Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein could already be dead or badly injured, according to Colin McPhedran whose journalist son Ian has been expelled from Baghdad.

A former Southern Highland News cadet reporter, Ian McPhedran was writing daily reports from the Iraqi capital for his employer News Limited until his sudden ejection on Tuesday for venturing outside without his minder.

After speaking to his son by telephone from neighbouring Amman in Jordan, Mr McPhedran said Ian had told him Saddam's fate could have been sealed on the very first night of bombings.

Fresh doubts have emerged over the wellbeing of Saddam after he failed to appear on television this week to address the Iraqi people.

"After the first strike, Ian told me he had a strange feeling from talking to people that something big had happened," Mr McPhedran said.

"He didn't report it because he couldn't firm it up but he definitely got the impression that Saddam had either been injured or killed."

Mr McPhedran said his son had told him that the mood of the Iraqi people and the notorious officials from the Information Ministry had changed for the worse during the past few days as the bombing raids intensified.

"He said they were very friendly at first but the mood changed in recent days as they increasingly directed their anger towards the Coalition forces," he said.

"He was actually complemented by the Iraqis for his fair reporting as Ian does likes to cover the human side in many of his stories."

Following his ejection from the country, Mr McPhedran said his son was making plans to return to Baghdad at the earliest opportunity, hopefully when the Coalition wins control of the city.

"The family are obviously pleased that he is safe and well but we try not to display that pleasure because Ian, being a journalist, is naturally disappointed that he can't still be there with many of his friends," he said.

"He was waiting for a guide to turn up at a designated time but the guy didn't turn up so he went to inspect a bombed-out building on his own.

"When he returned, he was berated by an Iraqi official and he pleaded with them to be allowed to stay but they confiscated all his equipment and ordered him to leave.

"He actually told me he felt far safer in Baghdad than either East Timor or Afghanistan as he was far better protected and the Iraqis are a fairly civilised mob."