Australian report: Y2k "Nightmare" plans

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http://www.newsmax.com/showinsidecover.shtml?a=1999/12/14/233405

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With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

For the story behind the story...

Wednesday December 15, 12:32 AM

Australian Report: Y2K "Nightmare" Plans

When we first saw the news report from an Australian paper -- we had difficulty believing it. NewsMax.com's Inside Cover receives truck loads of emails from viewers. Some check out. Some don't.

But we were titillated by the email of one NewsMax.com reader who forwarded us a story that appeared in the Melbourne Herald Sun -- one of Australia's major dailies and the flagship paper for Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. media empire.

The headline was innocuous: "Law Ready for Y2K."

The lead followed: "Food may be rationed and inspectors will have the power to seize private property if disaster strikes on New Year's Eve."

The article continued: "People who refuse to hand over vehicles or any property needed for relief efforts face big fines and jail if they obstruct government-appointed inspectors.

"The emergency laws have been introduced into State Parliament and will be passed before the new millenium.

"Transport Minister Peter Batchelor told parliament the laws may seem draconian but would not be needed if adequate contingency planning was in place for Y2K disasters."

This revealing story received such little press attention, Inside Cover thought it may have been fabricated. We contacted the Herald Sun and confirmed the story.

Perhaps we should not be so surprised. Most Y2K stories that acknowledge concerns or problems about the "Millenium Bug" get little press ink. Stories that give a positive Y2K spin get major media coverage.

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), December 15, 1999

Answers

From each acording to his ability

To each according to his need.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), December 15, 1999.


Said article also discussed here:

More Information on the Australian Rationing/Confiscation Law

-- holding (hope@health.org), December 15, 1999.


"Food may be rationed and inspectors will have the power to seize private property if disaster strikes on New Year's Eve."

"People who refuse to hand over vehicles or any property needed for relief efforts face big fines and jail if they obstruct government-appointed inspectors.

-- $#!+ ($#!+ @ $#!+ . $#!+), December 16, 1999.


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