Pokies chiefs learnt straight-shooting skills from powerful US gun lobby

Heath Aston The state clubs industry took advice from the influential US National Rifle Association before orchestrating the ''grassroots'' campaign that derailed Labor's poker machine reforms.

Muslims support gay marriage poll

Heath Aston Muslims have joined Christian groups in calling for a referendum on same-sex marriage. The main Islamic organisation, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, has backed an election day poll on...

$30,000 lure 'morally wrong'

Heath Aston The Star casino has been accused of running the ''mother of all gambling inducements'', a promotion encouraging local punters to spend a minimum $30,000 - but up to $6 million - over a five-week...

Court stops payout to obese man

Heath Aston A court decision to award a morbidly obese man more than $350,000 from his doctor because the GP failed to refer him to a weight-loss clinic or send him for lap-band surgery has been overturned on...

Seasoned shooter joins opposition to hunting in state national parks

Heath Aston A member of Game Council NSW who is facing criminal charges for allegedly taking part in illegal hunting expeditions says the government should abandon plans to open national parks to shooting.

Blow to Game Council as leaders charged over hunt

Heath Aston The Game Council's role as the guardian of ethical hunting has been further damaged after a senior manager and a longtime volunteer were charged with a total of 17 offences relating to illegal...

Gay slurs take AIDS fighter by surprise

Heath Aston A NSW government MP stunned colleagues at an inquiry into gay marriage when she accused the gay community of ''looking down'' on women and deliberately excluding them from efforts to combat AIDS.

Combet lashes Berejiklian over claim tax will drive up fares

Heath Aston The state government has been accused of ''gross deception'' over claims public transport fares would have to rise because of the carbon tax.

Obese man wins $350,000 payout from GP

Heath Aston A morbidly obese man dying of liver cancer has been awarded more than $350,000 from his doctor because the GP failed to refer him to a weight-loss clinic or send him for lap-band surgery.

Debt issue a mix-up - Photios

Heath Aston THE Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Photios has less than a month to stave off bankruptcy proceedings brought against him over an unpaid debt on a BMW.

Game boss suspended over illegal hunt claim

Heath Aston THE state government's plan to allow hunting in national parks is in turmoil after the acting head of the Game Council was stood down on suspicion of illegal hunting.

Miners lobbied premier to pull plug on environmental legal centre

Heath Aston The mining industry urged Barry O'Farrell to scrap funding to the Environmental Defenders Office - and months later the government did just that.

Fears drunk hunters will roam parks

Heath Aston Unlicensed hunters who mix guns and alcohol will go to national parks to shoot illegally once the feral animal cull begins in March, a government report warns.

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Hunt fury may trigger park disruptions

Heath Aston ACCESS to national parks could be interrupted over summer as rangers consider ways to protest against the state government's introduction of hunting in NSW's 800 parks.

Hunting in national parks may increase feral animals

Heath Aston, Nicole Hasham HUNTING in national parks may increase the population of feral animals in certain areas, an internal state government report has warned.

Service revamp to soothe unhappy souls

Heath Aston The NSW public is the most dissatisfied with its government in Australia, prompting a radical overhaul of state services within months.

'Not on our watch': shooters' lobby frustrates tighter controls on guns

Heath Aston THE state government allowed a little-known committee stacked with representatives of the shooting and hunting fraternities to reject tighter gun controls proposed by police.

Hunter Valley wineries threaten to charge at the cellar door

Jo Casamento, Heath Aston THE Hunter Valley's biggest wineries will be forced to start charging for tastings unless the state government reverses a decision to scrap a tax subsidy that the industry says it relies on to remain...

$5m office facelift as 2000 jobs cut

Heath Aston State government bankers splurged almost $5 million on an office revamp at the same time as Treasury was sharpening its axe to cut 2000 lowly paid education and health workers from the public payroll.