mining giant. In a shareholders’ report to be published today, the company says environmental concerns are the main reason for narrowing its search to ridge country sur- Dance loses vital, rounding the Liverpool Plains. The news is scant comfort to the farmers whose land is still being targeted for coal mining against their will. charming leader ‘‘With the effect of the subsid- ence from longwall coal mining, it Valerie Lawson Nutcracker for the Australian Ballet. would probably make farming as GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG She appeared in revivals of the work we know it impossible within 10 SHEspentherlifeindance,firstasa whichtoldthestoryofhowballetin years,’’ said Tim Duddy, a land- teenager with the Ballets Russes, Australia developed through the holder whose family has farmed then as a choreographer,director, Ballets Russes tours. in the district for six generations. teacher and coach. Her career began in 1940, two Mr Duddy’s family and neigh- ValreneTweedie,whodiedon weeks before her 15th birthday,when bours have maintained a block- Monday in Sydney,was a vital part of she and four other girls auditioned in ade against BHP Billiton the dance community until May when SydneyforthethirdBalletsRusses prospectors since July 18. They she was due to take part in a Ballets company to visit Australia, called the say that drilling bore holes hun- Russes symposium in Adelaide. Original Ballet Russe. The audition dreds of metres into the earth The day she was due to travel, wastakenbytheprincipaldancerof could contaminate the under- Tweedie collapsed and, some weeks the Ballets Russes, David Lichine, and ground aquifers that make the re- later,was admitted to the Sacred the impresario who brought the three gion’s alluvial soil unusually rich. Heart Hospice in Darlinghurst, where Ballets Russes troupes to Australia, Half of Mr Duddy’s farm is in she died of cancer aged 83. Colonel Wassily de Basil. the area slated for further explo- Tweedie, who danced as Irina Without telling Tweedie’s mother, de ration, and his family faces the Lavrova, was the first Australian to Basil released a statement to the press prospect of coal mine infrastruc- announcing that Tweedie was the only ture within a few hundred metres successful candidate and she would of their house. Up to 300 farmers ‘We have lost an join his company on its tour to the US. have joined the blockade. Her mother initially objected, but BHP Billiton paid the State important figure in our Tweedie was determined and left Aust- Government about $100 million dance community.’ raliain1940todancefirstintheUS two years ago for the right to and South America, and then in Cuba. search for coal and will make a DAVID MCALLISTER, artistic director, Australian Ballet Tweedie returned to Australia in decision on whether to proceed 1952andbecametheartisticdirector with large-scale mining by 2011. of the National Theatre Ballet. ‘‘While there are significant jointheBalletsRusses,whichtoured Formanyyears,Tweedierana Poise and elegance ... the ballerina who danced with the Ballets Russes, Valrene Tweedie, in her days as a dance student. coal deposits under the flood- the nation in the 1930s. ballet school near Central Station in plain, due to the sensitivity of the She danced on stage for the last Sydney,where hundreds of young floodplain and associated agricul- time seven years ago in Stephen dancers took class – among them, ture to subsidence, these coal de- Baynes’s ballet, Requiem,representing briefly,Murphy. posits cannot be efficiently awomanwhohadreachedserenityas Tweedie said that when Murphy extracted with current longwall she approached death. first asked her to dance Clara in The technology,’’ the general manager In her 70s Tweedie coached the Nutcracker she was ‘‘scared to death’’. of BHP Billiton’s Caroona coal Australian Ballet, judged compe- Butonceintotheseason,shefound project, Stephen David, said. titions, taught as a freelance teacher performing again ‘‘wonderful’’. ‘‘Exploration drilling to date, and even attended classes herself. The Nutcracker,shesaid,was and other survey work, suggests The choreographer Graeme Murphy ‘‘really close to my heart as a story’’. the surface topography and land said,‘‘Shewaspartofthedanceworld David McAllister, the artistic use on the ridge country have until the end. She had a real passion to director of the Australian Ballet, potential to co-exist with some know who was doing what.’’ said yesterday,‘‘We have lost an level of subsidence associated Murphycastherastheageing important figure in our dance with longwall mining.’’ former ballerina, Clara the Elder,in the community and a wonderfully beau- Longwall mining involves carv- 1992premiereseasonofhis tiful and charming lady.’’ ing out huge horizontal slabs of coal underground and can cause widespread surface damage. The Government is considering Advertisement another application for a coal ex- ploration licence on the Liverpool Plains. It has reportedly received a Lyne House of Representatives by-election bid of $600 million from the China Shenhua Energy Company for the licence, as well as bids Her career began just before her 15th birthday ... Tweedie is pictured on the right. ‘‘A wonderfully beautiful and charming lady’’ ... Tweedie at home inDoubleBay. from BHP Billiton, Xstrata and other mining companies. Get a Advertisement Oakeshott cuts both ways for Nats move on Mark Davis The Nationals federal ment. Their candidate for and Alexandra Smith leader, Warren Truss, accused Port Macquarie is likely to be Division of Lyne GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Mr Oakeshott of helping Leslie Williams, a nurse who THE independent state MP Labor, which will not stand stood against Mr Oakeshott House of Representatives Robert Oakeshott’s decision to in Lyne. last year. seek a switch to federal poli- ‘‘No doubt he will have Labor and the Liberals are Update your tics has presented the Nation- considerable support from both unlikely to contest the als with a headache at the Labor and other forces in his state seat. A Nationals win by-election federal level but a chance to campaign,’’ Mr Truss said. would raise the coalition to increase their representation Mr Oakeshott secured 36 seats in the lower house – in State Parliament. 80 per cent of the two-party 14 Nationals and 22 Liberals. enrolment now Mr Oakeshott announced preferred vote last year in the The Premier, Morris I have received a writ issued by The Hon. Harry Jenkins yesterday that he would state seat of Port Macquarie, Iemma, said Labor should not MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives for the stand as an independent can- Robert Oakeshott ... wants which makes him the favour- waste its time or money con- didate in next month’s byelec- to move to federal politics. ite to win the byelection, on testing a candidate in Port election of a member of the House of Representatives for tion for the federal seat of September 6. Macquarie. ‘‘It’s a National the electoral Division of Lyne in New South Wales. The Lyne, which is being vacated dent team recognises we will That would hurt the Party stronghold ... the last There will be a by-election in the federal electoral Division of Lyne on following dates have been fixed for the purpose of the by the former Nationals fed- be outspent by other cam- Nationals federally, keeping time we ran the seat I think by-election: eral leader Mark Vaile. paigns by at least 20 to one,’’ their numbers in the House of the vote was 26 per cent.’’ Saturday 6 September 2008. If elected, he would pursue he said. Representatives at nine (after Adatehasnotbeensetfor The deadline for enrolling for the first time or getting back on the Close of rolls: Friday 8 August 2008 at 8.00pm issues including locals’ desire ‘‘However,we believe in our Mr Vaile’s departure) and the state byelection because for more doctors and dentists, community, we have a proven creating more pressure for a Mr Oakeshott has not yet electoral roll has now passed. Close of nominations: Thursday 14 August 2008 funding for Pacific Highway track record of 12 years in Queensland-style merger resigned from his state seat. If you are on the roll and need to update your address details there’s still at 12 noon roadworks and ‘‘maximum State Parliament of delivering with the Liberal Party. It is unlikely to be before dollars for our region’’ from for our community and we But Mr Oakeshott’s decision October 18 because of the time but you’ll have to get a move on. Complete an enrolment form and Polling: Saturday 6 September 2008 Return of the writ: on or before Wednesday the Federal Government’s are excited and enthusiastic means the Nationals are Lyne byelection, the local return it to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) with your updated new infrastructure fund. about the opportunity that is almost certain to secure government elections and details by 8pm 8 August 2008 or you’ll miss out on your vote. 12 November 2008 ‘‘The Oakeshott indepen- before us.’’ another seat in State Parlia- school holidays. Enrolling and voting in the by-election is compulsory for all Australian Nominations of candidates for the Division of Lyne House citizens aged 18 years and over who reside in the federal electoral of Representatives by-election must be received by the Division of Lyne. Divisional Returning Officer for Lyne at Shop 4, Manning Arcade, 20 Manning Street, Taree, before 12 noon on Check now if your enrolment details are current by visiting Thursday 14 August 2008. The sum of $500 in cash or Martian soil maynothave life after all www.aec.gov.au any AEC office or call 13 23 26. a cheque drawn by a bank or other financial institution For an enrolment form visit www.aec.gov.au any Australia Post office, Richard Macey Week reported that the White Smith said. His team was melting snow ‘‘people have on itself must be deposited with the Divisional Returning GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG AEC office or call 13 23 26. Enrolment forms are also available at any Officer at the time of the delivery of the nomination. House had been alerted checking to ensure the per- been growing crops in the Medicare office or Centrelink office. WEEKS after being billed as about a find concerning the chlorate was not contami- Atacama Desert. They have Ian Campbell, Electoral Commissioner fit for growing asparagus, it ‘‘potential for life’’ on Mars. nation accidentally carried to grown beans and sweet corn, now seems the red soil of One Australian scientist Mars by Phoenix. all sorts of stuff. I have been If you are on the electoral roll but have moved to a new address, Monday 4 August 2008 you must complete a new enrolment form and return it to the AEC Mars may not be quite so speculated that the dis- Jon Clarke, a Mars Society there and eaten it.’’ friendly after all. covery may have involved Australia geologist, conceded Dr Clarke said perchlorate’s by 8pm Friday 8 August 2008. After days of growing chemistry found in waste his punt that Phoenix may discovery could solve a Division of Lyne House of Representatives by-election, speculation about an import- excreted by life. have detected some by- 32-year-old Martian mystery. Division of Lyne House of Representatives by-election, ant discovery,NASA finally re- In June Phoenix scientists product of life was wrong. In 1976 NASA’s two Viking Saturday 6 September 2008 vealed a secret yesterday. announced that initial tests by But although perchlorate landers reported evidence of Saturday 6 September 2008 Its Phoenix lander, which one instrument revealed Mar- was ‘‘a very toxic compound, life. When the landers added touched down in May, has tian dirt was ‘‘the type of soil like bleach’’, its discovery did water and nutrients to soil found not the chemistry of you’d probably have in your not rule out Martian life. samples they gave off tell-tale life, but perchlorate – a toxic, backyard’’ and ‘‘you may be ‘‘It just depends how much gasses typically excreted by highly corrosive compound able to grow asparagus’’ in it. is there,’’ he said. well-fed microbes. But when used in household cleaners, But the mission’s chief Chile’s Atacama Desert was no trace of carbon was de- LYNE explosives and rocket fuel that scientist, Peter Smith, yester- one of the few places on Earth tected, scientists presumed LYNE can destroy organic matter. day said a second instrument where it formed naturally, Dr the nutrients had merely re- NASA’s announcement ‘‘has revealed un-Earthlike Clarke said. ‘‘It is an intensely acted with some unknown, Authorised by Tom Rogers, Roden Cutler House, 24 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW Authorised by Tom Rogers, Roden Cutler House, 24 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW halted rumours triggered aspects of the soil chemistry’’. dry place. It even looks like lifeless chemistry. That chem- when the journal Aviation ‘‘This is surprising,’’ Dr Mars.’’ But with water from istry may be perchlorate. TBA 008