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BRISBANE -- A peanut farmer has been accused of destroying the home of the sacred Rainbow Serpent at historic Ban Ban Springs near Gayndah, central Queensland. Local Aboriginal tribes say a farmer, who sank a bore near the now waning springs to irrigate his crops, is ruining a priceless sacred site. Wakka Wakka Jinda tribal elder Mavis Hawkins said on May 20 that the springs are one of the most important Aboriginal sites in Queensland.

MELBOURNE -- Approximately 200 litres of the toxic chemical benzene was spilled from a tanker docking at Coode Island on May 16. The same tanker, the Stolt Azalia, leaked 600 litres of benzene in November. Benzene is a class three chemical, grouped with mercury and asbestos as among the most dangerous substances. Paul Addams, a spokesperson for the Hazardous Materials Action Group, said, “Coode Island remains a chemical time bomb. Houses stand within 400 metres of this most recent accident. People's health suffers because the government cannot make up its mind about closing Coode Island.”

PERTH -- State transport minister Eric Charlton announced on May 19 private tendering for bus, ferry and train services. The first tenders, for Perth's ferry services, would be called within a few months, with operations due to start in October. Contracts for bus services in Joondalup, Mandurah and Armadale would be operating by February. The aim of the restructuring would be to cut costs by $46 million a year.

PERTH -- The Metal and Engineering Workers' Union has decided not to appeal against the April 21 decision of the WA Equal Opportunity Commission. Gail McIntosh and Heather Horne were awarded $92,000 when it was proved that their employer, Clough Engineering, and their union did nothing to stop sexual harassment against them.

SYDNEY -- A District Court judge has granted a permanent stay of proceedings against Aboriginal activist Arthur Murray, who faced charges of assaulting police in the 1987 “Brewarrina riot”, which occurred when police attacked Aboriginal mourners. Two years ago, charges of “riotous assembly” were dismissed by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. The latest ruling, by Judge Shadbolt on May 16, said that police “identification” of Murray as having attacked a policeman was unreliable and prejudicial.

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