background briefing 2-1 ..............8

Gladys

Sandwich box carriers of Australia unite!

Did you know that the McDonald's catering contract with the Olympics forbids the taking in of your own packed lunch to any venue? Such is the power of the corporations.

We have no qualms in inciting all you ticket-holders out there to join together to protect individual freedom and smuggle in your lunchboxes. Better still, flaunt them at the gates and enjoy the pandemonium.

Cost you money but I'm available

Even before the release of the findings of the Australian Broadcasting Association's investigation into 'cash for comment', John Laws manager had attemped a new deal which bore an eery similarity with the deal with the banks.

John Fordham offered the services of John Laws to endorse SOCOG'S ticketing program after Laws attacked on air SOCOG's choice of ambassadors to spruik Games tickets. These included rugby union captain John Eales and former Sydney Swans player Tony Lockett.

'They're terrific fellows and great footballers but they couldn't sell icecream in hell,' Laws told his audience.

'If you want to sell tickets, get salesmen to sell it. I'm available - cost you money, but I'm available.If you want to flog tickets, do it the right way.' Mr Fordham said that Laws had no involvement in the approach to SOCOG and was unaware of it.

SMH 7/2/2000

Who was it?

In a response to a letter attacking the ABC for being anti-conservative, Kirsten Garrett, staff-elected Board member, offered this intriguing titbit: 'Mr Wright clearly likes his world and ideas kept simple and unchallenged. Will he take a little comfort in the knowledge that one on-air staff member has the crown tattooed on her breast as a celebration of her fascination with the Queen? True.'

SMH 21/1

From the manager of Radio Australia

Thank you very much for your support. Your article [summer issue] is spot on: it is not too late!

We know the government is going to sell or lease the Cox Peninsula transmitters, and we know a 'Bill on International Broadcasting' is going to be introduced shortly to Parliament.

In neither case is there provision for Radio Australia to be guaranteed any airtime. Senator Alston has repeatedly stated the ABC can have access-commercially- to the transmitters once they are operational again. But there has not been any promise of adequate funding to insure this.

Without additional transmitting funds, we will find ourselves in a very weak position. The ABC/RA will not be able to compete with the more hungry and wealthy competitors such as the BBC or others who are keen to start broadcasting from Cox next year.

We have no doubt that Cox will be reopened but, without adequate transmission funding, Radio Australia will not have access to the facility.

In a way, we will be in a worse situation than we are now. Not only will we still be without a voice in Asia, but our competitors will now have access to our facilities.

Thank you once again.

JEAN-GABRIEL MANGUY, Radio Australia

In further correspondence with Mr Manguy we commented on Australia Television, which was set up by ABC and later bought by Seven. A recent program on religion caused great offence in Indonesia: