Alan Jones is no longer just Gloria, but Gloriana, the reigning queen of radio, and the Crikey Bird Watching Team is keeping an ear on Australia’s most powerful shock jock – and, more interestingly, an eye on his recent meetings with NSW Premier Bob Carr.

Who governs New South Wales? Well, the Independent Commission Against
Corruption hearings into the Oasis project provided some interesting clues
last Thursday.

In the dock was one Gary McIntyre, a former director of the Bulldogs Rugby
League Club, who told ICAC about a meeting about the project between
himself, Premier Bob Carr, our feathered friend and two other men, that took
place on August 7, 2000.

“We were hearing that maybe the Oasis project was going to be stopped and we
wanted the opportunity to speak to the Premier personally and explain to him
the enormous benefits of the project,” Mr McIntyre told the Commission.

“The purpose was mainly to enlighten him on a wonderful project and
hopefully he would take this into consideration in the ensuing twelve month
period when he formulated and announced the final gaming reforms,” he said.

And how did they go?

Well, according to McIntyre, Carr was “more interested in hearing what Alan
Jones had to say.”

Oh dear.

From all of us at the bottom of the cage, until next time, goodbye.

ends

Now, let’s look at some earlier Parrot Droppings columns:

ABA goes after the Parrot

It’s understandable that the Parrot mightn’t like official enquiries at the
moment, what with the ABA breathing down the back of his neck and all.

Still, his squawk last Monday over the Canterbury League’s Oasis development
was pretty startling. Claims of million dollar bribes – no matter who makes
them – are fairly serious matters. Not to our feathered friend, however:

“Well an ICAC inquiry opens tomorrow into the so-called Oasis affair.”

“I wonder how much money will be spent on all of this.”

“Rumour being passed off as allegation.”

“A notion that a million dollar donation would go to the ALP if the
Government could give approval for the project.”

“And where did all that come from.”

“I’ve never heard of anything so fanciful in all my life, and yet that’s
going to be the subject of an ICAC probe.”

“Taxpayers’ money wasted pursuing rumours.”

It’s not the first time the Parrot has dismissed the matter. Indeed, at the
very beginning of last month, the Bird-Watching Team felt obliged put this
item in the Crikey Sealed Section:

“It’s been interesting of late to see how the Parrot has sought to play down
the Canterbury Bulldogs breach of the Thugby League salary cap and the
brouhaha over the club’s controversial Oasis pokie palace project – along
with the allegations of impropriety against New South Wales Mineral
Resources and Fisheries Minister Eddie “The Godfather” Obied.”

“Lo and behold, if you visit the – 2GB site – and click
on “Photos”, then “Boston Markets”, then “Alan Jones”, you’ll find some
happy snaps of the Parrot enjoying himself at an OB with Bulldogs stars –
and is that, still at the Markets but under the “Official Launch” header,
the Godfather, too, in the bottom picture in the light blue tie? Eagle-eyed
readers, over to you.”

Over the weekend, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and have
another look at the Parrot’s happy snaps – and guess what?

When one goes through the 2GB photo album for Gloria at Boston Markets the
Bulldogs photos are there – but the shot that grabbed our attention is gone.

How very interesting. Were we right?

From all of us at the bottom of the cage, until next time, goodbye.

The Crikey Bird Watching Team can be contacted at
hillarybray@crikey.com.au