Politician shot dead in Australia

SYDNEY (Reuter) - A politician known as an outspoken critic of Asian crime gangs was shot dead outside his home in Sydney yesterday. Police said John Newman, 49, a Labor member of the New South Wales parliament, was murdered in the largely Vietnamese suburb of Cabramatta, in the west of the city. Neighbours said they heard three shots then saw an unlit car drive off. Violent crime is a serious issue in the area. Police said it was not known if Newman's wife, Xiao Jing, was with him at the time of the shooting. The couple had been married a few months.