The lurid South Australian paedophilia allegations against senior
politicians and police are the subject of stern editorials in both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian today – and is another side to the story about to break?

The last twist in the convoluted tale came on Sunday when one of the
key figures behind the story, Craig Ratcliff, told Channel 7 that he
had “made a mistake”, that his allegations that a serving politician
was involved in illegal sexual conduct on a notorious Adelaide beat
were “a case of mistaken identity”, that he “saw the guy in the park
last weekend. I called out to him but he took off. I’ve tracked him
down and (the likeness) is very close, just the hair colour is
different.” Cue chaos. And massive recriminations.

Stay tuned for more. This matter has been based on rumour and innuendo
– rumour and innuendo that has tested the integrity of key institutions
in an open and democratic society like the parliament. Now the rumour
and innuendo is targeting the media. Has Ratcliff received any money
from journalists? That’s the latest question on the streets of Adelaide.