IS IT ALL OVER FOR STEVE SIMPSON?

There’s mounting specualtion that Newcastle Knights Legend Steve Simpson will announce his retirement tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Premiership winning player, who starred for both state and country, has been battling a chronic knee injury all season.

SATURDAY NEWS

Watch NBN EVENING NEWS Saturday night news bulletin in full with Jane Goldsmith.

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER

Julia Gillard will become Australia’s first female prime minister after Kevin Rudd stood aside instead of facing a leadership ballot.

Mr Rudd decided not to take part in a leadership ballot rather than face a defeat in the Labor party room shortly after 9am this morning.

“I feel very honoured and I will be making a full statement very shortly,” Ms Gillard said to the media as she left the party room.

Wayne Swan will become Deputy Prime Minister in an uncontested ballot, as well as keeping his current job as Treasurer.

“The next Labor prime minister and the first female prime minister of this country will be Julia Gillard,” caucus returning officer Michael Forshaw told reporters after emerging from a party room meeting.

Ms Gillard’s father John said he was incredibly proud and excited to see his daughter become prime minister.

“I knew that Julia would be a formidable performer, but to rise to the highest office in the land was never in the forefront of my mind,” he said.

“I think she’ll be a prime minister that will build a fair and decent society for Australians, that she’ll be a team player and hopefully unite the party behind her and face the election whenever it comes.”

Ms Gillard’s challenge to Mr Rudd came after the Australian Workers’ Union withdrew its support and a group of young turk MPs threw a rocket under his prime ministership.

The drama is believed to have begun on Wednesday morning when NSW powerbroker Mark Arbib, Victorians Bill Shorten and Dave Feeney, and South Australian Don Farrell visited Ms Gillard to tell her they had lost confidence in the prime minister.

Late Wednesday Mr Rudd’s leadership began to look untenable when senior union powerbrokers Paul Howes and Bill Ludwig threw their weight behind Ms Gillard.

Mr Rudd said he’d lost support from key members of the party during the last few weeks.

“It has become apparent to me in the course of the last period of time … that a number of factional leaders in the Labor party no longer support my leadership,” he said.

“That is why it is imperative this matter be resolved.”

Treasurer Wayne Swan, Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner, Defence Minister John Faulkner and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese were in with Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard through the night.

Nine News political editor Laurie Oakes said Mr Rudd had turned in a “brilliant performance” at the press conference but it was probably too late.

“I can’t see any way Kevin Rudd can survive [tomorrow’s spill],” he said.

“Kevin Rudd is being brave, he’s going to fight to the end, but I can’t see him winning.”

Late Wednesday Mr Rudd’s leadership began to look untenable when senior union powerbrokers Paul Howes and Bill Ludwig threw their weight behind Ms Gillard.

Mr Howes told AAP they had looked at the Labor research in recent hours and decided a change in leadership was in the best interest of their members.

He and Mr Ludwig had decided it was in the best interest of their members to throw their weight behind Ms Gillard.

Only hours earlier Mr Rudd had denied suggestions that his chief of staff, Alister Jordan, was taking the temperature of caucus to gauge support for his leadership.

“Alister’s job, since I became leader of the opposition, is to be in constant contact with members of the parliamentary party and with ministers and with cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries,” Mr Rudd told reporters.

“I don’t think anything’s really changed much in the last four years.

“Those are the sorts of conversations that happen every day and have done so ever since I got this job.”

Trade Minister Simon Crean, a strong ally of Ms Gillard’s, came out in support of Mr Rudd.

“I do not support any leadership challenge,” he told AAP through a spokesman.

“Any loose talk or idle speculation on this matter is counterproductive.

“I urge solidarity behind the leader. I support Kevin as the leader.”

Source: ninemsn
Link: Click for source

KNIGHTS SECURE DRAGONS BEAU

Although desperately looking for front rowers, Newcastle has enjoyed some recruitment success.

Yet to announce it officially, they’ve signed exciting young Dragons half-back Beau Henry for the next three years.

Meanwhile, Warriors Under 20s star Siuatonga Likiliki is understood to have agreed to terms as well on a two year deal.

$95 MILLION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR NEW LEGAL PRECINCT IN NEWCASTLE

The State Attorney General has pledged $95-million for a new legal precinct, to be built along Burwood and Hunter streets, on Newcastle Council owned land.

The precinct was part of the HDC’s renewal report.

It’s understood council has been working with the Attorney General’s department for some time, and is looking forward to start of construction.

LENNOX HEAD HIT BY MAJOR STORM

A major storm has hit the Northern NSW suburb of Lennox Head this morning.

The storm hit the township of Lennox Head around 7.30am with a water spout crossing the coast.

An evacuation centre has been set up at the Sports and Recreation Club, Lennox Head, for residents requiring temporary accommodation.

There have been a number of persons injured and are being treated by NSW Ambulance personnel.

NBN reporters are on the ground and will continue bringing you pictures and updates throughout the day.

NBN’s Kerri Anne show has been running updates from Lennox.

KNIGHTS SURVEY STORM DAMAGE

Newcastle Knights Chief Executive Officer, Steve Burraston, speaks live on air with NBN’s Mike Rabbitt, after issuing a statement in relation to the announcement of salary cap breeches by the Melbourne Storm:

“I am shocked by the enormity of the breech and it is my understanding that it could be up to $700,000 alone in 2010,” Mr Burraston said.

“Unfortunately we are not fully aware of the circumstances and information surrounding the investigation and therefore cannot make any further comment.

“I have every confidence in the NRL to professionally conclude the matter.”

HOLIDAY HOMES DESTROYED BY FIRE

Two multi-million dollar properties overlooking Byron Bay’s exclusive Watergo’s Beach have been destroyed by fire overnight.

Both homes were empty at the time but the damage bill is estimated at around $5-million.

VOLUNTEERS TO SEE THE LIGHTHOUSE

Certain jobs come with perks.

A mobile phone, a car, maybe accommodation.

But have you considered volunteering at Cape Byron lighthouse? It has a room with a view.

TEEN FRONTS COURT FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

A 19-year-old Casino woman has fronted court, charged with the attempted murder of a 21-year-old man in northern New South Wales.

It’s alleged she took turns with a 17-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, in stabbing the victim, before rolling him down an embankment.

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