Good morning and welcome to the Morning Buzz for Monday, May 22. It is set to be mostly sunny today, with tops of 22 degrees across the city.
Here’s what’s making news this morning.
Motorists could be paying less for petrol soon
Price matching, loyalty schemes and special offers – the growth of petrol price comparison tools is set to dramatically change the way motorists shop for petrol in a few years.
NSW Finance Minister Victor Dominello, who launched the FuelCheck website last year, said car and software companies have been contacting the government, eager to integrate the real-time data feeds into their car computer systems.
He said in the short term, the direct feeds would allow cars to display a list of cheap petrol deals in the driver's vicinity. Read more (SMH)
The luxury properties linked to the ATO scandal
A $20 million office block in Surry Hills, a Vaucluse mansion and a hobby farm in the Hunter Region have been frozen by order of the NSW Supreme Court as investigators attempt to claw back $165 million allegedly skimmed from the tax office.
Several properties owned by the alleged architects of the massive tax fraud are the subject of restraining orders, including the Bondi apartment of Adam Cranston, 30, and a $2.4 million Vaucluse home purchased by a company owned by Cranston and businessman and former television sports commentator Jason Onley last year. Read more.
Explosion, sparks from engine, as Melbourne-bound flight aborted
More than 300 passengers stranded in Los Angeles airport after their Qantas flight to Melbourne was aborted on Saturday night were supplied a pillow and a blanket and told to sleep in the terminal during their 12-hour wait.
The wife of a Melbourne man on board the plane said only a third of the flight's 500 passengers were offered a hotel room.
The others were given a blanket, a pillow and food vouchers and told to get some sleep while they waited for a replacement flight. Read more (SMH)
Transurban to get paid if trucks use NorthConnex motorway, and if they don't
The private operator of Sydney's NorthConnex motorway below Pennant Hills Road will receive compensation from the government if too few trucks use the tunnel.
But the government will not say how many trucks are required to use the NorthConnex tunnel before compensation will be paid, nor how much toll-road company Transurban might receive in compensation.
The state government has said that when NorthConnex opens in 2019, it will fine trucks that avoid the toll-road by running on the surface roads but do not have a reason to do so. Read more (SMH)
Boy, 12, charged following alleged Waterloo stabbing
A 12-year-old boy has been charged following the alleged stabbing of another child in inner Sydney on Saturday.
Police say that about 12.15pm emergency services were called to a property on John Street, Waterloo.
The paramedics treated a 10-year-old boy with a laceration to his torso.
He was taken to Prince of Wales Children's Hospital in a stable condition. Read more (SMH)
Nathan Peats to make State of Origin debut
Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats has been called into NSW camp and is in line to make his Origin debut after Peter Wallace's dreams of a representative rendezvous were shattered in Newcastle on Sunday.
Fairfax Media understands Peats will fly into Sydney on Monday to link up with the rest of his NSW teammates, likely to be joined by either Jake Trbojevic or Jordan McLean as one of two debutants in the Blues team for game one.
It is also understood veteran Brett Morris has earned a recall to the Blues team at the expense of youngster Tom Trbojevic, whose knee and ankle injuries cost him his debut on the wing for NSW. Read more (SMH)
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Anthony Milford destined for Queensland start
Brisbane's Anthony Milford stands to make his State of Origin debut with Maroons superstar Jonathan Thurston next to no chance of playing in the series opener next Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Fairfax Media understands Thurston's run of 36 consecutive Origin appearances for the Maroons will almost certainly come to an end, with Milford the man destined to step into his shoes.
A shoulder injury has kept the Cowboys star out of club football and while Queensland coach Kevin Walters had been hopeful his five-eighth would recover in time, the clock may have run out. Read more (SMH)
Cronulla Sharks sign Josh Dugan on four-year deal
The debate over whether Josh Dugan is a fullback or a centre will be determined by Cronulla after the representative star signed a four-year, $3 million deal with the premiers from next season.
The Sharks confirmed the signing on Saturday after Dugan fell out with St George Illawarra officials, who appeared to be at odds over his best position and subsequent market worth.
Dugan has been playing fullback for the Dragons, although NSW and Australian selectors have picked him into the centres. Read more.
Giants storm home to defeat Richmond
Giants coach Leon Cameron concedes Richmond should've won Saturday night's three-point thriller at Spotless Stadium, where a last-minute Jeremy Cameron goal broke Tiger hearts once again.
Cameron converted on the run from 50m out after a booming Nathan Wilson kick in, which followed a recalled Shai Bolton behind that originally looked like the winning goal for the visiting Tigers.
Bolton's snap was called a goal but a late review showed debutant Harry Perryman managed to get a finger on the ball to save the Giants.
Moments later Cameron goaled to put the home side in front for the only time in the match, before 10,677 delirious fans at Spotless Stadium. Read more (SMH)