PRESS DIGEST-Australian General News - Dec 23

Compiled for Reuters by Media Monitors. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW (www.afr.com)

--Australia's political leaders will watch sports or relax with their families during the Christmas week. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his family will spend Christmas Day at Sydney's harbour-side Kirribilli House, and later possibly fly to Melbourne for the Boxing Day cricket Test. Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull will also be in Sydney during Christmas week at his waterfront residence, but he and his wife, Lucy, will later holiday in Tasmania. Page 2.

--The Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Australia's top yachting event, will this year see 101 boats competing, up from 82 last year. Sponsorships for most of the entries were sealed months ago despite the financial crisis, although some billionaire-owned yachts will compete without any sponsorship. Among the more prominent entries are Wot Now and Wot Yot, two boats owned by Graeme Wood, the founder of online travel service Wotif.com, and billionaire Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI. Page 2.

--Ali Noroozi, Australia's new inspector-general of taxation, has said the economic downturn might induce some taxpayers to use dubious tax saving practices. Mr Noroozi said in such cases the Australian Tax Office would act to collect Government revenue, although there was a risk of being "unduly" tough. "If taxpayers come forward and allege the Tax Office has not acted appropriately, then we will inquire into it," Mr Noroozi said. The Government expects the economic slowdown to cut revenue by almost A$40 billion over the next four years. Page 3.

--A steep decline in Australia's pig population has pushed up prices, although pig farmers say the good times have come after an "unfortunate" period that saw prices plunge to unsustainable lows. According to Australian Pork chief executive Andrew Spencer, the crisis in the industry peaked around August last year, causing many pig farmers to quit the industry. But now pig producers are experiencing a better Christmas, helped by falling grain prices and an almost A$1 a kilogram rise in the farmgate price for pig carcass. Page 4.

THE AUSTRALIAN (www.theaustralian.news.com.au)

--The Clarke inquiry into the bungled arrest of Indian-born former Gold Coast doctor Mohamed Haneef has recommended an overhaul of anti-terrorism laws. The inquiry, commissioned by the Rudd Government, has also called for a review of the powers of the intelligence services and the Australian Federal Police in relation to immigration. Chaired by former New South Wales Supreme Court judge John Clarke QC, the inquiry is expected to formally release its report this week. Page 1.

--The girlfriend of former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks has called on media to leave him alone. Aloysia Brooks said that the former practising Muslim, who spent seven years in custody, is no longer a "confessed terrorism supporter." A court-imposed control order on Mr Hicks expired last Saturday. Ms Brooks yesterday accompanied Mr Hicks as he flew to Adelaide from Sydney to spend his first Christmas in nine years at home with his family. Page 1.