ROCK STAR'S CALL TO TOKE BEYOND A JOKE

A COUNTRY publican has refused to pay rising Australian singer diana Ah naid
after she called on the crowd to "light up a joint" during a performance.

Shawne McKenna, the owner-licensee of Oakes Hotel in Lismore in northern New
South Wales, described Ah naid's call as disgraceful.

"Her performance on the night was not befitting a person who deserves to
receive any remuneration," Mr McKenna said.

Mr McKenna said the unusually spelt diana, who hails from Australia's
unofficial drug capital Nimbin, told the crowd at a performance two months
ago to, "... light up a joint and get going".

"My liquor licence states that I must obey by the rules of the law and at
this stage marijuana is still illegal and can't be condoned or consumed on
the premises," Mr McKenna said.

"I'm not a rabble rouser but I have a policy of zero drug tolerance."

Ah naid, 23, rose to prominence in 1997 with the top 40 hit I Go Off, which
received extensive airplay on ABC radio station Triple J.

She has just released her second album, I Don't Think I'm Pregnant, with the
independent label Origin Records.

The singer/songwriter was not available to comment because of sickness but
Origin Records boss Philip Mortlock confirmed Ah naid was notified a few
weeks after the performance that she would not be paid.

He said it was not unusual for Ah naid to make the call to the crowd but
believed the incident had been blown out of proportion.

"She's not shy in making reference to marijuana," Mr Mortlock said.

"But she doesn't want to be seen as promoting its use.

"I think the problem came because she wasn't notified by the agent about the
hotel's policy."

Mr McKenna said since his stance was made public he had received only
positive responses.

"The majority of the population is looking for somewhere where they can go
and be safe," he said.