NSW Opposition urges McGurk tape probe

The NSW Opposition is calling for an urgent investigation into claims the murder of
businessman Michael McGurk may be linked to a tape with information damaging to the
state government.
Premier Nathan Rees says he only learnt of the alleged tape when the media contacted
his office for a response.
Sydney entrepreneur Jim Byrnes has said murdered associate Michael McGurk told him
he had a tape recording of a conversation capable of bringing down the NSW
government and was concerned for his life.
Sydney Morning Herald journalist Kate McClymont has said Mr McGurk had told her he
had audio containing revelations about the bribing of state and federal Labor
politicians.
Mr McGurk, 45, was shot dead outside his home in Cranbrook Avenue, Cremorne, on
Sydney's North Shore, about 6.30pm (AEST) on Thursday.
His young son witnessed the killing.
On Saturday, Mr Rees told reporters he only learnt of the corruption tape allegation
when his office was contacted on Friday.
"Yesterday, when the media staff said that the (Sydney Morning) Herald had made
inquiries," Mr Rees told journalists when asked when he found out it.
He would not say if the state government would conduct its own internal
investigation into the supposed tape.
"It's the subject of a police investigation and that's where it should rest," he said.
Mr Rees also said he had no knowledge of any such alleged corrupt behaviour prior to
being informed on Friday.
He reiterated his call for anyone with information to contact the police or the
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said ICAC should act immediately following a
report Mr McGurk's home and office had been burgled recently.
Mr Byrne says both Mr McGurk's office and home had been burgled, presumably by
someone looking for the alleged tape.
"Six weeks ago, his offices were broken into and ransacked and about four weeks ago,
his house was broken into and ransacked," he has told the ABC.
"Somebody has been looking for this tape for some period of time and I understand
the police were notified in both occasions of the break-ins."
Mr O'Farrell said an investigation was needed urgently.
"There are serious allegations that a tape existed alleging corruption with the Rees
government," he told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.
"A man has died and that's why ICAC should get off its backside and investigate this
as a matter of urgency.
"ICAC shouldn't wait. It needs to be pro-active ... so that everyone knows exactly
what went on.
"Every member of the Rees government will be on the phone to each other saying:
`What the hell is this about' and that's more energy that's being wasted and not
being put into fixing the state's problems."
NSW Police Minister Tony Kelly said neither he nor his staff had been briefed on the
McGurk investigation.
"It would be inappropriate for police to provide briefings on this serious, ongoing
criminal investigation," the ABC quoted him as saying.