Headlines Saturday 20th September

Deportation order revoked after donation
Former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone reportedly overturned a deportation order against a suspected Melbourne mafia identity after a large donation to the Liberal Party.

The order was revoked 14 months after a large donation was made to the Liberal Party by the man's brother, an alleged Calabrian crime figure, Fairfax newspapers say.

Four Liberal MPs in two states lobbied or contacted Ms Vanstone about Francesco Madafferi's case, Fairfax says.

Madafferi's brother, Antonio, donated $15,000 to the Liberal Party in September 2004 and a further $7,500 in June 2006.

Ms Vanstone granted the visa in November 2005.

However, Fairfax says there is no evidence to show that the donations influenced any decision-making by Ms Vanstone or encouraged any of the politicians to contact her about the case. - this calls into question the appropriateness of ALP in government. The ALP have been known to corruptly misuse visa process. - ed.
===
Rudd a phoney: Turnbull
The Prime Minister has been described as a 'phoney' by the new Opposition leader.

Malcolm Turnbull hasn't just stuck to the Federal arena in his attack on Labor telling the Telegraph, new Premier Nathan Rees makes Morris Iemma looks good.

He says the NSW Government has reached a new low of incompetence.
Mr Turnbull also denied Labor's claim that he's an arrogant Sydney silvertail who can't relate to average voters.

"I have seen both ends of the economic spectrum," he said.

In an interview with the paper, Mr Turnbull promised "leadership, energy, action" as he tries to topple the Rudd government.

"We are determined to make this a one-term government," he said. -It is hard to know when some highly paid spinner is going to take some direction which supports Rudd, but he really has done a terrible job and I applaud Turnbull for pointing it out. - ed.
===
US President announces financial sector rescue package
United States President George W Bush has announced plans for a financial sector rescue package. - one notes the package has largely been upposed by Democrats. - ed.