Former footy star turns star Scientology witness. Chris Guider was a Sydney sporting star in the 1980s, with a brilliant rugby league career as captain of St George. Then he signed a $1 billion year contract with Scientology’s Sea Org in the US. Now he’s turning star witness against the so-called church — spiritual home to James Packer and Tom Cruise — which harboured him for more than two decades.

On ABC TV’s Lateline last night, Guider king hit the Church’s American leader, David Miscavige, calling him “toxic”, “violent” and unfit to lead a religious organisation. Guider should know what he’s talking about. He worked in Miscavige’s guard of honour and was one of the organisation’s most senior auditors. He was also an OTV, or Operating Thetan, level 5. — Paul Barry (read the rest)

Coles chief our biggest dollar dazzler. You might remember the supermarket price war between Coles and its rival Woolworths (and if you saw the ads, how could you forget). Well, the strategy paid off. And Coles boss Ian McLeod is reaping the red spot specials to the tune of $11.1 million.

Coles supermarkets has rewarded its high-performing CEO with the enormous bonus, after the Scotsman delivered on a stunning turnaround of the grocery chain. The bonus, when added on top of McLeod’s regular take home salary, increases his total remuneration package to $15.63 million; making him the country’s highest paid executive. McLeod, who was brought in from the UK in 2008 to revive the ailing chain, elected to take the long-term incentive bonus in cash, instead of shares (probably a wise decision given the current state of the market). — Tom Cowie (read the rest)

Madonna King quits ABC radio gig. ABC Brisbane mornings host Madonna King will hang up the headphones in October after six years hosting the agenda-setting program. King announced on air this morning that she is quitting so that she can spend more time with her two young children and her husband, The Courier-Mail editor David Fagan. Her last broadcast will be on October 21.

“It’s something I have been thinking about for a while, probably even since the beginning of the year,” she said. “I want to develop another career … it will revolve around journalism, moderating conferences and writing another book.” — Matthew Knott (read the rest)