Interesting Australia news

In lieu of a real entry, here's some of the news in Australia with links to articles.

Recently there's been a severe drought in Australia, forcing Victoria to consider recycling water (i.e. sewage treatment). Currently recycled water is used only for agriculture and gardening, and although it's chemically cleaner than other public water, there's always the psychological factor that makes it undesirable. Wool production expected to fall 20-25% as result of the drought. The government has provided interim financial drought assistance to pastoralists in central Australia.

David Hicks is periodically in the news, and not because he won American Idol (that was Taylor...I've been told). He's been an Australian Guantanamo detainee since 2004, much to the ire of Australian citizens who have grown increasingly hostile toward Australia's support of the Iraq war. His trial may have been expedited due to Australian PM John Howard's pressure. The most recent news, however, is that David Hicks has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge of material support. I imagine this will be on the front news in all Australian newspapers.

Meanwhile John Howard has grown increasingly unpopular in the polls. While he is from the "Liberal Party," his politics are quite conservative, though he has been a staunch supporter for US President Bush. It is much more common to hear Australians publicly complaining about their politicians than it is in the US.

And, naturally the most important Australian news, I will be going to the Great Barrier Reef next week. Need to plan for it, though! Later gators.