The NSW Opposition is calling for an urgent investigation into claims the murder of businessman Michael McGurk may be linked to a tape with information damaging to the state government.
UPDATE
NSW Premier Nathan Rees is reeling from a new political crisis as police probing the Michael McGurk murder refuse to confirm the existence of a tape purportedly implicating Labor MPs in a bribery scandal.
Mystery surrounding the recording comes amid claims corruption watchdog ICAC has lost its bite.
NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Owens would not comment today on any aspect of the investigation into Mr McGurk's shooting murder in Cremorne, on Sydney's north shore.
Reports have raised claims McGurk possessed a tape recording of a conversation capable of bringing down the NSW government, which has been handed to police.
The tape purportedly implicates senior NSW and federal Labor MPs in bribery and corruption.
The 45-year-old father of four was gunned down in front of his young son outside his home about 6.30pm (AEST) on Thursday.
"There is a current homicide investigation which will investigate all of the circumstances of this matter,'' Mr Owens told reporters in Sydney.
O'Farrell: Scandals 'plague' Labor
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says he is struggling to get his message across because scandals involving the state Labor government dominate the media.
Premier defends ICAC amid calls for inquiry into McGurk tape
Premier Nathan Rees has defended the ability of the state's corruption watchdog, amid calls for an inquiry into claims a slain Sydney businessman had a tape revealing corrupt NSW politicians. - Rees' claims are fatuous. There is no evidence that the ICAC are doing anything worthwhile. The ALP government appears corrupt. - ed.
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Rudd's strategy driving up rates - Turnbull
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd's "high-spending and high-borrowing" policies will mean Australians pay more in interest rates, federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull says.
Afghans mourn dead from NATO bombing
Afghans are mourning the dead from a NATO bombing that killed scores of people and renewed an outcry over civilian casualties at the hands of Western troops in an eight-year war.
Defence tight-lipped on boat blast claim
Defence Minister John Faulkner and his department are remaining tight-lipped about allegations Australian military personnel stopped Afghan refugees boarding rescue boats after their own vessel burst into flames.
Young trio charged over car dragging
A young woman and two men have been charged with assault after another man was dragged by a car along a road in Sydney's southwest, suffering head and spinal injuries.
Dad saves son from burning caravan
A QUICK-thinking dad started Father's Day by escaping a caravan fire with his young son.
Belinda Neal spinning Della Bosca
POLITICIAN Belinda Neal says she's "fine", despite revelations of her MP husband's affair.
Revealed: The reason Tuquiri was sacked
THE mystery of Wallaby Lote Tuquiri's sacking is over: a hotel room liaison broke team rules.
School mums collect kids, drive drunk
MORE older women are being caught drink-driving - many of them while on school runs.
Gangland killer splits with secret love
THERE were love letters and a ring - now killer Carl Williams and a secret love have called it quits.
Cashed-up Kiwis get home grants
FOREIGNERS are using the First Home Owners Boost to buy holiday homes in Australia.
Seven stars Jennifer Hawkins, Jamie Durie face pay cut
JENNIFER Hawkins could be the first casualty of the Seven Network's move to slash the salaries of some of its key on-air staff.
=== Comments ===
Labor’s flawed federal model
Piers Akerman
THE Rudd Government will have to do more than bar a few dud NSW MPs from entering the federal sphere if it wants to convince voters that NSW Labor’s problems don’t have a bearing on the federal Labor Government. - The electoral office no longer appears to be an independent body to the ALP. In Fairfield, the mayor (and state member) Lalich has had posters placed inappropriately on public property for the last few elections. The local newspapers have mentioned this in letter to the editor columns, but the signs have remained until well after the elections. In contrast, private businesses which allowed signs asking for more car parking space have had them removed by local council.
It isn’t mentioned in election campaigns, but a vote for ALP is a vote for corruption. If someone votes for the ALP, are they also complicit in their crimes? - ed
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VAN UNDER A BUS
Tim Blair
Barack Obama’s green jobs czar Van Jones has resigned.
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NOT NOT HEARD
Tim Blair
The New York Times:
Mark Steyn, a Canadian author and political commentator, speaking on the Rush Limbaugh show on Wednesday, accused Mr. Obama of trying to create a cult of personality, comparing him to Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader.
Dawn Turner Trice – who wonders “to what degree is the rancor about race?” – in the Chicago Tribune:
Speaking on radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh’s show on Wednesday, Canadian author Mark Steyn said that President Obama was trying to create a cult of personality, comparing him to Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong-il, the North Korean leader.
Cindy Adams (who has “studied psychology and journalism at the University of California") in the Examiner:
Wednesday on conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh’s radio show, Mark Steyn, a political commentator from Canada, compared the President to Kim Jong-il and Saddam Hussein, accusing him of trying to create a cult of personality.?
And here’s what Steyn actually said:
Obviously we’re not talking about the cult of personality on the Saddam Hussein/Kim Jong Il scale.
Listen to Steyn here. Meanwhile, in other it-never-happened developments …
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ANTI-RALLY RALLY
Tim Blair
Stupid hippies long feared the arrival of international rally cars in Australian forests, possibly imagining the demonic machines would cause dangerous levels of wind-chime activity or something. Well, the cars are here, and the hippies ain’t happy:
Organisers were forced to abandon two stages yesterday, after boulders were positioned on the track and rocks hurled at cars.
Where were the human shields? Scott Sledge, spokesman of the No Rally Group – I bet this is the only rally he’s ever opposed – denies any untoward antics:
“We have found no evidence whatsovever that rocks were thrown and we certainly would not condone any such activity because it’s dangerous.
“We were the peaceful ones, we were the ones that we saying drive slowly, drive carefully, think of the children.”
Won’t someone? I mean, please? It’s good advice, though. Children should really be protected from scenes like these:
Care Bears are so passé. Meet the emo-cool Who Cares Bear.
A dingo stole my apostrophe! Australia’s education revolution continues.
Auto parts retailer and event sponsor Repco sure will lose a lot of business from this lot. 1968 VW Kombis don’t even need radiator hoses.
A helpful protest side-effect: it attracted cops on dirt bikes, just to blow that carbon footprint out a little further. Helicopters, too.
“Beware the wrath of Mother Nature.” Why? Does the crazy old bitch throw rocks at people?
The guy at right seems happy enough about the death of democracy. Most hippies would be, come to think of it, if some commie Jesus led the revolution.
Finally, a decent compassionate head-tilt. No worries about blood on the roads when locals are evidently prepared to mop it up with a full-body ShamWow.
That’s their home? No wonder they’re endangered. Get away from the traffic, little ones! Back to the trees with you.
At right, the “tiny penis” gesture made famous in this road safety ad. Too bad the protester is aiming it at a car co-driven by female Coral Taylor.
Wouldn’t it be terrible if you were a sensible, non-hippie old person and arthritis froze your hand in a peace sign? You’d immediately go on a shoplifting spree in southern Iran, just to be rid of the thing.
UPDATE. A local business sees opportunity and privilege:
The Kyogle community is being uplifted by the influx of visitors associated with the world rally championships …
The Kyogle Bakery is open 24 hours a day and turned over a record day on Friday. “We are doing 600 breakfasts on Sunday morning and tonight (Friday) we are making the most bread that this bakery has produced this year,” said Max, the owner of Kyogle Bakery.
“It’s been a rough day for the rally event. It is our role to make these people feel welcome. We have been handed a golden plate of privilege and we are determined to provide a warm welcome to rally visitors.”
Well said, Max.
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JAYSON LOSES
Tim Blair
Saturday’s column: life coaches compared.
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SUB-EDITING CHALLENGE
Tim Blair
The Albany Times Union needs a headline. Help them out.
UPDATE. It must be International No Headline Day. Please, do assist.
UPDATE II. “three line hed please”. Another request from Albany.
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