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#9048632 at 2020-05-06 09:38:53 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #7 - FIRE & FURY Edition

Resignations in the news

Rugby Australia plunged into more turmoil after Peter Wiggs exit

Rugby Australia's boardroom dramas have amplified with Peter Wiggs tendering his resignation after a heated email exchange with interim chairman Paul McLean.

Touted as RA's next chairman, Wiggs had been pushing for the immediate installment of Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll as departed chief executive Raelene Castle's replacement.

In an email exchange published by The Australian on Wednesday, McLean entertained Carroll's appointment.

However, citing a conflict of interest because of Wiggs' friendship with Carroll, McLean suggested Wiggs remain in a director role.

Instead he proposed incoming board member Hamish McLennan, a former Ten boss and News Corp senior executive, a more suitable chairman.

Fellow board members had also reportedly pushed back on the move that would have skipped any formal recruitment or interview process.

Supercars chairman Wiggs, credited for steering RA's player pay-cut deal during his brief RA posting, replied by saying what little regard he had for the board had "extinguished" and he would resign on Wednesday.

Confirming Wiggs had done just that, McLean said he "understood his reasons" for departing.

"He has undertaken some very important work and has made a valuable contribution to the organisation, in a very short time, and we are thankful for his contribution," McLean, who is also RA's acting chief executive, said.

"The immediate priority of the board is to install a replacement for Peter, and an interim chief executive."

It's another setback as the cash-strapped organisation navigates a way back to the field while trying to arrange a new broadcast deal.

It is hoped a domestic Super Rugby season could return in July, while a Bledisloe Cup series remains a prospect later this year.

But RA, awaiting rescue funds from World Rugby, faces a potential revenue hit of $120 million if no play is possible this year.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6747566/rugby-australia-plunged-into-more-turmoil/

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University of Adelaide insists mystery departures nothing to do with finances

The University of Adelaide says the unexplained departure of its two top leaders this week - chancellor Kevin Scarce and vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen - has nothing to do with its finances, and that it is not at risk of insolvency.

On Monday, Rear Admiral Scarce resigned as chancellor with immediate effect, cutting the former South Australian governor's term at the university short by six months.

Less than 24 hours later, Professor Rathjen took indefinite leave from the role of vice-chancellor.

The university has refused to provide any explanation for the two men stepping aside, but a spokesperson today said it had nothing to do with the financial position of the university.

"The recent announcements are not in any way related to the financial health of the university or the impacts of COVID-19," the spokesperson said.

"The university, like many institutions, is facing a budget shortfall due to COVID-19, but is in a sound financial position and is expecting a strong recovery after the pandemic has ended.

"There is no risk of the university becoming insolvent."

The spokesperson added that "there is no suggestion of financial impropriety".

The university's council met outside its normal meeting schedule on Monday, the day of Rear Admiral Scarce's resignation.

The spokesperson said there have been "a number of additional meetings throughout the COVID-19 situation", but did not directly respond when asked about the subject of the meeting.

Premier Steven Marshall said that he had not had any "update" from the university on what was going on - although he said he had spoken to its deputy chancellor, Catherine Branson.

"I have now spoken to the deputy chancellor and offered any support," he told reporters today.

The ABC has contacted Rear Admiral Scarce and Professor Rathjen for comment.

(continued)

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-06/university-of-adelaide-insists-departures-not-due-to-finances/12220094

#6864031 at 2019-06-28 09:02:19 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #5 - Shill count HIGH Edition

Rugby Australia denies offering Israel Folau money to take down controversial Instagram post
RP from QRes#8772

Rugby Australia has denied offering Israel Folau a sum of cash to take down his controversial Instagram post, a claim the sacked Wallabies star made in his first TV appearance since the saga began.

Speaking on Sky News, Folau said he was seeking an apology from his former employer before revealing that rugby's national governing body tried to pay him to make the problem go away.

"I'm hopeful for an apology from them, and an admission that they were wrong," Folau said.

"That'd be something I'd like to get.

"I'm extremely proud to have represented my country, it's truly an honour.

"Tomorrow is the first step in terms of the legal stuff, I'm looking for an apology and if I can get that, that would be awesome."

Folau: 'I felt backed into a corner'

Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle also released a statement for the first time since Folau's Go Fund Me page was brought down.

"Rugby Australia has acted with complete professionalism and integrity at all times through the process by which Israel was found, by an independent three-member tribunal panel, to have made multiple, serious breaches of the Professional Players Code of Conduct," Castle's statement read.

"The panel found the breaches constituted a high level and directed Rugby Australia to terminate Israel's contract."

Folau has shown no interest in any settlement offers made by RA before and during his code of conduct hearing, the largest of which was close to $2 million.

In the interview with Alan Jones, Folau said his message "came from a place of love" and said he understands why some people have reacted with passion to his case. He also received a strong reaction from Twitter users, when he compared being gay to being a drug addict.

"I can certainly see it from both sides. If I had a child who was a drug addict I would still love my child without anything attached to that."

Did Folau just compare gay people to drug addicts? Gees Louise: https://t.co/whv6XxhwrK @newscomauHQ

- Benedict Brook (@BenedictBrook) June 27, 2019

So in his first TV "interview" Israel Folau compares being gay to being a drug addict....that really does sum him up quite succinctly

- Peter van Onselen (@vanOnselenP) June 27, 2019

Wow... just when you think Israel Folau couldn't be any dumber, I watch an interview where he essentially says gays and drug addicts are the same.

Does the guy even want a career in this country anymore? 😂

- Matt (@RugOnline) June 27, 2019

Folau also touched on the impact the scandal has had on his wife but said she drew strength from her faith to get past it.

"She's been dragged into this situation unexpectedly and it's been very frustrating for her. I'm lucky she's a strong woman and same as me, convicted by her faith."

He also spoke of the reaction from his teammates and said he understood where they were coming from and he had no hard feelings toward any of them.

Former teammates Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps and Michael Hooper had strongly disagreed with Folau's views during the saga.

"It's hard to understand, but it's something that doesn't surprise me, I've got no animosity towards anyone," Folau said.

"I let that [criticism] wash over me, I've got no hard feelings towards those guys, I've had really good times with those guys on and off the field, they are entitled to their opinions."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/israel-folau-news-rugby-australia-denies-offering-m/62ce8fdc-e2b0-49c0-bb27-94cc49df4d2c

#6519173 at 2019-05-17 05:36:42 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #4 - Q Goes Down Under Edition

Israel Folau officially sacked by Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia has officially sacked Israel Folau after the star was found guilty of a "high level" breach over last month's controversial Instagram post.

RA chief executive Raelene Castle fronted the media this afternoon where she announced that Folau's four-year, $4m contract will be torn up. Folau has 72 hours to appeal the RA decision, seperately, he's likely to fight the decision in the Supreme Court.

The 30-year-old's career has been in the balance since his April 10 post that suggested homosexuals, among others, would go to hell.

"While Rugby Australia accepts the panel's decision directing termination of Israel Folau's playing contract for his high-level breach of the Code of Conduct, we want to stress that this outcome is a painful situation for the game," Castle said.

"Rugby Australia did not choose to be in this situation, but Rugby Australia's position remains that Israel, through his actions, left us with no choice but to pursue this course of action.

"This has been an extremely challenging period for Rugby and this issue has created an unwanted distraction in an important year for the sport and for the Wallabies team.

"But our clear message to all Rugby fans today is that we need to stand by our values and the qualities of inclusion, passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork.

"Israel is a great Rugby player and we are disappointed and saddened by the fact that he will not see out his four-year commitment to the Wallabies and Waratahs."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/israel-folau-sacked-by-rugby-australia-after-controversial-instagram-post/104eb676-b288-4511-9e42-5a4e27c7f783

Freedom of speech is dead in Aus