Danes `innocent'
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday November 10, 2001
Kerry and Kay Danes arrived home yesterday declaring their innocence but promising to pay the $1 million in fines and compensation which secured their release from jail in Laos.
The Danes also pledged the truth would one day be revealed behind their 10-month imprisonment. The couple, accused of stealing sapphires from a gem mine in Laos, were pardoned early this week on the undertaking they paid $1 million.
Mr Danes said he and his wife were caught in a complex web involving commercial interests in Laos and Thailand and unscrupulous Laotian government officials.
Fall in home loans
The latest fall in home loan approvals is not expected to prompt a housing downturn, because low interest rates and the first home owners grant are supporting demand.
The number of home loan approvals fell one per cent in September, after a 2.5 per cent fall in August, figures show.
But builders and the housing industry remain confident that a housing recovery is on track.
They blame a short interruption after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US and interest rate lags.
Crowe at AFI Awards
Gladiator star Russell Crowe will return to the awards arena as a presenter in the Australian Film Industry Awards, to be held in Melbourne next Friday.
Crowe, who won last year's Oscar as best actor for his role in the Roman epic, will present one of the major awards.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury