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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
All square as Indiana Pacers roll past Thunder
Season on the line, the Indiana Pacers did what they've done time and time again. They bucked the odds. And the NBA Finals are going to an ultimate game. Obi Toppin scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard added 17 and the Pacers forced a winner-take-all Game 7 by rolling past the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 on Thursday night. The first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City. "The ultimate game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, while Tyrese Haliburton, playing through a strained calf, scored 14 points. The Pacers started slowly and then turned things into a blowout. Game 6 was a microcosm of Indiana's season in a way. The Pacers started the regular season with 15 losses in 25 games, have had five comebacks from 15 or more down to win games in these playoffs, and they're one win from a title. "We just wanted to protect home court," Haliburton said. "We didn't want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor. Backs against the wall and we just responded. ... Total team effort." TJ McConnell, the spark off the bench again, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Indiana. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for the Thunder, who pulled their starters after getting down by 30 going into the fourth. Jalen Williams added 16. "Credit Indiana," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes. They went out there and attacked the game." Good news for the Thunder: home teams are 15-4 in finals in Game 7s. Bad news for the Thunder: Cleveland won at Golden State in the most recent of those and one of the three other home-team losses was in 1978 - by Seattle, the franchise that would move to Oklahoma City three decades later. Indiana missed their first eight shots and got down 10-2. The arena, roaring just a few minutes before at the start, quieted quickly. After the slow start, the Pacers outscored the Thunder 68-32 over the next 24 minutes. An Indiana team that hadn't led by more than 10 points at any time in the first five games - and that double-digit lead was brief - led by 28 early in the third quarter. The margin eventually got to 31, which was Oklahoma City's second-biggest deficit of the season. The worst also came in these playoffs: a 45-point hole against Minnesota in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder came back to win that series, obviously, and now will need that bounce-back ability one more time. "Obviously, it was a very poor performance by us," Daigneault said. The Thunder, desperate for a spark, put Alex Caruso in the starting lineup in place of Isaiah Hartenstein to open the second half. There was no spark. In fact, there was nothing whatsoever - neither team scored in the first 3:53 after halftime, the sides combining to miss their first 13 shots of the third quarter. And the outcome was never in doubt. Season on the line, the Indiana Pacers did what they've done time and time again. They bucked the odds. And the NBA Finals are going to an ultimate game. Obi Toppin scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard added 17 and the Pacers forced a winner-take-all Game 7 by rolling past the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 on Thursday night. The first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City. "The ultimate game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, while Tyrese Haliburton, playing through a strained calf, scored 14 points. The Pacers started slowly and then turned things into a blowout. Game 6 was a microcosm of Indiana's season in a way. The Pacers started the regular season with 15 losses in 25 games, have had five comebacks from 15 or more down to win games in these playoffs, and they're one win from a title. "We just wanted to protect home court," Haliburton said. "We didn't want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor. Backs against the wall and we just responded. ... Total team effort." TJ McConnell, the spark off the bench again, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Indiana. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for the Thunder, who pulled their starters after getting down by 30 going into the fourth. Jalen Williams added 16. "Credit Indiana," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes. They went out there and attacked the game." Good news for the Thunder: home teams are 15-4 in finals in Game 7s. Bad news for the Thunder: Cleveland won at Golden State in the most recent of those and one of the three other home-team losses was in 1978 - by Seattle, the franchise that would move to Oklahoma City three decades later. Indiana missed their first eight shots and got down 10-2. The arena, roaring just a few minutes before at the start, quieted quickly. After the slow start, the Pacers outscored the Thunder 68-32 over the next 24 minutes. An Indiana team that hadn't led by more than 10 points at any time in the first five games - and that double-digit lead was brief - led by 28 early in the third quarter. The margin eventually got to 31, which was Oklahoma City's second-biggest deficit of the season. The worst also came in these playoffs: a 45-point hole against Minnesota in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder came back to win that series, obviously, and now will need that bounce-back ability one more time. "Obviously, it was a very poor performance by us," Daigneault said. The Thunder, desperate for a spark, put Alex Caruso in the starting lineup in place of Isaiah Hartenstein to open the second half. There was no spark. In fact, there was nothing whatsoever - neither team scored in the first 3:53 after halftime, the sides combining to miss their first 13 shots of the third quarter. And the outcome was never in doubt. Season on the line, the Indiana Pacers did what they've done time and time again. They bucked the odds. And the NBA Finals are going to an ultimate game. Obi Toppin scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard added 17 and the Pacers forced a winner-take-all Game 7 by rolling past the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 on Thursday night. The first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City. "The ultimate game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, while Tyrese Haliburton, playing through a strained calf, scored 14 points. The Pacers started slowly and then turned things into a blowout. Game 6 was a microcosm of Indiana's season in a way. The Pacers started the regular season with 15 losses in 25 games, have had five comebacks from 15 or more down to win games in these playoffs, and they're one win from a title. "We just wanted to protect home court," Haliburton said. "We didn't want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor. Backs against the wall and we just responded. ... Total team effort." TJ McConnell, the spark off the bench again, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Indiana. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for the Thunder, who pulled their starters after getting down by 30 going into the fourth. Jalen Williams added 16. "Credit Indiana," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes. They went out there and attacked the game." Good news for the Thunder: home teams are 15-4 in finals in Game 7s. Bad news for the Thunder: Cleveland won at Golden State in the most recent of those and one of the three other home-team losses was in 1978 - by Seattle, the franchise that would move to Oklahoma City three decades later. Indiana missed their first eight shots and got down 10-2. The arena, roaring just a few minutes before at the start, quieted quickly. After the slow start, the Pacers outscored the Thunder 68-32 over the next 24 minutes. An Indiana team that hadn't led by more than 10 points at any time in the first five games - and that double-digit lead was brief - led by 28 early in the third quarter. The margin eventually got to 31, which was Oklahoma City's second-biggest deficit of the season. The worst also came in these playoffs: a 45-point hole against Minnesota in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder came back to win that series, obviously, and now will need that bounce-back ability one more time. "Obviously, it was a very poor performance by us," Daigneault said. The Thunder, desperate for a spark, put Alex Caruso in the starting lineup in place of Isaiah Hartenstein to open the second half. There was no spark. In fact, there was nothing whatsoever - neither team scored in the first 3:53 after halftime, the sides combining to miss their first 13 shots of the third quarter. And the outcome was never in doubt. Season on the line, the Indiana Pacers did what they've done time and time again. They bucked the odds. And the NBA Finals are going to an ultimate game. Obi Toppin scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard added 17 and the Pacers forced a winner-take-all Game 7 by rolling past the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 on Thursday night. The first Game 7 in the NBA Finals since 2016 is Sunday night in Oklahoma City. "The ultimate game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. Pascal Siakam had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, while Tyrese Haliburton, playing through a strained calf, scored 14 points. The Pacers started slowly and then turned things into a blowout. Game 6 was a microcosm of Indiana's season in a way. The Pacers started the regular season with 15 losses in 25 games, have had five comebacks from 15 or more down to win games in these playoffs, and they're one win from a title. "We just wanted to protect home court," Haliburton said. "We didn't want to see these guys celebrate a championship on our home floor. Backs against the wall and we just responded. ... Total team effort." TJ McConnell, the spark off the bench again, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Indiana. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points for the Thunder, who pulled their starters after getting down by 30 going into the fourth. Jalen Williams added 16. "Credit Indiana," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "They earned the win. They outplayed us for most of the 48 minutes. They went out there and attacked the game." Good news for the Thunder: home teams are 15-4 in finals in Game 7s. Bad news for the Thunder: Cleveland won at Golden State in the most recent of those and one of the three other home-team losses was in 1978 - by Seattle, the franchise that would move to Oklahoma City three decades later. Indiana missed their first eight shots and got down 10-2. The arena, roaring just a few minutes before at the start, quieted quickly. After the slow start, the Pacers outscored the Thunder 68-32 over the next 24 minutes. An Indiana team that hadn't led by more than 10 points at any time in the first five games - and that double-digit lead was brief - led by 28 early in the third quarter. The margin eventually got to 31, which was Oklahoma City's second-biggest deficit of the season. The worst also came in these playoffs: a 45-point hole against Minnesota in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder came back to win that series, obviously, and now will need that bounce-back ability one more time. "Obviously, it was a very poor performance by us," Daigneault said. The Thunder, desperate for a spark, put Alex Caruso in the starting lineup in place of Isaiah Hartenstein to open the second half. There was no spark. In fact, there was nothing whatsoever - neither team scored in the first 3:53 after halftime, the sides combining to miss their first 13 shots of the third quarter. And the outcome was never in doubt.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Liberal leader's unity call after $1.5m party bailout
A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern. A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern. A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern. A state Liberal leader is defending a million-dollar bailout to save his predecessor's political career and reunite his fractured party. The Victorian Liberals' administrative committee on Thursday night agreed to lend former leader John Pesutto $1.55 million to settle legal costs owed to first-term MP Moira Deeming. Opposition Leader Brad Battin voted to support the deal, with the money to be paid directly to Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto set to repay it at market-rate interest. Mr Battin denied he had effectively chosen to side with Mr Pesutto in his defamation dispute with Mrs Deeming, which has engulfed the party since March 2023. "I would say anyone that states that is factually wrong," he told reporters on Friday. "My side is on the Victorian Liberal Party to ensure we can put a line in the sand and move forward." Mr Pesutto was ordered to pay $2.3 million in legal costs to Mrs Deeming after the Federal Court found he defamed her by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis. It left him facing bankruptcy, which would have triggered his exit from parliament and a subsequent by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn, unless the debt was paid by the end of July. Mr Pesutto, who has already coughed up $315,000 in damages, had only raised about $750,000 through wealthy backers and a GoFundMe campaign. The loan for the remainder of the money is not drawn from party campaign or taxpayer funds. Political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the party had "dodged a bullet" by avoiding a politically dangerous by-election. He said the public episode demonstrated deep divisions within the Liberals' parliamentary ranks and could have consequences at the ballot box. "All political parties have divisions ... but it's really important that the party appears united," the Monash University political lecturer told AAP. "I'm reminded of the line that Bob Hawke used in the lead up to the 1990 election that 'if you can't govern yourselves, you can't govern the country'." Dr Ghazarian said Mr Battin and the party had "plenty of time" to mend fences before the November 2026 election, but could not afford more internal spotfires. The next potential hiccup could come during candidate preselections, expected to start in September. Mr Battin plans to speak with his colleagues to stress the need to present a credible alternative to the Victorian Labor government, in power for all but four years since 1999. "I am confident we'll be going to the next election with a united team," he said. "Victorians are sick of the Liberal Party talking about the Liberal Party." Mrs Deeming, who was expelled from the Liberal party room over the furore before returning in December, did not appear to subscribe to Mr Battin's unity message. She compared her treatment to victims of institutional abuse. "They failed to protect her when she was attacked," Mrs Deeming posted. "They punished her for defending herself ... this is what institutional abuse looks like." Mr Battin said he would speak to Mrs Deeming, but refused to comment on the substance of her post. An offer to defer some of Mr Pesutto's legal bill in exchange for Mrs Deeming's guaranteed preselection and him swearing off trying to return as leader for three years was rejected. The proposed deal led to a complaint to the state's corruption watchdog, but Mrs Deeming denied claims of blackmail. Mr Pesutto said he was grateful and humbled by the committee's decision. "I am totally committed to continuing my work as the member for Hawthorn and also serving as a member of Brad's team," he said in a statement. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was similarly relieved for Mr Pesutto and his family, but argued the "never-ending schoolyard spat" showed the Liberals were unfit to govern.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Most awful video': Hunter Olympian suspended, being investigated for animal cruelty
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.' The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has opened an investigation into the actions of Hunter dressage rider and Olympic Heath Ryan after allegations of horse cruelty were reported. Ryan was suspended by Equestrian Australia (EA) on June 13 after a video appearing to show him whipping a horse surfaced on social media. The video is understood to have been taken two years ago. Ryan, who competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, released a lengthy statement on social media defending his actions, saying he had saved the six-year-old horse from being destroyed after it attacked its owner. Equestrian Australia and the FEI have imposed a provisional suspension against the 66-year-old while the investigation is ongoing. "The scenes depicted are profoundly disturbing and stand in stark opposition to the core values of FEI horse welfare," FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibez said. "The FEI has opened an investigation to thoroughly examine all the facts and determine further disciplinary action under the FEI Rules and Regulations. "We are committed to ensuring that any behaviour which puts horse welfare at risk is dealt with firmly and fairly." Equestrian Australia chief executive Sam Jones welcomed the FEI's investigation. "It is both appropriate and welcome that FEI leads the investigation of this matter," Jones said. "Equestrian Australia remains extremely concerned about the incident and allegations, and we will support the FEI in any way we can. "We know our community is keen for answers, but we would ask for patience as the FEI rightly follows a thorough and fair process, in line with their policies and procedures." The provisional suspension means Ryan can take no part in FEI or EA competitions or events as competitor or official. In echoes of the incident that resulted in six-times Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin being barred from the Paris Games last year, the two-year-old video showed the horse being whipped repeatedly. Ryan, who was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017, defended his actions in a post to social media on June 12. "The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery," he wrote. Ryan added: "I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable ... and had never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video." Ryan said the video had been placed online by an "unhappy ex-employee" and posted another which he said showed the horse thriving in a new home. "If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to [it] and asking the hard questions," he wrote. Ryan concluded: "All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission." After last year's Dujardin ban, the global governing body for showjumping and dressage pledged it would be uncompromising in enforcing animal welfare. The Herald has reached out to Ryan for comment. 'Oh my goodness! The most awful video of me on a young horse has just surfaced. This horse was dropped off at my place on his way to the knackery. His name is Nico. He was 6 years of age. A beautiful type. He was genetically a result of my best stallions all of which were successful in Grand Prix dressage, so Nico was beautifully bred. Nico belonged to a wonderful family friend who had been put in hospital in intensive care by Nico. Prior to this really bad accident Nico had always been a problem child and would just stop. This gradually got worse and worse until the accident. The owner of Nico and my friend is a diminutive lady and 100% not capable of being physically aggressive in any way. Nico before he came to me always had the best of best homes. He wanted for nothing. He was in wonderful condition, he was always rugged, he had his own paddock, he was regularly ridden and he was loved. Here is the question. If a beautiful 6yo horse turns up at your facility and it was bred by your stallion and it belonged to a lifelong friend of yours who had been put in hospital in intensive care by this horse would you just send it to the Knackery?? Well I didn't and I felt obliged to the horse to just have a look and see if it was possibly salvageable. Well did I get a shock and so the video. I have never ridden anything like it. I am so sad this was caught on video. If I had been thinking of myself I would have immediately just gotten off and sent Nico to the Knackery. That video was a life or death moment for Nico and of that I was very aware. I felt I genuinely had to try my very hardest to see if Nico would consider other options. Anyway by the end of that initial ride I did feel Nico was responding. I rode Nico for another couple of days and he responded very well and started to go without the use of excessive driving aids. I then called up another friend of mine who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider who is always watching out for a special horse but has very limited resources. I disclosed the whole story but said that I thought if Nico could find the right home I thought he was a good horse and maybe a very good horse. So Nico went to a new home. Well it turned out to be brilliant and the posted video is Nico thriving in a loving and competitive home with an exciting future. All of this transpired sincerely with the horses best interests the sole consideration. Unbelievably it was so successful for everyone except me with the release of this video. What can I say. If you think I did that flippantly you are wrong. I hated reaching out in those moments to Nico and asking the hard questions. That was the last place I wanted to be. I have never before ridden a horse that reacted like that and I certainly will never do it again. Was it worth it?? Well not for me however I am very happy for Nico. I need to add that this happened about 2 years ago and the video has been posted by an unhappy ex employee. All I can say is that this awful video was collateral damage of me from the bottom of my heart launching a rescue mission. Heath.'
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Ex-TV star asks to be spared conviction for Nazi salute
An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections. An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections. An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections. An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Astronomical' mess prompts hospital insurance plan
Any compensation paid for a hospital's early return to public hands will likely only acknowledge the collapsed private operator's investment rather than rewarding its failures. Private equity-backed Healthscope's parent company appointed receivers in May, which the NSW government believes has opened the door to terminate a contract covering Sydney's beleaguered Northern Beaches Hospital. The hospital was slated to remain privately operated until 2038. Two-year-old Joe Massa died after he and his parents spent three hours waiting in the emergency department there in September, prompting the government to outlaw similar private-public partnerships in the future. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced on Friday the government would amend a crossbencher's bill to provide a way out of the contract without activating provisions that could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars Under the new provision, the final bill would be determined independently if an agreement could not be reached. "Our preferred outcome is an agreed settlement and an agreed departure," Mr Mookhey told reporters on Friday. "The northern beaches community deserves certainty around time, and equally the people of NSW need to know that we're not rewarding private equity and nor are we rewarding distressed debt buyers, who have turned up in the last four to five weeks with massive public cheques." Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina told AAP the company was not seeking any windfall gain in proposing to return the public hospital's operation in April. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman told reporters the government should reveal how much Healthscope is seeking. "A contract has been signed and governments should honour those contracts, but we'll see what it is the government has proposed." Before receivers were appointed, local MP Michael Regan introduced a bill in the NSW parliament providing a path to terminate the contract without paying compensation. Terminating the contract without compensation could damage the state's reputation for future contracting and lead to potential drawn-out legal challenges that could delay a resolution. "It is a consideration and we do want to demonstrate to people that we are very conscientious and we're very careful about how we handle situations like this," Mr Mookhey told AAP on Friday. Healthscope also contributed to building the hospital with the expectation it would get that money back through private patient care. "So fair's fair in that respect," Mr Mookhey said. Health Minister Ryan Park said the government was trying to clean up an "astronomical" mess created by a partnership it never supported. "It has meant big impacts on services for families ... and we are determined as a government to do what we can to address this issue." Healthscope operates 37 facilities across Australia. The federal government has ruled out footing the bill, but banks have stepped in to provide loans and assistance to receivers attempting to sell the business. Any compensation paid for a hospital's early return to public hands will likely only acknowledge the collapsed private operator's investment rather than rewarding its failures. Private equity-backed Healthscope's parent company appointed receivers in May, which the NSW government believes has opened the door to terminate a contract covering Sydney's beleaguered Northern Beaches Hospital. The hospital was slated to remain privately operated until 2038. Two-year-old Joe Massa died after he and his parents spent three hours waiting in the emergency department there in September, prompting the government to outlaw similar private-public partnerships in the future. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced on Friday the government would amend a crossbencher's bill to provide a way out of the contract without activating provisions that could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars Under the new provision, the final bill would be determined independently if an agreement could not be reached. "Our preferred outcome is an agreed settlement and an agreed departure," Mr Mookhey told reporters on Friday. "The northern beaches community deserves certainty around time, and equally the people of NSW need to know that we're not rewarding private equity and nor are we rewarding distressed debt buyers, who have turned up in the last four to five weeks with massive public cheques." Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina told AAP the company was not seeking any windfall gain in proposing to return the public hospital's operation in April. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman told reporters the government should reveal how much Healthscope is seeking. "A contract has been signed and governments should honour those contracts, but we'll see what it is the government has proposed." Before receivers were appointed, local MP Michael Regan introduced a bill in the NSW parliament providing a path to terminate the contract without paying compensation. Terminating the contract without compensation could damage the state's reputation for future contracting and lead to potential drawn-out legal challenges that could delay a resolution. "It is a consideration and we do want to demonstrate to people that we are very conscientious and we're very careful about how we handle situations like this," Mr Mookhey told AAP on Friday. Healthscope also contributed to building the hospital with the expectation it would get that money back through private patient care. "So fair's fair in that respect," Mr Mookhey said. Health Minister Ryan Park said the government was trying to clean up an "astronomical" mess created by a partnership it never supported. "It has meant big impacts on services for families ... and we are determined as a government to do what we can to address this issue." Healthscope operates 37 facilities across Australia. The federal government has ruled out footing the bill, but banks have stepped in to provide loans and assistance to receivers attempting to sell the business. Any compensation paid for a hospital's early return to public hands will likely only acknowledge the collapsed private operator's investment rather than rewarding its failures. Private equity-backed Healthscope's parent company appointed receivers in May, which the NSW government believes has opened the door to terminate a contract covering Sydney's beleaguered Northern Beaches Hospital. The hospital was slated to remain privately operated until 2038. Two-year-old Joe Massa died after he and his parents spent three hours waiting in the emergency department there in September, prompting the government to outlaw similar private-public partnerships in the future. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced on Friday the government would amend a crossbencher's bill to provide a way out of the contract without activating provisions that could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars Under the new provision, the final bill would be determined independently if an agreement could not be reached. "Our preferred outcome is an agreed settlement and an agreed departure," Mr Mookhey told reporters on Friday. "The northern beaches community deserves certainty around time, and equally the people of NSW need to know that we're not rewarding private equity and nor are we rewarding distressed debt buyers, who have turned up in the last four to five weeks with massive public cheques." Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina told AAP the company was not seeking any windfall gain in proposing to return the public hospital's operation in April. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman told reporters the government should reveal how much Healthscope is seeking. "A contract has been signed and governments should honour those contracts, but we'll see what it is the government has proposed." Before receivers were appointed, local MP Michael Regan introduced a bill in the NSW parliament providing a path to terminate the contract without paying compensation. Terminating the contract without compensation could damage the state's reputation for future contracting and lead to potential drawn-out legal challenges that could delay a resolution. "It is a consideration and we do want to demonstrate to people that we are very conscientious and we're very careful about how we handle situations like this," Mr Mookhey told AAP on Friday. Healthscope also contributed to building the hospital with the expectation it would get that money back through private patient care. "So fair's fair in that respect," Mr Mookhey said. Health Minister Ryan Park said the government was trying to clean up an "astronomical" mess created by a partnership it never supported. "It has meant big impacts on services for families ... and we are determined as a government to do what we can to address this issue." Healthscope operates 37 facilities across Australia. The federal government has ruled out footing the bill, but banks have stepped in to provide loans and assistance to receivers attempting to sell the business. Any compensation paid for a hospital's early return to public hands will likely only acknowledge the collapsed private operator's investment rather than rewarding its failures. Private equity-backed Healthscope's parent company appointed receivers in May, which the NSW government believes has opened the door to terminate a contract covering Sydney's beleaguered Northern Beaches Hospital. The hospital was slated to remain privately operated until 2038. Two-year-old Joe Massa died after he and his parents spent three hours waiting in the emergency department there in September, prompting the government to outlaw similar private-public partnerships in the future. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced on Friday the government would amend a crossbencher's bill to provide a way out of the contract without activating provisions that could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars Under the new provision, the final bill would be determined independently if an agreement could not be reached. "Our preferred outcome is an agreed settlement and an agreed departure," Mr Mookhey told reporters on Friday. "The northern beaches community deserves certainty around time, and equally the people of NSW need to know that we're not rewarding private equity and nor are we rewarding distressed debt buyers, who have turned up in the last four to five weeks with massive public cheques." Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina told AAP the company was not seeking any windfall gain in proposing to return the public hospital's operation in April. Opposition Leader Mark Speakman told reporters the government should reveal how much Healthscope is seeking. "A contract has been signed and governments should honour those contracts, but we'll see what it is the government has proposed." Before receivers were appointed, local MP Michael Regan introduced a bill in the NSW parliament providing a path to terminate the contract without paying compensation. Terminating the contract without compensation could damage the state's reputation for future contracting and lead to potential drawn-out legal challenges that could delay a resolution. "It is a consideration and we do want to demonstrate to people that we are very conscientious and we're very careful about how we handle situations like this," Mr Mookhey told AAP on Friday. Healthscope also contributed to building the hospital with the expectation it would get that money back through private patient care. "So fair's fair in that respect," Mr Mookhey said. Health Minister Ryan Park said the government was trying to clean up an "astronomical" mess created by a partnership it never supported. "It has meant big impacts on services for families ... and we are determined as a government to do what we can to address this issue." Healthscope operates 37 facilities across Australia. The federal government has ruled out footing the bill, but banks have stepped in to provide loans and assistance to receivers attempting to sell the business.
