democracy4sale

[Squawk]

So why is Federal Labor as concerned about NSW Labor as they apparently are?

Re the tape, are you suggesting that News Ltd are giving it far too much mileage and that their apparent leanings to the Right mean it is all being overcooked?

I agree that most people can distinguish between state and federal issues. My point was that nonetheless, NSW is over the current regime and with the federal election coming first, there may be an element of voters who want to send Canberra a message.

[Psyber]

This should be a new thread really, Psyber.

I thought about that, but I also thought the topic sort of fitted under the "democracy4sale" title...

[Jimmy_041]

Why are we resisting an ICAC in SA?

Should we as the public require one to keep both sides honest?

[Squawk]

Why are we resisting an ICAC in SA?

"We" are not.
The Premier is.

[Gozu]

So why is Federal Labor as concerned about NSW Labor as they apparently are?

Re the tape, are you suggesting that News Ltd are giving it far too much mileage and that their apparent leanings to the Right mean it is all being overcooked?

I agree that most people can distinguish between state and federal issues. My point was that nonetheless, NSW is over the current regime and with the federal election coming first, there may be an element of voters who want to send Canberra a message.

They're always concerned about NSW Labor because time and time again they damage their "brand". Also the kingmakers of the Labor party come through the NSW system. Turnbull's running with it and good on him because NSW Labor and their antics have been on the nose for awhile and that mess should be cleaned up.

Yes, News Ltd have form when it comes to trying to beat anything up to attack Labor. They were left with egg all over their faces after Utegate among other things. It's like The Australian has been telling us for months how the stimulus package was a crock, never worked etc. until the figures came out last week and blew their rubbish out of the water. News Ltd have zero credibility and they prove that time and time again so forgive me for being just a little cynical.

NSW is always supposedly over the current regime and then they get the wobbles come voting time. Deservedly so given how appalling the NSW Libs are too.

[Gozu]

I see the references in the last few days to the businessman killed in Sydney, and his having had a file on corrupt NSW politicians, have disappeared from the media web sites now...
I'd been not commenting, waiting for developments, but its sudden disappearance makes me wonder if there was truth in it.

However, while looking for traces I did find this:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/now-i ... -fc57.html

EDIT: I see it has now re-emerged in an update:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/592 ... d-reports/

Sydney Morning Herald journalist Vanda Carson said he was also involved in providing prostitutes to high-profile people.
"We understand he had a sports marketing business and he used that as a front to arrange prostitutes for high-profile men including sports players," she told the Nine Network.
Carson said a tape recording believed to contain a conversation capable of bringing down the NSW government had been handed to police.
"Mr McGurk told us about a tape that sounded absolutely sensational that had mentioned corruption at the highest levels of the NSW government," she said.
"We understand the tape was given to the police last night."

*cough*

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politic ... 5798386570

[Psyber]

I see the references in the last few days to the businessman killed in Sydney, and his having had a file on corrupt NSW politicians, have disappeared from the media web sites now...
I'd been not commenting, waiting for developments, but its sudden disappearance makes me wonder if there was truth in it.

However, while looking for traces I did find this:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/now-i ... -fc57.html

EDIT: I see it has now re-emerged in an update:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/592 ... d-reports/

Sydney Morning Herald journalist Vanda Carson said he was also involved in providing prostitutes to high-profile people.
"We understand he had a sports marketing business and he used that as a front to arrange prostitutes for high-profile men including sports players," she told the Nine Network.
Carson said a tape recording believed to contain a conversation capable of bringing down the NSW government had been handed to police.
"Mr McGurk told us about a tape that sounded absolutely sensational that had mentioned corruption at the highest levels of the NSW government," she said.
"We understand the tape was given to the police last night."

*cough*
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politic ... 5798386570

That gets us into the "innocent" or "whitewashed" debate.
I'd feel better if they'd been cleared by an ICAC committee, rather than members of the same club...

A NSW parliamentary committee has exonerated senior political figures and planning officials of any wrongdoing over land deals connected with slain Sydney standover man Michael McGurk.

[Gozu]

Um, I guess "Imre Salusinszky" and "The Australian" doesn't count for much with the conspiracy theorists.

[Jimmy_041]

Un-democratic would be used as the average Union member would not be aware of this practice.

I was a member of the Australian Workers Union. IIRC, you can ask that no part of your subs be used for donations to political parties. It was a long time ago though and I have no idea how you could police it