| JUNE 2008 Pages - Page 9 |
| THIS IS PAGE 9 OF JUNE 2008 PAGES - JUNE0809 |
AN 'INDEPENDENT' SPEAKER
When Richard Torbay MP (Northern Tablelands) accepted the offer of nomination as Speaker in March 2007,
on condition he be appointed chair of a taskforce to advise the Iemma government on rural issues we warned
that being an adviser to the government was incompatible with the role of Speaker. We further warned that it was
incompatible with the Speaker's role, that the Speaker engage in "politics".
As it transpired, Mr Torbay stood aside as chair, and Mr Col Gellatly, a retired public servant took the role of chair
of the Regional & Rural Taskforce, that Premier Iemma established to advise him on rural affairs. Mr Torbay, a former member of the ALP, and
who had a close association with the government, was appointed a member, as was Steve Whan MP (Monaro), a parliamentary secretary to the
Iemma government. The three member taskforce then set about their task and delivered a report at a time which would enable at least some of
their recommendations to be implemented in the 2008 Costa budget. None, not even one, of the taskforce's recommendations were adopted in
the 2008 budget.
Now Mr Gellatly, being schooled in the mould of a public servant, would one expect keep the principles of the public service dear to his heart -
that is to give frank and fearless advice but not engage in the political process.
Mr Torbay, although a former ALP member and close to the government, has always expressed a repugnance of the party convention of
solidarity - that is a decision is made by a democratic vote of members, after which all members, irrespective of their personal views, are
required to support the views of the majority.
Mr Whan, on the other hand, although reported to be ambitious for promotion, accepts by his membership of the Labor Party the convention of
party solidarity. He has not spoken out against electricity privatisation.
Illawarra region MP's deny they have complained about the government linking the R&RT recommendations to electricity privatisation.
THE Sun-Herald reports the Speaker (Mr Torbay) as saying :
"The taskforce was designed to deliver good policy to the people of rural and regional NSW and the fact that was not considered in the
budget is a major disappointment . Most people in rural and regional NSW do not support the privatisation. They do not like it."
In our view such a statement is incompatible with the role of an independent and impartial Speaker.
IT may well be that Mr Torbay is quite capable of leaving his political differences with the government about the implementation of the taskforce
recommendations and the privatisation of electricity at the doorstep of parliament's chamber, and act impartially in the chair. However, the role of
the Speaker is not only to be impartial - but to be perceived as being impartial, not only by members of parliament but also by the community. BY
entering into political debate Mr Torbay is placing at risk the perception of impartiality. In doing so, he is also placing at risk, the very standing of
the office of Speaker as well. If you likened the role of Speaker, to that of a judicial officer - with the requirement of being impartial and acting
fairly, the wisdom of his political contribution is questionable. Certainly, a judicial officer, who made comments, of the nature that Mr Torbay has,
would most likely disqualify her/himself from further involvement.
As we said back in March/Aril 2008 - the role of Speaker is incompatible with an engagement in "politics". We said then, and we say again now, -
Mr Torbay can be Speaker or he can engage in "politics" - but he can't do both.
Lisa Carty of the Sun-Herald says, without naming sources, that there are claims of political blackmail and double-crossing , that rural MP's are
"affronted by what some believe is the Government's attempt to link the privatisation to spending in country NSW ",and they "believe Premier
Morris Iemma committed a major breach of faith when the state budget failed to contain a response to the recommendations of the Rural and
Regional Taskforce " and that an unnamed insider said, in relation to the government statement that announcements will be made about
infrastructure investment in rural areas in the context of the utilisation of electricity sale proceeds : "This was never tied to privatisation and to
link the two now smacks of blackmail. "
At the present time, many of the institutions of democracy in NSW are under scrutiny - the police, donations,etc. NSW cannot afford to have the
office of Speaker under scrutiny as well.
SOURCES :
Lisa Carty , Fury at plan to link rural services to privatisation , Sun-Herald , 8 June 2008, p. 27.
ABC News, Infrastructure plan may include rural task force recommendations , ABC Radio, 5 June 2008.
Simon Chamberlain, Criticism over region 'held to ransom' , Northern Daily Leader , 4 June 2008.
Torbay’s wish list for State Budget , Armidale Express, 2 June 2008.
Brett Cox ,Illawarra MPs slam funding claims , Illawarra Mercury, 9 June 2008.
Motives are in doubt , Lithgow Mercury, 10 June 2008.
Len Ashworth, Government's energy blackmail , Lithgow Mercury , 10 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
When Richard Torbay MP (Northern Tablelands) accepted the offer of nomination as Speaker in March 2007,
on condition he be appointed chair of a taskforce to advise the Iemma government on rural issues we warned
that being an adviser to the government was incompatible with the role of Speaker. We further warned that it was
incompatible with the Speaker's role, that the Speaker engage in "politics".
As it transpired, Mr Torbay stood aside as chair, and Mr Col Gellatly, a retired public servant took the role of chair
of the Regional & Rural Taskforce, that Premier Iemma established to advise him on rural affairs. Mr Torbay, a former member of the ALP, and
who had a close association with the government, was appointed a member, as was Steve Whan MP (Monaro), a parliamentary secretary to the
Iemma government. The three member taskforce then set about their task and delivered a report at a time which would enable at least some of
their recommendations to be implemented in the 2008 Costa budget. None, not even one, of the taskforce's recommendations were adopted in
the 2008 budget.
Now Mr Gellatly, being schooled in the mould of a public servant, would one expect keep the principles of the public service dear to his heart -
that is to give frank and fearless advice but not engage in the political process.
Mr Torbay, although a former ALP member and close to the government, has always expressed a repugnance of the party convention of
solidarity - that is a decision is made by a democratic vote of members, after which all members, irrespective of their personal views, are
required to support the views of the majority.
Mr Whan, on the other hand, although reported to be ambitious for promotion, accepts by his membership of the Labor Party the convention of
party solidarity. He has not spoken out against electricity privatisation.
Illawarra region MP's deny they have complained about the government linking the R&RT recommendations to electricity privatisation.
THE Sun-Herald reports the Speaker (Mr Torbay) as saying :
"The taskforce was designed to deliver good policy to the people of rural and regional NSW and the fact that was not considered in the
budget is a major disappointment . Most people in rural and regional NSW do not support the privatisation. They do not like it."
In our view such a statement is incompatible with the role of an independent and impartial Speaker.
IT may well be that Mr Torbay is quite capable of leaving his political differences with the government about the implementation of the taskforce
recommendations and the privatisation of electricity at the doorstep of parliament's chamber, and act impartially in the chair. However, the role of
the Speaker is not only to be impartial - but to be perceived as being impartial, not only by members of parliament but also by the community. BY
entering into political debate Mr Torbay is placing at risk the perception of impartiality. In doing so, he is also placing at risk, the very standing of
the office of Speaker as well. If you likened the role of Speaker, to that of a judicial officer - with the requirement of being impartial and acting
fairly, the wisdom of his political contribution is questionable. Certainly, a judicial officer, who made comments, of the nature that Mr Torbay has,
would most likely disqualify her/himself from further involvement.
As we said back in March/Aril 2008 - the role of Speaker is incompatible with an engagement in "politics". We said then, and we say again now, -
Mr Torbay can be Speaker or he can engage in "politics" - but he can't do both.
Lisa Carty of the Sun-Herald says, without naming sources, that there are claims of political blackmail and double-crossing , that rural MP's are
"affronted by what some believe is the Government's attempt to link the privatisation to spending in country NSW ",and they "believe Premier
Morris Iemma committed a major breach of faith when the state budget failed to contain a response to the recommendations of the Rural and
Regional Taskforce " and that an unnamed insider said, in relation to the government statement that announcements will be made about
infrastructure investment in rural areas in the context of the utilisation of electricity sale proceeds : "This was never tied to privatisation and to
link the two now smacks of blackmail. "
At the present time, many of the institutions of democracy in NSW are under scrutiny - the police, donations,etc. NSW cannot afford to have the
office of Speaker under scrutiny as well.
SOURCES :
Lisa Carty , Fury at plan to link rural services to privatisation , Sun-Herald , 8 June 2008, p. 27.
ABC News, Infrastructure plan may include rural task force recommendations , ABC Radio, 5 June 2008.
Simon Chamberlain, Criticism over region 'held to ransom' , Northern Daily Leader , 4 June 2008.
Torbay’s wish list for State Budget , Armidale Express, 2 June 2008.
Brett Cox ,Illawarra MPs slam funding claims , Illawarra Mercury, 9 June 2008.
Motives are in doubt , Lithgow Mercury, 10 June 2008.
Len Ashworth, Government's energy blackmail , Lithgow Mercury , 10 June 2008.
=================================================================================================================
NURSES WAGES
We wrote earlier about NSW nurses receiving only 15% penalty for night shift (compared to WA which pays 50%)
and the decision by Reba Meagher to agree to a 3.9% wage rise or 12 months.
Well, our informant at a NSW healthcare establishment tells us that the activist who had brought attention to the
disparity between the NSW and WA night penalty rates has now said :
There will be a 4% pay rise and the night penalty rate will be increased to 50%.
Our informant, who has a fondness for cash, and was considering moving to WA, now tells us of a burning ambition to stay in NSW and apply for
permanent night shift , whilst admitting that permanent night work plays hell with one's body clock, destroys any social life one might have, plays
havoc with relationships with 'normal' people and makes doing business difficult (sleep al day/work ll night).
IT seems some people will do anything for money !!!
SOURCES :
LUCKY REBA - POOR JOHN, May Page 23, www.independent-nsw.com
CAN REBA MEAGHER MANAGE, June Page 6, www.independent-nsw.com
==================================================================================================================
We wrote earlier about NSW nurses receiving only 15% penalty for night shift (compared to WA which pays 50%)
and the decision by Reba Meagher to agree to a 3.9% wage rise or 12 months.
Well, our informant at a NSW healthcare establishment tells us that the activist who had brought attention to the
disparity between the NSW and WA night penalty rates has now said :
There will be a 4% pay rise and the night penalty rate will be increased to 50%.
Our informant, who has a fondness for cash, and was considering moving to WA, now tells us of a burning ambition to stay in NSW and apply for
permanent night shift , whilst admitting that permanent night work plays hell with one's body clock, destroys any social life one might have, plays
havoc with relationships with 'normal' people and makes doing business difficult (sleep al day/work ll night).
IT seems some people will do anything for money !!!
SOURCES :
LUCKY REBA - POOR JOHN, May Page 23, www.independent-nsw.com
CAN REBA MEAGHER MANAGE, June Page 6, www.independent-nsw.com
==================================================================================================================
| IS THIS THE MOST EXPENSIVE NEWSPAPER IN 2008 ? |
| Linda Simalis, DELLA'S WILD NIGHT, Sunday Telegraph, 8 June, 2008. p. 1 Linda Simalis, Calls for 'bullying' Della Bosca to go - Education Minister under attack as nightclub staff allege abusive and threatening behaviour Sunday Telegraph, 8 June, 2008. p. 4 - 5 Linda Simalis, Confrontation caught on tape, Sunday Telegraph, 8 June, 2008. p. 4 NOTE : ABC News, Nightclub owner apologises to Della Bosca , ABC Radio, 8 June 2008. Club offers apology after NSW MP flags legal action , Sydney Morning Herald, 8 June 2008. |
NSW - A STATE OUT OF CONTROL
Monday 9 June 2008.
TOP COP IN GAOL - DEVELOPER DENIES DEATH THREATS - MINISTER's JOB ON THE LINE -
FEDERAL MP EITHER TOO DRUNK OR TOO EMOTIONAL TO DRIVE AFTER A NIGHT AT THE CLUB -
QUERIES RAISED WHETHER MINISTER 'BULLIED' AN APOLOGY -
SPEEDING DRUNK DRIVER SETS BAD EXAMPLE ON LONG WEEKEND -
BLACKMAIL, INSINUATION, DEFAMATION, LEGAL THREATS, PUBLIC INSULTS, SECRETS & LIES
FEATURED IN NSW NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - MAGISTRATE BLASTS POLICE OVER BUNGLED
MURDER INVESTIGATION - SYDNEY RAIL SYSTEM IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE - NSW IMPORTING
ELECTRICITY TO MEET WORKING FAMILY NEEDS FROM INTERSTATE - HETTY JOHNSTON MOVING
TO SYDNEY BECAUSE NSW 's LEVEL OF CHILD ABUSE - NSW's GOVERNING POLITICAL PARTY IS AT
WAR WITH ITSELF BUT PREMIER PALMS IT OFF AS A MERE 'FAMILY FEUD' - PARLIAMENT's SPEAKER
ENTERS THE POLITICAL DEBATE AND ACCUSES EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT OF HOLDING MP's TO
RANSOM - A DEVELOPER & A PLANNING OFFICER FACE POSSIBLE CORRUPTION CHARGES - A COUNCILLOR
CALLS FOR SACKING OF SHELLHARBOUR COUNCIL - AND THERE's more but we have run out of space...........
*****A developer denies telling a Canada Bay councillor, just before the council was set to consider his development
application :
"I'll f---ing kill you if you do the wrong thing"
see: Jano Gibson,Developer denies threatening to kill Canada Bay councillor , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
Sydney
***** A Minister of the Crown's job is on the line following events at a central coast restaurant over the weekend. John Della Bosca MLC, Minister
for Education, says of his wife : " She is the most truthful person I know. "
Andrew Clennell and Paul Bibby , Minister's job on line: Premier seeks account , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
ABC News, Club clash: Iemma awaits Minister's account , ABC Radio, 9 June 2008.
***** The Legislative Review Committee says the planning laws rammed through parliament at 2am on morning of 4 June 2008 are "oppressive
official powers" that may "trespass on personal rights and liberties"..
Sunanda Creagh , Planning bill open to abuse: report , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
***** NSW Federal MP Belinda Neal, after attending a central coast club, was considered by her husband as either having had too much alcohol
or was too emotional to drive the motor vehicle she drove to the club in. She has failed to front the media about her involvement in the events at
the club, but issued a tersely worded media release referring to the written apology issued by the club's general manager Steven Twitchin which
stated "No one in your party was abusive, swearing or intoxicated. Media reports today have totally distorted the version of events..". In early
media reports it was alleged Ms Neal had said to another employee : "What's your f---ing name? I will have your job as well. I will have the
f---ing police down here every weekend to close you down.".
Andrew Clennell and Paul Bibby , Minister's job on line: Premier seeks account , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
Editorial, Iemma must restore order to Government , Illawarra Mercury, 9 June 2008
***** Questions have been raised whether NSW Minister John Della Bosca MLC bullied the central coast club into providing a written apology,
given several employees stand by their statutory declarations 100%. The Minister spoke at least 4 times to the club's co-owners on Saturday
night and Sunday morning.
Andrew Clennell and Paul Bibby , Minister's job on line: Premier seeks account , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
Kara Lawrence, Neil Keene & Steve Gee , Club backflips over John Della Bosca 'bully' claims , Daily Telegraph, 9 June 2008.
***** A drunk man drove his motor car at about 230kph in the Illawarra region on the long weekend, which is notorious for it's road toll.
Michelle Hoctor, Drunk driver 'drove 230km' , Illawarra Mercury, 9 June 2008.
***** NSW newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald contains an article about blackmail , insinuation , defamation, legal threats, public insults,
secrets and lies.
Paul Sheehan, Pants man sullies pants suits vote , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
***** A magistrate has blasted NSW Police over the handling of a murder investigation and has recommended the DPP examine the case to
determine if charges should be laid against 3 named persons.
Kate McClymont , Coroner blasts police , Sydney Morning Herald, 2 June 2008.
Kate McClymont , Arson case man murdered: magistrate , Sydney Morning Herald, 3 June 2008.
Paul Barry , 'Explosive' evidence on Byrnes , Sunday Telegraph, 8 June 2008.
ABC News, Suspect murdered with heroin: coroner , ABC Radio, 2 June 2008.
***** Sydney city's rail timetable is in danger of collapsing as over-crowded trains hold up departures from stations.
Linton Besser , Stuffed: CityRail's timetable woe , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2008.
***** Industrial action by power workers in protest at the Iemma sell-off of electricity assets, results in NSW buying up to 30% of it's power
requirements from inter-state .
Ian Kirkwood, Workers agree to power on , Newcastle Herald, 7 June 2008.
***** Hetty Johnston is moving to Sydney because she believes that child abuse in NSW is out of control. Minister Kevin Greene says his door is
always open to Hetty.
Heath Gilmore, Bravehearts founder to tackle Sin City head on , Sun-Herald, 8 June 2008.
***** A top cop in the elite State Crime Commission is in gaol, pending a bail hearing on 11 June 2008, after being charged with conspiracy to
import precursor to "ice", with an estimated street value of $120 million.
ABC News, Top investigator kept in custody over drug ring , ABC Radio, 3 June 2008.
Kate McClymont & Deborah Snow , The cocaine, the dealer and the green light , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2008.
***** NSW Labor, the State's governing political party, is at war with itself. The Premier brushes it off as merely a 'family feud'.
ABC News, Iemma receives stern ALP warning , ABC Radio, 6 June 2008.
Andrew Clennell & Brian Robins, Iemma told list of foes growing , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2008.
At the movies, Iemma's Dilemma - on Youtube.
***** Breaking Westminster convention, Speaker of the NSW Parliament, Richard Torbay MP, has entered the political debate and accused the
Iemma government of trying to hold MP's to ransom over the electricity debate by attempting to tie rural reforms to passage of the electricity
sell-off legislation.
Simon Chamberlain, Criticism over region 'held to ransom' , Northern Daily Leader, 4 June 2008.
Lisa Carty , Fury at plan to link rural services to privatisation , Sun-Herald , 8 June 2008, p. 27.
***** A developer and a council planing officer are facing possible corruption charges.
Jano Gibson , Gong-gate lovers may face up to 15 years in jail , Sydney Morning Herald, 29 May 2008.
ABC News, ICAC 'too slow to release Wollongong findings' , ABC Radio, 29 May 2008.
***** A Shellharbour councillor believes the Council should be sacked. If this happened it would be the 3rd major council to be sacked in 2008.
Sarah Allely, We should be sacked: Gillett , Illawarra Mercury , 3 June 2008.
Monday 9 June 2008.
TOP COP IN GAOL - DEVELOPER DENIES DEATH THREATS - MINISTER's JOB ON THE LINE -
FEDERAL MP EITHER TOO DRUNK OR TOO EMOTIONAL TO DRIVE AFTER A NIGHT AT THE CLUB -
QUERIES RAISED WHETHER MINISTER 'BULLIED' AN APOLOGY -
SPEEDING DRUNK DRIVER SETS BAD EXAMPLE ON LONG WEEKEND -
BLACKMAIL, INSINUATION, DEFAMATION, LEGAL THREATS, PUBLIC INSULTS, SECRETS & LIES
FEATURED IN NSW NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - MAGISTRATE BLASTS POLICE OVER BUNGLED
MURDER INVESTIGATION - SYDNEY RAIL SYSTEM IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE - NSW IMPORTING
ELECTRICITY TO MEET WORKING FAMILY NEEDS FROM INTERSTATE - HETTY JOHNSTON MOVING
TO SYDNEY BECAUSE NSW 's LEVEL OF CHILD ABUSE - NSW's GOVERNING POLITICAL PARTY IS AT
WAR WITH ITSELF BUT PREMIER PALMS IT OFF AS A MERE 'FAMILY FEUD' - PARLIAMENT's SPEAKER
ENTERS THE POLITICAL DEBATE AND ACCUSES EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT OF HOLDING MP's TO
RANSOM - A DEVELOPER & A PLANNING OFFICER FACE POSSIBLE CORRUPTION CHARGES - A COUNCILLOR
CALLS FOR SACKING OF SHELLHARBOUR COUNCIL - AND THERE's more but we have run out of space...........
*****A developer denies telling a Canada Bay councillor, just before the council was set to consider his development
application :
"I'll f---ing kill you if you do the wrong thing"
see: Jano Gibson,Developer denies threatening to kill Canada Bay councillor , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
Sydney
***** A Minister of the Crown's job is on the line following events at a central coast restaurant over the weekend. John Della Bosca MLC, Minister
for Education, says of his wife : " She is the most truthful person I know. "
Andrew Clennell and Paul Bibby , Minister's job on line: Premier seeks account , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
ABC News, Club clash: Iemma awaits Minister's account , ABC Radio, 9 June 2008.
***** The Legislative Review Committee says the planning laws rammed through parliament at 2am on morning of 4 June 2008 are "oppressive
official powers" that may "trespass on personal rights and liberties"..
Sunanda Creagh , Planning bill open to abuse: report , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
***** NSW Federal MP Belinda Neal, after attending a central coast club, was considered by her husband as either having had too much alcohol
or was too emotional to drive the motor vehicle she drove to the club in. She has failed to front the media about her involvement in the events at
the club, but issued a tersely worded media release referring to the written apology issued by the club's general manager Steven Twitchin which
stated "No one in your party was abusive, swearing or intoxicated. Media reports today have totally distorted the version of events..". In early
media reports it was alleged Ms Neal had said to another employee : "What's your f---ing name? I will have your job as well. I will have the
f---ing police down here every weekend to close you down.".
Andrew Clennell and Paul Bibby , Minister's job on line: Premier seeks account , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
Editorial, Iemma must restore order to Government , Illawarra Mercury, 9 June 2008
***** Questions have been raised whether NSW Minister John Della Bosca MLC bullied the central coast club into providing a written apology,
given several employees stand by their statutory declarations 100%. The Minister spoke at least 4 times to the club's co-owners on Saturday
night and Sunday morning.
Andrew Clennell and Paul Bibby , Minister's job on line: Premier seeks account , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
Kara Lawrence, Neil Keene & Steve Gee , Club backflips over John Della Bosca 'bully' claims , Daily Telegraph, 9 June 2008.
***** A drunk man drove his motor car at about 230kph in the Illawarra region on the long weekend, which is notorious for it's road toll.
Michelle Hoctor, Drunk driver 'drove 230km' , Illawarra Mercury, 9 June 2008.
***** NSW newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald contains an article about blackmail , insinuation , defamation, legal threats, public insults,
secrets and lies.
Paul Sheehan, Pants man sullies pants suits vote , Sydney Morning Herald, 9 June 2008.
***** A magistrate has blasted NSW Police over the handling of a murder investigation and has recommended the DPP examine the case to
determine if charges should be laid against 3 named persons.
Kate McClymont , Coroner blasts police , Sydney Morning Herald, 2 June 2008.
Kate McClymont , Arson case man murdered: magistrate , Sydney Morning Herald, 3 June 2008.
Paul Barry , 'Explosive' evidence on Byrnes , Sunday Telegraph, 8 June 2008.
ABC News, Suspect murdered with heroin: coroner , ABC Radio, 2 June 2008.
***** Sydney city's rail timetable is in danger of collapsing as over-crowded trains hold up departures from stations.
Linton Besser , Stuffed: CityRail's timetable woe , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2008.
***** Industrial action by power workers in protest at the Iemma sell-off of electricity assets, results in NSW buying up to 30% of it's power
requirements from inter-state .
Ian Kirkwood, Workers agree to power on , Newcastle Herald, 7 June 2008.
***** Hetty Johnston is moving to Sydney because she believes that child abuse in NSW is out of control. Minister Kevin Greene says his door is
always open to Hetty.
Heath Gilmore, Bravehearts founder to tackle Sin City head on , Sun-Herald, 8 June 2008.
***** A top cop in the elite State Crime Commission is in gaol, pending a bail hearing on 11 June 2008, after being charged with conspiracy to
import precursor to "ice", with an estimated street value of $120 million.
ABC News, Top investigator kept in custody over drug ring , ABC Radio, 3 June 2008.
Kate McClymont & Deborah Snow , The cocaine, the dealer and the green light , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2008.
***** NSW Labor, the State's governing political party, is at war with itself. The Premier brushes it off as merely a 'family feud'.
ABC News, Iemma receives stern ALP warning , ABC Radio, 6 June 2008.
Andrew Clennell & Brian Robins, Iemma told list of foes growing , Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 2008.
At the movies, Iemma's Dilemma - on Youtube.
***** Breaking Westminster convention, Speaker of the NSW Parliament, Richard Torbay MP, has entered the political debate and accused the
Iemma government of trying to hold MP's to ransom over the electricity debate by attempting to tie rural reforms to passage of the electricity
sell-off legislation.
Simon Chamberlain, Criticism over region 'held to ransom' , Northern Daily Leader, 4 June 2008.
Lisa Carty , Fury at plan to link rural services to privatisation , Sun-Herald , 8 June 2008, p. 27.
***** A developer and a council planing officer are facing possible corruption charges.
Jano Gibson , Gong-gate lovers may face up to 15 years in jail , Sydney Morning Herald, 29 May 2008.
ABC News, ICAC 'too slow to release Wollongong findings' , ABC Radio, 29 May 2008.
***** A Shellharbour councillor believes the Council should be sacked. If this happened it would be the 3rd major council to be sacked in 2008.
Sarah Allely, We should be sacked: Gillett , Illawarra Mercury , 3 June 2008.
