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		<title>Wollombi Valley Against Gas Extraction News</title>
		<description>News from WAGE</description>
		<link>http://wage.org.au/news/</link>
		<copyright>Wollombi Valley Against Gas Extraction</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:25 +1100</lastBuildDate>
		<language>en</language>
		
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			<title>Hunter gas plans to go public</title>
			<description><![CDATA[GAS explorer AGL&#39;s Hunter Gas Project will be be under public scrutiny today when the company reveals is latest exploration plans.
AGL proposes two-dimensional seismic exploration in sections of two large licence areas extending from Raymond Terrace and Lake Macquarie to Merriwa in the Upper Hunter.

The chosen sites are concentrated between Cessnock, Broke and Singleton and around Scone.

AGL said seismic exploration used sound waves to create a map of the structures beneath the earth&#39;s surface. Geologists and geophysicists interpret the data for possible gas reserves and develop a plan for exploration drilling.

AGL said it was"non-intrusive" and planned to start in autumn.

The public information session will begin at midday and will be held at AGL offices in John Street, Singleton.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xqjCa6</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7685</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Frances Thompson (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Coal hard facts</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Lee Rhiannon has no doubt the side effects of coal mining are floating downstream to Maitland farmers.
But the Greens Senator from NSW is calling for a study to measure how coal mining impacts on the Hunter River.

And she wants it done before any new coal mines are approved for the region.

Senator Rhiannon embarked on a two-day tour of the mid-Hunter on Thursday to meet with landholders affected by coal mining around Singleton, Camberwell, Bulga and Jerrys Plains. She said when it came to coal mining and the Hunter River, the issues were not confined to one area.

"One thing we&#39;ve been asked about, and what we&#39;ll be calling for, is a regional water study for the current mines," she said.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/y6BIyS</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7625</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Briony Snedden (Maitland Mercury)]]></author>
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			<title>(Video) Coal Seam Gas Concerns</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The state government remains open to AGL exploring for gas in the Hunter Valley, despite desperate calls from farmers.

AGL&#39;s current exploration licence expires tomorrow, and agriculturalists want MPs to come good, on a pre-election promise.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/xlPjJu</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:17 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7608</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[NBN News]]></author>
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			<title>Gas&#39;s seep recognised</title>
			<description><![CDATA[ENERGY Minister Chris Hartcher has acknowledged coal seam gas exploration is a potentially divisive issue for some Hunter communities.
&#39;&#39;The NSW government recognises the concerns of some communities affected by coal seam gas exploration and would encourage concerned parties to work together,&#39;&#39; he said yesterday. Mr Hartcher&#39;s comments follow a report in Saturday&#39;s Newcastle Herald highlighting the rifts that are appearing in Hunter communities affected by the coal seam gas industry.

Some individuals have reported malicious property damage after signing gas exploration agreements. Many are looking to the government&#39;s forthcoming strategic Hunter land use policy to clarify which areas will be open to future gas and mining activity.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wP2Xw4</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7571</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Matthew Kelly (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Tinkler tailors French ties</title>
			<description><![CDATA[This Hunter Valley winemaker is proving that exploration can bring big discoveries.

The death of David Clarke in April was a great loss to the Hunter Valley wine industry, where his Poole&#39;s Rock Winery was a leader. The winery was sold to the Agnew family, owners of Hunter vineyard Audrey Wilkinson, while its original vineyard, in the Hunter&#39;s Broke-Fordwich sub-region, was sold to AGL. The gas company is controversially exploring for coal seam gas in the area.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/y0w8dw</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7573</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Huon Hooke (SMH)]]></author>
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			<title>Winemakers put heat on O&#39;Farrell</title>
			<description><![CDATA[HUNTER wine industry leaders say they hold Premier Barry O&#39;Farrell accountable for a "promise" they said he made before the 2011 election to protect vineyards by removing them from coal seam gas exploration areas.
Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association president Andrew Margan said the verbal assurance was made during a formal meeting with Mr O&#39;Farrell, Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, present Planning Minister Brad Hazzard and Environment Minister Robyn Parker in November 2010.

"A number of promises were made at the meeting; money to fix Broke and McDonald roads [in the vineyards] . . . and to excise coal seam gas out of declared areas of viticulture in the Lower Hunter," Mr Margan said.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/ysfV0o</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7565</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Frances Thompson (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Attend the AGL meeting</title>
			<description><![CDATA[AGL will hold public meetings to outline its plans for seismic studies and exploration in the Hunter Valley.
Given Singleton is within this area of exploration, any resident who is concerned about the impacts should attend these meetings and keep informed.

Much is being said and written about coal seam gas exploration.

The process is complicated and controversial. Reports of the impacts and experiences from other areas in Australia and throughout the world are adding to the debate.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/wgh5w4</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:21 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7519</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Di Sneddon (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Meetings will reveal all on gas</title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE gas company, AGL, will hold a series of information sessions in coming months to provide the public with information about its proposed two dimensional (2D) seismic exploration in the Hunter region.
The information sessions, which begin on Tuesday January 24, at AGL&#39;s Singleton Information Centre in John Street, starting from noon, will be attended by AGL staff who will explain what the 2D process involves and answer questions about 2D seismic activities, and in particular what AGL was proposing.

As part of the company&#39;s Hunter gas project, investigating coal seam gas production, AGL will be seeking government approval to conduct 2D seismic exploration.

The timing and location of the 2D seismic exploration would be partly determined from public feedback said AGL&#39;s media manger, Karen Winsbury.]]></description>
			<link>http://bit.ly/yOInP3</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:54 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7517</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Louise Nichols (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Mine cops fine for creek pollution</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Environment Protection Authority says the polluting of a Cessnock creek could have been avoided by a Hunter Valley coal mine.

The Austar mine has been fined more than $115,000 after wastewater from an onsite septic system seeped into Bellbird Creek in July last year.

The EPA says the incident could have been prevented if Austar had an appropriate system in place to inspect, monitor and maintain the 90 year old septic system.

EPA Regional Manager Graham Clarke says it was not a minor incident.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-14/mine-fine-for-polluting-creek/3729942/?site=newcastle&amp;section=news</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:45 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7136</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>Austar coalmine fined</title>
			<description><![CDATA[THE Chinese-backed Austar underground coalmine near Cessnock has been fined more than $115,000 for a septic tank spill into nearby Bellbird Creek in July last year.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority took Austar to the Land and Environment Court, where the company pleaded guilty.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/austar-coalmine-fined/2391624.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7134</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Ian Kirkwood (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Residents in AGL blockade told to move or be removed</title>
			<description><![CDATA[RESIDENTS blockading a road near Gloucester in opposition to AGL&#39;s coal seam gas operations should move immediately or be removed by police, Gloucester Shire mayor Geoff Slack said yesterday.
The blockade by the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance was established last Monday on a public road at Forbesdale.

The road was the access to AGL&#39;s pilot well-drilling site.

Cr Slack, a solicitor, said the protesters were breaking the law and he had asked the police late last week to remove them.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/residents-in-agl-blockade-told-to-move-or-be-removed/2388580.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7053</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Frances Thomson (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>AGL expelled from Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association has moved to expel gas giant AGL from its ranks because of its plans for coal seam gas exploration.

Association President Andrew Margan says AGL was accepted as a member in 2010 on the understanding it wanted to work towards the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry.

But Mr Margan says that is clearly not the case and coal seam gas mining does not belong in an iconic wine growing region like the Hunter.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-10/agl-expelled-from-hunter-valley-wine-industry-association/3723848/?site=newcastle</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:50 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7062</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>Vignerons boot AGL</title>
			<description><![CDATA[GAS company AGL says it is disappointed the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association has moved to expel it as a member over its coal seam gas exploration in Pokolbin and Broke.
The company, which bought the Spring Mountain vineyard from former premier Nick Greiner, said yesterday it had been &#39;&#39;strongly supportive of the wine industry&#39;&#39; and had joined the association &#39;&#39;to demonstrate that our industry can coexist with viticulture, agriculture and other land uses&#39;&#39;.

But top Hunter vignerons said they had had enough of the company&#39;s activities and voted recently to kick it out of the association, about a year after it joined.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/vignerons-boot-agl/2388042.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/7061</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Michelle Harris (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>Blast dust plume shadows Bulga</title>
			<description><![CDATA[STATE government officials watched an open-cut coalmine explosive blast that sent black smoke and an orange plume about 200 metres into the air near Bulga.
The incident, last Friday, alarmed many residents.

Bulga resident Graeme O&#39;Brien said he was concerned about pollutants that were in the fallout and the fact that the explosion was detonated even though company and government officials believed it was likely to send up an orange cloud.

Representatives of the pit, Bulga Coal, and New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure officials told The Argus yesterday the blast was safe and that the pollution fell back onto the minesite.

Mr O&#39;Brien said: "I can sum that up in one word, &#39;rubbish&#39;.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/blast-dust-plume-shadows-bulga/2382852.aspx?storypage=0</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:49 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6979</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Bullying the blind?</title>
			<description><![CDATA[Last Tuesday I and a bunch of other people from all walks of life and areas stood in hot sun outside Singleton Court House, or retreated to the shade behind for respite.

We held up home-made signs and chanted ourselves dry while the media recorded our anger and frustration: &#39;No NuCoal!&#39; - &#39;Save our Water, Save our Land!&#39; - &#39;Enough is enough!&#39;

And at one stage, a spontaneous &#39;Where&#39;s George Souris?&#39; chant arose, George being the sitting State National Party MP. (In case you don&#39;t remember, the Nationals used to be the party who looked after rural interests.)]]></description>
			<link>http://sharynmunro.com/?p=3350</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:41 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6937</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Sharyn Munro - The Woman on the Mountain]]></author>
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			<title>State government could over rule on Wallaby Scrub council decision</title>
			<description><![CDATA[IT seems Singleton Council&#39;s ownership of Wallaby Scrub Road may not stop a $600million expansion of Warkworth open-cut coalmine.
This view is believed to be part of independent legal advice which the council has received from the Sydney firm Marsdens Law.

It is understood that the advice goes on to say that whether the council maintains its opposition to the pit or not, a state government "significant project" declaration would enable the government to take the road and allow it to be mined.

At this stage, details of the advice are not public.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/state-government-could-over-rule-on-wallaby-scrub-council-decision/2379088.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:26 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6920</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Public meeting not a hearing</title>
			<description><![CDATA[DR Neil Shepherd made the specific point yesterday that the planning assessment commission process for the Warkworth mine expansion was not a hearing.
He said it was a public meeting and that it was important for people to know that if it was a hearing and a determination was made, that the public or the coal company would have no avenue for appeal.

This statement makes this planning assessment commission process even more unclear.

Does this mean that if the commission supports the Department of Planning&#39;s recommendation for approval then the public can appeal the mine&#39;s approval?]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/blogs/voice-of-the-argus/public-meeting-not-a-hearing/2355009.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:46 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6605</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Di Snedden (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Land use focus of workshop</title>
			<description><![CDATA[LOCAL residents will have an opportunity to direct future land use at a workshop in Singleton next week.
The workshop is part of the Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue process instigated by NSW Minerals Council.

Resources and Energy Division of Department of Planning and Infrastructure will outline the 1999 synoptic plan on land use and explain lessons learned and possible avenues for development of a new plan.

The forum will discuss how a new plan should be developed.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/land-use-focus-of-workshop/2354996.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:32 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6608</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Singleton Argus]]></author>
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			<title>Dust levels peak again</title>
			<description><![CDATA[DUST thrown up by strong westerly winds is believed to have caused the air around Maison Dieu to fail national health standards at 7am on Wednesday.
The state environment department&#39;s air pollution monitor detects significant levels of fine suspended particles, known as PM10s, which damage people&#39;s respiratory tracts.

Wednesday morning&#39;s reading was based on a 24-hour rolling average of dust particles rather than pollution peaks throughout the day.

Hourly pollution readings show Maison Dieu&#39;s air quality was in the "poor", "very poor" and "hazardous" range for four hours from 7pm on Tuesday.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/dust-levels-peak-again/2354985.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:27 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6607</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Singleton Argus]]></author>
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			<title>Hearing begins</title>
			<description><![CDATA[ENOUGH is enough.
These three words sum up what was clearly, and repeatedly, expressed about open-cut coalmining in the opening session of a state government planning and assessment commission meeting in Singleton yesterday.

Three commissioners began hearing two days of submissions into a proposed $600million Warkworth open-cut expansion.

An audience of about 150 people heard that the project was a potentially toxic business which a broad cross-section of shire residents opposed.

During the morning tea-break 50 placate waving protesters drove home their opinion to media assembled outside the meeting by chanting slogans such as "Don&#39;t bugger Bulga" and "Rack off Rio".]]></description>
			<link>http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/hearing-begins/2354968.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:17 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6606</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Paul Maguire (Singleton Argus)]]></author>
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			<title>Farmer takes mining company to court</title>
			<description><![CDATA[An Upper Hunter farmer has lodged an appeal in the Land and Environment Court to block a mining company from drilling on his property. 

Australian company NuCoal Resources have approval to begin exploratory drilling on Ian Moore&#39;s property in preparation for its Doyles Creek mine, which will potentially access 500 million tonnes of coal. 

But Mr Moore says the mine will disturb the water table, threatening the agricultural viability of his Jerrys Plains property.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-10/farmer-takes-mining-company-to-court/3656696/?site=newcastle</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:24 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6567</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>AGL fails to allay fears on coal seam gas exploration</title>
			<description><![CDATA[AGL has defended its coal seam gas exploration work near Gloucester in response to criticism from residents that the industry will ruin the pristine landscape.
The company will start drilling four pilot wells on private property in the Forbesdale area next month. They are part of 110 wells that the company has permission to drill in the area as part of its current exploration licence.

Resident Robin Besier said some locals were less than impressed with information sessions about the new wells held on Monday.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/agl-fails-to-allay-fears-on-coal-seam-gas-exploration/2353035.aspx</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6546</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Matthew Kelly (The Herald)]]></author>
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			<title>To What End!</title>
			<description><![CDATA[It is not often that I use my own blog to discuss events outside the book industry, but please indulge me today as this is about a very serious and pressing matter. It&#39;s one that affects all of us. It affects the water we drink and the food we eat. I&#39;m talking about COAL SEAM GAS extraction.

I am no scientist - actually biology was as good as it got, for me - but I do know one thing: in this country, the most precious commodity we have is water. We don&#39;t have much of it and what we do have we need to use wisely. So why is it that our governments are allowing this precious commodity to be potentially contaminated by the extraction of coal seam gas?]]></description>
			<link>http://exislepublishing.com.au/blog/2011/11/to-what-end/</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6618</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Benny's Blog (Exisle Publishing)]]></author>
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			<title>Winemaker threatens to leave industry over CSG</title>
			<description><![CDATA[The Hunter Valley Vineyard Association President says he will quit the region if the State Government renews AGL&#39;s licence to explore for coal seam gas in the wine growing area.

Andrew Margan says at the end of this week the Government will decide whether to renew AGL&#39;s exploration permit.

Yesterday a petition containing 11,000 signatures was presented to State Parliament, calling for the industry to be locked-out of the wine region.]]></description>
			<link>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-09/hunter-valley-winemakers-threatens-to-leave-industry-over-coal-/3653868/?site=newcastle</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:49 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6528</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[ABC Newcastle]]></author>
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			<title>Winemaker Bruce Tyrrell brings his coal gas mining concerns to big smoke</title>
			<description><![CDATA[VIGNERON Bruce Tyrrell has taken the first step in a bid to stop controversial coal seam gas mining in his backyard. 
Opposing AGL&#39;s proposed expansion into the Hunter Valley, Mr Tyrrell yesterday took a petition from 11,000 residents to parliament.

Fearing AGL&#39;s plans could harm both the hydrological environment and tourism industry, Mr Tyrrell presented Tourism Minister George Souris with the petition.

"We have no certainty of the impact of coal seam gas on our area," Mr Tyrrell said.

"If proven conclusively there would be no damage, I&#39;d be in support of it. But it could kill the industry in 50 or 60 years and I&#39;d like my family to be here in 300."]]></description>
			<link>http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/winemaker-bruce-tyrrell-brings-his-coal-gas-mining-concerns-to-big-smoke/story-e6freuzi-1226189455000</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00 +1000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://wage.org.au/news/display/6523</guid>
			<author><![CDATA[Nathan Klein (The Daily Telegraph)]]></author>
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