eAdelaide

. THE former Roads and Traffic Authority head Paul Forward wants the State Government to sell the M4 toll road, which could raise as much as $2 billion, as well as slap a toll on the M5 East - and scrap the cashback scheme for western Sydney motorists. Money raised from these moves could be used to fund transport upgrades, especially since NSW did poorly in garnering financial support for infrastructure projects in the recent federal budget. ...

. THE Australian mother Annice Smoel has been released from detention in Thailand for stealing a bar towel, according to in Phuket. The Phuket Wan website said last night Ms Smoel, who faced five years in jail, was given a six-month suspended jail term and a 1000 baht ($38) fine for theft. ...

. THE Tax Office has been attacked in an official report for doing a substandard job at preventing and catching the worst white-collar tax dodgers. In a sweeping review of how the Tax Office manages "serious non-compliance", the Australian National Audit Office yesterday said the tax agency had considerable scope to lift its game in deterring, tracking and prosecuting tax fraud and evasion....

. THE University of Sydney will defer building projects after incurring a $160 million operating loss last year, due largely to the huge hit it took on its investments. The university's miserable year saw 23 per cent wiped off its $1. Income generated by the portfolio also fell by $75 million.15 billion investment holdings by turmoil in the world's financial markets. ...

. THE Rudd Government is under pressure to conduct an independent audit of politicians' entitlements following revelations there is no record kept of the $8 million-a-year electorate allowance paid to MPs. An investigation by the Herald has discovered no official agency monitors how much of the $32,000 allowance is kept as income by MPs, how much is spent on voters or what it is spent on. But they can also keep some or all of it as taxable income. ...