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Labor’s attack on the budget is a failure

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 25 Mei 2014 | 23.08

The Kerrigan family from the movie The Castle. Picture: Working Dog Productions Source: Supplied

THEY are a model family and while they were victorious in one of Australia's most famous court battles, they have not triumphed in this Budget.

The Kerrigans, the valiant home front defenders in the movie The Castle are fictional, but the ALP believes they represent the plight of real families under the Government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

And it's not just the vibe.

For example, take the decision to index fuel excise which will push up petrol prices.

The Kerrigans own four cars — a Camira, a Cortina, a Commodore and a Torana.

Labor calculates that if each vehicle required a full petrol tank refill every two weeks they would be paying an extra $80 a year in fuel tax.

The family also has a boat, which it is presumed is run on unleaded petrol.

If the family visits Bonnie Doon once a month, using one-tank of petrol (on a 25 horsepower motor with a 50 gallon tank), the fuel tax increase will cost an additional $21 a year.

As Dale Kerrigan once said of his father Darryl: "If there's anything Dad loved more than serenity, it was a big two-stroke engine on full throttle."

And it can't be forgotten that patriarch Darryl owns a tow-truck business, which at the end of the movie had eight trucks. The extra costs for this small businessman might be considerable.

In The Castle the Kerrigans showed how ordinary Australians could stand up for their rights.

These heroes are: Heads of the family Darryl and Sal; their children Wayne (serving time for armed robbery) Steve and Tracey; Tracey's husband Con Petropelous: Steve's girlfriend Kerri.

Plus Con and Tracey have a boy aged about four or five, and Steve and Kerri have a baby boy.

Measuring their Budget response is a one-sided set of calculations overall. The Kerrigans are not asked if they are prepared to make sacrifices for the good of the nation's finances, as the Government insists is necessary.

They are not asked their thoughts on Labor's management of the Budget during six years in government.

Actor Michael Caton (L) as Darryl Kerrigan and actor Stephen Curry. Source: News Limited

It might be, as Darryl said in another context, "The Law of bloody common sense."

Or perhaps he'd say: "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."

While Dale digs holes, he and Steve are likely to be looking for jobs. So a six-month suspension of the Newstart Allowance would cost a total of $13,000 in the first year alone.

Tracey has already qualified as a hairdresser at Sunshine TAFE but if Dale or Steve wanted to start a course at TAFE or elsewhere they would lose the Education Entry Payment ($208 each), costing an additional ($416).

Labor calculates increased health costs would amount to $67.70 a year for Darryl, Dale, Steve, Wayne and Con. For Tracey, Sal and Kerri it would be $74.40.

And then there are family payments.

Should Tracey return to work part-time after the birth of her child. Tracey Kerrigan gives birth to a baby. Following the birth of her child, she and her husband would be eligible for Family Tax Benefit B. But when their child turns six, they would lose this benefit, worth $3018 a year.

But she would get much better maternity leave with another child.

And there is a list of Labor programs now disappearing, such as the Tools for Tradies which would have gained Dale $5500 had he studied a trade, and the $1020 First Home Saver Accounts which might have helped Steve and Kerri buy a castle of their own.

The Kerrigans are made of stout stuff and would probably live within their means, as the Government is promising to do itself, and they might be looking forward to income tax cuts, while Darryl might be relishing the prospect of a company tax reduction.

As Darryl might say: "Suffer in your jocks."

However, $15 million has been cut from the Legal Aid Commission, possibly harming the family's defence of their home should it again come under threat, and should Laurie be unable to work pro bono again.


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Inside a killer’s twisted world

The alleged Isla Vista shooter, Elliot Rodgers wrote a chilling 140 page document providing graphic details of his murderous plot. Courtesy: Fox News

Scene of the shooting ... in California. Picture: France Kirsten, Twitter Source: Supplied

LESS than 24 hours after Elliot Rodger carried out the deadly rampage that left six innocent victims dead in a California college town, a 140-page manifesto penned by the mentally disturbed 22-year-old arrived at a local TV station.

In the rambling document, titled "My Twisted World", Rodger outlined his plans to take vengeance against those female students who had rejected him.

He had sent the document to a friend who then passed it on to KEYT-TV Channel 3 in Santa Barbara, which provided a copy to The Los Angeles Times.

In cold blood ... Elliot Rodger killed six people before taking his own life. Source: Supplied

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Read Rodger's hate-filled YouTube rant

'WHY DID CHRIS DIE?': Father lashes out

KILLER WAS A 'VERY DISTURBED BOY': grandmother tells of fears

"All of those beautiful girls I've desired so much in my life, but can never have because they despise and loathe me, I will destroy," wrote Rodger, the son of Peter Rodger, an assistant director on The Hunger Games.

Elliot Rodger details the reasons behind his mass shooting, the day before carrying out the horrific attack. WARNING: Some viewers may find disturbing.

"All of those popular people who live hedonistic lives of pleasure, I will destroy, because they never accepted me as one of them. I will kill them all and make them suffer, just as they have made me suffer. It is only fair."

Rampage ... a Facebook selfie of Elliot Rodger, who stabbed to death three of his room-mates before killing three students in a drive-by shooting in Santa Barbara. Source: Supplied

The Santa Barbara City College student took his own life after his deadly rampage, which began in his own apartment.

"I would have to kill my housemates to get them out of the way," he wrote in his manifesto. "In fact, I'd even enjoy stabbing them both to death while they slept."

It appears as though Elliot Rodger was planning the killing spree "for at least a year," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told CNN on Sunday morning.

In his manifesto, Rodger divided his rampage up into three parts.

Deadly ... Elliot Rodger in his black BMW, which he drove during his killing spree. Source: Supplied

"On the day before the Day of Retribution, I will start the First Phase of my vengeance: Silently killing as many people as I can around Isla Vista by luring them into my apartment through some form of trickery," he wrote.

'I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU LIKE ANIMALS': chilling video

His Second Phase, he said, would represent his "War on Women".

"I will punish all females for the crime of depriving me of sex. They have starved me of sex for my entire youth, and gave that pleasure to other men," he wrote.

"In doing so, they took many years of my life away.

"I cannot kill every single female on earth, but I can deliver a devastating blow that will shake all of them to the core of their wicked hearts. I will attack the very girls who represent everything I hate in the female gender: The hottest sorority of UCSB."

Senseless killing ... student Chris Martinez was shot dead in the gun rampage. Source: No Source

The final phase, he said, would be his "ultimate showdown in the streets of Isla Vista".

In this section, he spoke of killing his family and using his parents' Mercedes SUV as "killing machines against my enemies."

Rodger also spoke of his plans for "retribution" in a chilling video posted on YouTube.

"On the day of retribution I am going to enter the hottest sorority house ... and I will slaughter every single spoiled single stuck up blonde s**t I see inside there," he said.

Earlier, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown detailed how the horror of Rodger's rampage unfolded.

Rodger "repeatedly stabbed" three male victims at his apartment prior to the shootings in the town of Isla Vista, near the University of California's Santa Barbara campus.

Grief ... students attend a candlelight vigil in the college town of Isla Vista. Source: AFP

Once outside, Rodger targeted three women from across a street, killing two of them aged 22 and 19, Brown said.

Driving in his car, a black BMW, Rodger found his next victim, a 20-year-old student named Christopher Martinez, shooting him dead.

Police then went after him, Brown said, as Rodger shot indiscriminately at passers-by - injuring at least 13 - and drove all over the road.

Rodger was shot in the hip in a shootout, before zooming off once more and hitting a cyclist, throwing him onto the hood of his car.

"The suspect's vehicle then collided with several parked cars and came to a stop," said Brown, but Rodger "was obviously dead with an apparent gunshot wound to the head."

So much grief ... Students gather at the University of California's Santa Barbara campus in Isla Vista to pay tribute to the victins. Source: AFP

Three nine-millimeter semi-automatic handguns were recovered from the BMW — all legally purchased and registered — and Rodger had dozens of unused rounds of ammunition.

It has emerged that police had "contacts" with Rodger on three separate occasions before Friday's killings, the first time in July 2013, Brown said.

Richard Martinez, father of Christopher, choked up several times as he paid tribute to his son and blamed politicians and the gun lobby, asking in an emotional and at times angry speech:

Father's pain ... Richard Martinez, whose son Christopher was killed in the mass shooting, breaks down as he talks to the media. Source: AP

"When will this insanity stop?" "Our family has a message for every parent out there: you don't think it'll happen to your child until it does," he said, his face contorted with despair and rage.

"Chris was a really great kid, ask anyone who knew him. His death has left our family lost and broken." His voice shaking with emotion, Martinez rounded on politicians and the powerful National Rifle Association.

Hollywood family ... Elliot Rodger's father, British director Peter Rodger. Source: Getty Images

"Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA," Martinez said, raising his voice.

"They talk about gun rights. What about Chris's right to live? When will this insanity stop?"

The bloodshed was just the latest in a string of gun massacres that have rocked the United States in recent years and is likely to trigger more passionate debate about gun rights.

Horrific ... Elliot Rodger took his own life after his deadly rampage in Santa Barbara. Source: Supplied

Anti-gun campaigner Michael Moore responded to the massacre by posting a statement on his Facebook profile describing America's national symbol as "the gun, not the eagle".

"With due respect to those who are asking me to comment on last night's tragic mass shooting ... I no longer have anything to say about what is now part of normal American life," Moore wrote.

A community in mourning gather for a candlelight vigil to honour the victims of Friday night's mass shooting in Santa Barbara, California. Courtesy: Instagram

"Everything I have to say about this, I said it 12 years ago: We are a people easily manipulated by fear which causes us to arm ourselves with a quarter BILLION guns in our homes that are often easily accessible to young people, burglars, the mentally ill and anyone who momentarily snaps."

Devastated students from the University of California's Santa Barbara campus hugged each other and wept as they gathered at a candelight vigil for those killed in the rampage.

Katie Cooper, shooting victim. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Veronica Weiss, shooting victim. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Earlier, residents at the Alpha Phi sorority reported hearing loud and aggressive banging on the front door that lasted for about two minutes. Shortly afterwards witnesses reported seeing young women standing outside shot by Rodger from across the street.

Those inside who refused to open the door were saved from certain death.

"He [Elliot] banged on the door, but no one opened the door so he just drove off and opened fire everywhere," said one student.

Alan Schifman, the lawyer for the Rodger family, said the 22-year-old was being treated by several therapists. He added that his parents and a social worker knew of his difficulties and had been so alarmed by his behaviour they had reported him to police.

Schifman said Rodger was a high-functioning patient with Asperger syndrome who had faced bullying through his schooling and had difficulty making friends.

Mass shooting ... bodies are seen covered on the ground after the mass drive-by shooting. Picture: AP Photo/KEYT, John Palminteri Source: AP

In the YouTube video, Rodger man rants about women who have allegedly rejected him, saying he doesn't understand why he is a 22-year-old virgin and wanted to seek his revenge.

He says: "Tomorrow is the day of retribution, the day in which I will have my revenge against humanity, against all of you.

"For the last eight years of my life, ever since I hit puberty I've been forced to endure an existence of loneliness, rejection and unfulfilled desires all because girls have never been attracted to me.

"Girls gave their affection and sex and love to other men, but never to me.

"I'm 22 years old and still a virgin. I've never even kissed a girl.

"I've been through college for two and a half years … and I'm still a virgin. It has been very torturous. I've had to rot in loneliness. It's not fair.

"Girls have never been attracted to me. I will punish you all for it. It's an injustice, a crime.

"On the day of retribution I am going to enter the hottest sorority house ... and I will slaughter every single spoiled single stuck up blonde s**t I see inside there."

Murder ... paramedics at the scene of the rampage next to the University of California. Picture: NOOZHAWK Source: Supplied

Bloody scene ... Seven people, including the suspected gunman, died during the shooting rampage. Picture: AP//KEYT, John Palminteri Source: AP

A student said he saw shots fired from a BMW, fatally striking one woman and critically injuring another woman.

"I heard shots, scream, pain," Michael Vitak said.

"All emotions. I hope she is going to be fine."

Wrecked car ... a BMW sedan sits wrecked on an Isla Vista sidewalk after the driver — who allegedly gunned down six people during a blocks-long shooting rampage Picture: Urban Hikers Source: Supplied

Andrew Jun, a third year economics and accounting student who witnessed the rampage, told AFP the situation was "pretty surreal." "It's unbelievable that this kind of thing can happen," he said. Other witnesses said they initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks or firecrackers.

Sienna Schwartz, her voice breaking, recalled how she came face-to-face with the gunman.

At first, she mistook the attacker's "little black pistol" for an airsoft gun. "I turned around, and I started walking the other way. He shot, and I felt like -- I just felt, like, the wind pass right by my face," Schwartz told CNN as she choked back tears.

Nine crime scenes ... night-time drive-by shooting in a student enclave next to the University of California. Picture: NOOZHAWK Source: Supplied

By grisly coincidence, in 2001, the son of Ally McBeal and The Wire television series director Daniel Attias ran down four pedestrians with his car on a crowded street just a block away from the scene of Friday's assault.

Witnesses said that part-time college student David Attias got out of the car after his deed and shouted "I am the angel of death." He was ruled insane and locked up in a state hospital after being initially convicted of second-degree murder.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36, or Salvo Care Line 1300 36 36 22.


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wally’s king hit on battling Blues

NSW have touched down in Queensland ahead of Origin 1, with forward Beau Scott admitting the hasty reception they received has the Blues motivated to cause an upset.

Maroons great Wally Lewis. Source: News Limited

MAROONS icon Wally Lewis has blasted Paul Gallen as disrespectful and questioned the selection strategy of a NSW team he claims will never understand the meaning of Origin.

Gallen's "two-heads" jibe carried more promotional than malicious intent but it has incensed Maroons pioneers like Lewis, who believes it denigrates Queensland's record dynasty.

The Blues arrived in Brisbane on Sunday night from their Coffs Harbour base and Gallen is set to face a hostile reception from 50,000 Maroons fans in Origin I on Wednesday night.

Wally Lewis has blasted Laurie Daley's (L) choice of halves Josh Reynolds (C) and Trent Hodkinson. Source: Getty Images

The NSW skipper has never won an Origin series since his 2006 debut and Lewis says Gallen's record illustrates why the Blues cannot grasp Queensland's passion.

"I don't think NSW ever did get Origin. If this (run of losses) continues for NSW, they might eventually get it," said The King, a veteran of 31 Origin matches.

The decision to limit Justin Hodges workload in the lead up to the state of origin series has paid off for Queensland, with the 31-year old veteran considered a certain starter for game one this Wednesday.

"That (Gallen's comment) was an indication of a long-held disrespect for Queensland.

"For NSW, it was a waste of f***ing time playing Queensland for decades and then I hear Gallen joking about the two-headed people up north.

PICK YOUR GREATEST EVER ORIGIN SIDE

"Paul Gallen was obviously trying to make a painful memory amusing, but show me a current Queenslander who has been insulting to NSW and their players.

"Mal Meninga (Queensland coach) is big on respect. When has a Queensland player in this team put s*** on the Blues and ridiculed them?

FULL ORIGIN SQUADS AND MATCH INFO

"Public humiliation is not a part of this Queensland squad and that's why they have class. Mal's men don't have to resort to ridiculing NSW to enjoy their victories.

"You can quote me on this ... I'd rather be in our position than to be in Gallen's shoes and have to suffer the embarrassment of eight straight Origin losses."

NSW forward Tony Williams believes the Blues' thorough preparation has them well positioned to claim victory in the opening game of the State of Origin series.

Lewis is equally dismayed by the Blues' selection methodology.

NSW mentor Laurie Daley has taken the biggest gamble of his embryonic Origin coaching career, pitchforking debutant halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson into the Suncorp furnace.

Daley is banking on their successful club combination to orchestrate an Origin I boilover, but Lewis is puzzled by the Blues' boom-or-bust strategy.

Paul Gallen arrives in Brisbane on Sunday. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

"When did we start choosing blokes in rep sides only because they play alongside their teammate. That seems like a mercy dash to me," he said.

"There seems to be a belief you have to pick club players who understand each other's games well enough and that's why they picked the two Canterbury guys.

"But when you are playing Origin football, you should just pick your best players.

"If the players are good enough, they will perform whether they have played beside each other in the NRL or not."


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

MasterChef back for more in 2015

Take a culinary whip around the world for a look at how the rest of world does MasterChef.

CHANNEL 10 has announced that MasterChef Australia will be back for a seventh season in 2015, in a rare piece of good news for the struggling network.

The move comes after a big turnaround in fortunes for the once all-conquering TV cooking show.

Last year's MasterChef Australia was a dud with contestants that couldn't cook and a trio of judges — Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan — that looked bored.

Producers had tried to emulate the success of My Kitchen Rules by casting on personality and possible clashes rather than skills.

FIRE IN THE BELLY: MasterChef goes back to basics

SLAMMED: Marco Pierre White takes swipe at My Kitchen Rules

"Maybe (last year) we (judges) weren't as engaged as in previous years," Preston admitted last month.

Fans abandoned the show that had once commanded nearly four million viewers nationally for its finale.

Confirmed ...Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston will be back in the MasterChef kitchen next year. Source: Channel 10

MasterChef Australia 2014 is a different story. This year's contestants, hand-picked by the judges, are plating up mouth-watering stunners.

Ratings have jumped more than 13 per cent compared to 2013. The show, now averaging around 900,000 viewers per episode, has its mojo back.

"We've switched back to MasterChef — so glad they've gone back to the food focus," viewer Liz Green said in a tweet which mirrors fan feeling.

The ratings surge means that Ten has already green-lit MasterChef Australia for 2015.

"We are really pleased that our audience has re-embraced MasterChef Australia," Ten program chief Beverley McGarvey says.

"We are all very proud of the quality of the show this season and look forward to the audience building from this extremely promising start.

"MasterChef Australia is a very important brand and we are just starting to work on the 2015 season now."

New approach ... last year the MasterChef judges seemed bored. This year they have a new spring in their step. Source: Supplied

So what has led to the resurgence of popularity?

Ten decided to dump any MasterChef spin-offs (Professionals, Junior) in the hope that viewers would be extra hungry for the main event — and that appears to have worked.

In another change, Preston, Calombaris and Mehigan hand-picked this year's Top 24 and it shows. The cooking is better and the judges are more engaged. Kylie Kwong has been added as a mentor.

The amount of individual challenges has increased. Team challenges, which dominated last year, have been pulled back.

"The audience's involvement is crucial (to success)," Preston says. "You want challenges that produce food that is clever and impressive but not totally unachievable to home cooks."

MasterChef's turnaround is good news for Ten at a time that the network is reeling from the axing of Wake Up and cuts to around 150 jobs, and the ratings failure of one of its other previous powerhouse brands, The Biggest Loser.

"MasterChef is without doubt the most important program in Ten's schedule," media analyst Steve Allen says.

"After years in the wilderness, the show's producers have got back to the 'soul' of the program.

"I think they got spooked by the success of Seven's rival My Kitchen Rules and lost their way.

"Now they are back on track and the show is true to its name."


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

How bad’s the Budget for battlers?

The Kerrigan family from the movie The Castle. Picture: Working Dog Productions Source: Supplied

THEY are a model family and while they were victorious in one of Australia's most famous court battles, they have not triumphed in this Budget.

The Kerrigans, the valiant home front defenders in the movie The Castle are fictional, but the ALP believes they represent the plight of real families under the Government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

And it's not just the vibe.

For example, take the decision to index fuel excise which will push up petrol prices.

The Kerrigans own four cars — a Camira, a Cortina, a Commodore and a Torana.

Labor calculates that if each vehicle required a full petrol tank refill every two weeks they would be paying an extra $80 a year in fuel tax.

The family also has a boat, which it is presumed is run on unleaded petrol.

If the family visits Bonnie Doon once a month, using one-tank of petrol (on a 25 horsepower motor with a 50 gallon tank), the fuel tax increase will cost an additional $21 a year.

As Dale Kerrigan once said of his father Darryl: "If there's anything Dad loved more than serenity, it was a big two-stroke engine on full throttle."

And it can't be forgotten that patriarch Darryl owns a tow-truck business, which at the end of the movie had eight trucks. The extra costs for this small businessman might be considerable.

In The Castle the Kerrigans showed how ordinary Australians could stand up for their rights.

These heroes are: Heads of the family Darryl and Sal; their children Wayne (serving time for armed robbery) Steve and Tracey; Tracey's husband Con Petropelous: Steve's girlfriend Kerri.

Plus Con and Tracey have a boy aged about four or five, and Steve and Kerri have a baby boy.

Measuring their Budget response is a one-sided set of calculations overall. The Kerrigans are not asked if they are prepared to make sacrifices for the good of the nation's finances, as the Government insists is necessary.

They are not asked their thoughts on Labor's management of the Budget during six years in government.

Actor Michael Caton (L) as Darryl Kerrigan and actor Stephen Curry. Source: News Limited

It might be, as Darryl said in another context, "The Law of bloody common sense."

Or perhaps he'd say: "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."

While Dale digs holes, he and Steve are likely to be looking for jobs. So a six-month suspension of the Newstart Allowance would cost a total of $13,000 in the first year alone.

Tracey has already qualified as a hairdresser at Sunshine TAFE but if Dale or Steve wanted to start a course at TAFE or elsewhere they would lose the Education Entry Payment ($208 each), costing an additional ($416).

Labor calculates increased health costs would amount to $67.70 a year for Darryl, Dale, Steve, Wayne and Con. For Tracey, Sal and Kerri it would be $74.40.

And then there are family payments.

Should Tracey return to work part-time after the birth of her child. Tracey Kerrigan gives birth to a baby. Following the birth of her child, she and her husband would be eligible for Family Tax Benefit B. But when their child turns six, they would lose this benefit, worth $3018 a year.

But she would get much better maternity leave with another child.

And there is a list of Labor programs now disappearing, such as the Tools for Tradies which would have gained Dale $5500 had he studied a trade, and the $1020 First Home Saver Accounts which might have helped Steve and Kerri buy a castle of their own.

The Kerrigans are made of stout stuff and would probably live within their means, as the Government is promising to do itself, and they might be looking forward to income tax cuts, while Darryl might be relishing the prospect of a company tax reduction.

As Darryl might say: "Suffer in your jocks."

However, $15 million has been cut from the Legal Aid Commission, possibly harming the family's defence of their home should it again come under threat, and should Laurie be unable to work pro bono again.


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mystery donor tweeting clues for cash

Mystery benefactor ... a Twitter user is leaving 'hidden cash' all over San Francisco in a 'social experiment for good'. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

A MYSTERY benefactor is hiding cash around San Francisco and tweeting photos with location clues as part of a "social experiment for good".

The hide-and-seek game began on Thursday night, with the secret donor sharing a picture of a vegetable patch and the caption "Love arugula? So do we ;)" on the Twitter account @HiddenCash.

Dozens of tweets have since been posted, containing clues to $100 and smaller notes stashed under benches, in unisex bathrooms and in parks around the city.

Once the money is found, the lucky recipient must tweet a photo of themselves with the cash, like this:

— Olivia Benson (@GrijalvaOlivia) May 24, 2014

According to the Twitter account, @HiddenCash is "an anonymous social experiment for good. Real cash hidden around FS & beyond."

The identity of the mystery tweeter is unknown, but they told Bold Italic via email they're a real estate magnate who wants to give back.

"I've made millions of dollars the last few years, more than I ever imagined, and yet many friends of mine, and people who work for me, cannot afford to buy a modest home in the Bay Area," they wrote.

"This has caused me quite a bit of reflection. I am determined to give away some of the money I make, and in addition to charity, to do it in fun, creative ways like this."

The unidentified Tweep has more than 9800 followers eagerly awaiting the next tip.

"Could you and 25 of your friends use a @Sightglass Coffee? Look in the abandoned phonebox next door,: one tweet said, along with a photo of a $100 note.

Early birds will get the worm this Sunday! Hint: Usually you pay them. Today, they'll pay you. Multiple locations," the most recent, posted on Sunday, read.

@HiddenCash said they would leave money once or twice a week, and are considering expanding to other cities.

"This is my way of giving back to the community and also having fun," the anonymous person said.

"[I] was just kicking around ideas with a friend yesterday and we decided to start hiding a bunch of cash in different places around the city."


23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roger Rogerson wanted for questioning

Wanted man ... disgraced former police detective Roger Rogerson. Source: News Limited

Sydney university student Jamie Gao Source: Supplied

DISGRACED former detective Roger Rogerson is being sought for questioning over the disappearance of Sydney University student Jamie Gao.

Police believe Mr Gao, 20, was kidnapped and murdered after attending a mystery meeting on Arab Rd, Padstow last Tuesday.

He was last seen getting into a white car after talking to two men.

Another former detective and a known associate of Rogerson, Glen McNamara, was last night being questioned over his involvement in the matter.

McNamara was helping police with their inquiries at St George Police Station.

Police were trying to locate 73-year-old Rogerson, who is believed to be in Queensland.

Rogerson was not answering telephone calls last night.

McNamara's lawyer Charles Moschoudis said he was unable to comment on the matter. "I would like to help but I really can't.'' he said.

"It might be better if you speak to the police.''

Members of the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad searched Rogerson's Padstow house yesterday afternoon.

Former police detective Roger Rogerson. Source: News Limited

A police spokesman said the matter was part of an ongoing investigation.

"At this stage it is an ongoing investigation with a number of persons of interest to be questioned,'' he said.

University student Jamie Gao had been talking excitedly for days about the mystery meeting, which police now believe led to his kidnapping and murder.

Family and friends said the 20-year-old was vague about what the meeting was about except that it was of great significance­ to him. "Jamie told friends the meeting was really important, was excited about it but wouldn't say much else,'' Robbery­ and Serious Crime Squad head Detective Superintendent Luke Moore said yesterday. "And when he talked to friends he indicated he would be seeing them later in the day.''

The Hurstville resident was last seen getting into a white car on Arab Rd, Padstow, near a McDonald's about 1.40pm last Tuesday after chatting to two men.

"What that meeting was about, we don't know,'' Supt Moore said.

He has not been heard from since and his phone, keys and wallet were found near his white Nissan Silvia sedan, which was abandoned in Stuart­ St, Padstow, on the afternoon of that mysterious meeting.

Former police officer Glen McNamara. Source: News Limited

There was nothing in Mr Gao's background to suggest he was involved in drugs or any other criminal activity.

"But that is not to say he may not have gotten involved in something way above his head,'' Supt Moore said.

At first police treated Mr Gao's disappearance as a possible kidnapping for ransom but released details after the investigation led them to believe the motive was related to something else.

Police established there had not been any contact with family members and that Mr Gao's family did not seem to have the sort of money normally­ associated with ransoms.

His mother, a Hurstville business owner who was on an overseas holidays at the time, has flown back from Hong Kong to Sydney. "Jamie is an only child and his mother is extremely distraught."

Mr Gao was born in Sydney and was completing a business degree at the University of Technology, where he was a capable and good student.

Police investigations of friends, family and associates paint a picture of a fairly normal young man who didn't have lots of money or a lavish lifestyle.

Friend Jessica Yun said on social media: "He hasn't contacted us or anything, me and my friends are worried sick." .

At the same time the then cop Roger Rogerson was putting criminals behind bars, he was a willing participant in many of the crimes.

After chalking up 13 bravery awards in the '80s, his world quickly fell apart and he was jailed for a number of offences in the 1990s. In 2005 he and his wife were convicted of lying in 2005 to the Police Integrity Commission in 1999. He served another year in jail.

Jamie Gao's motor vehicle, a Nissan Sylvia, was found abandoned in Stuart St, Padstow / Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

COP WHO JOINED THE CRIMINALS IN PRISON Warren Gibbs

ROGER Rogerson was once hailed NSWs best cop, boasting 13 bravery awards and praised for his "devotion to duty".

But he led a double-life. Not only did he put crims behind bars, he was one of them.

Rogerson gave the green light to some of NSW's worst offenders — among them hitmen Christopher Dale Flannery and Neddy Smith — to commit crimes.

In 1980, he was awarded the Peter Mitchell Award the highest annual police trophy 1980 for the arrest of escaped armed robber Gary Purdey.

Rogerson was dismissed from the force in 1986. He was convicted of perverting the course of justice over $110,000 deposited by him into a bank account under a false name.

He spent nine months behind bars in 1990 before being released on appeal. The appeal was dismissed and the disgraced detective spent three more years in the slammer from 1992 to 1995.

But his days of disgrace were far from over. In 2005 Rogerson and his wife were convicted of lying to the Police Integrity Commission in 1999. He served another 12 months.

Last year Rogerson was back in the news, telling a court that if he tried anything now he would "probably get caught".

In his heyday Rogerson was responsible for a string of crimes and in 1981 shot dead criminal Warren Lanfranci — but a coroner found he had acted in self-defence.

However, it was alleged by Lanfranchi's partner, Sallie-Anne Huckstepp and later by Smith that Rogerson had murdered Lanfranchi as revenge for robbing another heroin dealer.

In 1984 a fellow officer, Michael Drury, alleged Rogerson was involved in his attempted murder. Mr Drury claims he refused to accept a bribe from Rogerson and was later shot. Rogerson was charged with the shooting, but acquitted.


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#YesAllWomen is a must read

All women ... Students march on the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara during a candlelight vigil held to honour the victims of Friday night's mass shooting. Source: AP

ELLIOT Rodger said his bloody rampage was "retribution" for being constantly rejected by women. Social media has responded in force with the #YesAllWomen hashtag trending on Twitter from people determined that Rodger would not have the final word.

Rodger, 22, opened fire at 9:30pm on Friday night near the Univeristy of California in Santa Barbara, killing six before taking his own life.

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Read Rodger's hate-filled YouTube rant

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'I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU LIKE ANIMALS': chilling video

In a video Rodger rants about how women are to blame for the shooting because they rejected him, the "supreme gentleman" in favour of "obnoxious brutes."

Gunman ... This image is from video posted on YouTube, showing Elliot Rodger. Source: AP

In response a conversation was started on Twitter where women were encouraged to share their stories of fear and violence with the #YesAllWomen hashtag.

It appeared to be started by @gildedspine, who wrote, "I'm going to be tweeting under the #YesAllWomen hashtag. Let's discuss what 'not all men' might do but woman must fear."

Here are just some of the responses.


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