Stench revisited rivals the latest
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday October 22, 2009
The timing could hardly be better: as allegations of corruption continue to swirl around the NSW Parliament following the murder of Michael McGurk, the veteran former state MP and noted corruption fighter John Hatton has announced the imminent launch of his biography. Its title? The Stench in this Parliament. Penned by Ruth Richmond, the book contains a glowing forward from the Sydney Lord Mayor and state MP for Sydney, Clover Moore, who along with Hatton and Peter McDonald shared the balance of power in Parliament while Nick Greiner was premier. Hatton, who sat in Parliament for 22 years and was hated by politicians from both major parties, is credited with instigating the Wood Royal Commission into corruption in the NSW Police. The book is subtitled "The story of the Independent nobody who brought down a premier", referring to Hatton's lead role in forcing Greiner's resignation from Parliament over the Terry Metherell affair. Richmond notes: "In the minds of many, Greiner's sacking created a deep scar in Hatton's credibility." Despite the passage of time, it seems old wounds are yet to fully heal: Metherell, Greiner and his successor as premier, John Fahey, all declined to be interviewed for the book, Richmond writes. It will be launched by one of Parliament's current independents, the Speaker, Richard Torbay, on November 4.OUT OF NAPPIESWearing a nappy in public is not generally regarded as a sensible career move, but it paid off for Kate Miller-Heidke. Following her role as the nappy fetishist, Baby Jane, in Jerry Springer: The Opera at the Opera House in April, the pop singer has been invited to work with its British writer, Richard Thomas, on a new musical. The show, a dance piece that weaves together a number of separate stories, is still in development but is scheduled to open in London next year. Miller-Heidke doubts it will cause as much controversy as Jerry Springer: The Opera, which drew protests from Christian groups about its blasphemous and obscene content. "It's very different and there are not as many swear words," she told our pop opera scribe, Louise Schwartzkoff. "There are some, of course. You know, a 'c---' every now and again."IT WASN'T HIMJohn Howard's former chief-of-staff, Arthur Sinodinos, found himself in the unfamiliar surrounds of Downing Centre Local Court yesterday to defend a charge that he was caught driving while his licence was suspended. Court papers show that the political mandarin-turned National Australia Bank executive was pulled over by police at 11.54pm the day after Boxing Day last year while travelling on Military Road in Cremorne. When a check of the police computer indicated his licence was suspended due to the loss of demerit points, Sinodinos was promptly slapped with a court attendance notice. But yesterday his solicitor, the traffic offence svengali Dennis Miralis, told the court it was all a big mistake. It seems Arthur's licence shouldn't have been cancelled after all €“ someone else had been driving his car when the points were lost. The charges were withdrawn and the matter dismissed.SCRAP OVER BRA BOYSThe Abberton brothers of Maroubra are no strangers to conflict, but few expected the two publishing houses that have produced books about their lives growing up in the Bra Boys surf gang to start their own fight. Allen & Unwin published My Brother's Keeper by the Daily Telegraph journalists Charles Miranda and Angela Kamper in 2006. HarperCollins followed this year with My Brother's Keeper: The Official Bra Boys Story, by the journalist Sean Doherty, drawing loud complaints from the former because of the similarity of the titles. The good news is that they have resolved the dispute. A HarperCollins spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that a new print run with a reworked title €“ The Official Bra Boys Story in large type, My Brother's Keeper in smaller type €“ has now hit booksellers. Allen & Unwin was less inclined to elaborate. "We have no comment to make," was the curt response from a spokeswoman yesterday.A BIG DAY FOR NICOLE KIDMANTheOscar-winner, Nashville mother and goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Womenwas heading for a very different stage this morning when shewas due to appear before the US Congress as part of a delegation addressing a hearing on violence against women. A US congressman Bill Delahunt, who is heading the hearing, told reporters in the US yesterday he expected ahealthy turnout for today€™s hearing thanks to Kidman€™s star power.GOT A TIP? Contact diary@smh.com.au or 9282 2179WHAT€™S ON TODAY Super 14 awards and inductees into the Rugby Hall of Fame to be announced at the John Eales Medal dinner, Sydney. ANZ to announce full-year results. NewYork band The Ataris to perform at the Gaelic Theatre, Sydney. The British band Gomez to perform at the Metro Theatre, Sydney.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald