MELBOURNE suburbs have been blacked out by power failures caused by the
huge bushfires in Victoria's north-east.
Light rain has mixed with ash in the air to form a paste which is causing
power lines to spark and short circuit, a spokesman for power company TXU
said.
Thousands of houses across the city were affected.
"There are short circuits and pole fires - the sparks are setting the
wooden power poles alight," he said.
Suburbs affected included Melton, Greensborough and Altona, he said.
Further extreme conditions are expected for weds and thurs this
week.Weekend losses were moderated by the thick smoke keeping temp's down.
BRISBANE Lord Mayor Jim Soorley has launched a "no war" website to protest
any military action against Iraq.
"Australians need a forum where they can make their views known to the
Federal Government," he said today.
"It is time for the people of Australia to give their strongest indication
yet they do not support the inflammatory actions of the Australian government.
"Australians must act now and send a clear message to this warmongering
prime minister that they do not support the premature deployment of troops
to the Gulf or a war with Iraq without the UN."
The mayor's website provides links enabling visitors to email Prime
Minister John Howard, print out and distribute petitions and to conduct
email forums.
The site also features a section titled "Insight into George Bush's mind".
The section lists quotes and information: "From the horse's mouth (Or
whatever end of the horse you think this stuff might have come from)."
Mr Soorley said Australians had the right to know what the prime minister's
intentions were.
"If Australia goes to war and no weapons of mass destruction are found,
Howard will be guilty of crimes against humanity and will be responsible
for the taking of innocent lives," he said.
The site address is www.sites.ourbrisbane.com/nowar.
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