Latest news with #AdamThompson
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Aussie rock star living his teenage Meat Loaf dreams
Music has helped Adam Thompson navigate life's high and lows since his world was turned upside down with the death of his mother to cancer when he was 13. Almost 50 years later, the Chocolate Starfish frontman and his bandmates are rocking audiences around Australia on their Bat Out Of Hell tribute to the 1977 Meat Loaf album that got him through his darkest days. In many ways, Thompson says, he's been preparing for the Bat Out Of Hell shows since the album soundtracked his grief and hope as a teen. "I remember jumping off the corner of the couch pretending it was a stage when I played the album and practising, practising," he tells AAP. "It's the dynamics and the complexity - the operatic and the theatrical part of it definitely appealed to me." Composed by the late Jim Steinman, with gloriously melodramatic vocals by Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell remains the highest-selling album in Australian music history (1.7 million copies), trumping John Farnham's Whispering Jack. "The year it came out, I was just turned 14 and mum died that year from cancer and I'm just in the throes of puberty and trying to work out what it's all about," Thompson says. "The songs gave me promise, gave me a voice - even if it was just to express it to myself in my bedroom. I could get it out." Heavily influenced by teenage angst, the magnum opus was loaded with hits - from You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth to Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Bat Out of Hell and Paradise by the Dashboard Light. "I dreamt about singing those songs," Thompson says. "I dreamt about meeting Meat Loaf and literally years later, I was backstage with him for his 50th birthday. "He drew everyone into a big circle and sang Happy Birthday. And he's got his arm around me and I've got my arm around him. "You can't orchestrate that unless you're a 14-year-old boy putting it out to the universe all those years ago that a moment like that should happen." Formed in 1992 and renowned for singalong singles Mountain, All Over Me and a cover of You're So Vain, Chocolate Starfish have been rocking a new confidence since Thompson opened up about the mental health challenges he faced after his mum passed. "I love the vulnerability of being on stage now, being truly vulnerable," he says. "The audience loves being part of a wow factor show but the narrative in between the stories and links are very real and they come with years of experience. "If I look at a song like For Crying Out Loud (from Bat Out Of Hell) - it is some of the most beautiful poetry. "They're words I just adore singing because they're very from the heart and that's how I try and live my life." Thompson says opening up has strengthened the shared empathy forged across 30 years between band and fans. Crowds are already on their side when they take the stage these days. No need to win them over. "They're not standing back, looking and waiting," he says. "They can feel it because your struggles are their struggles and they can feel the moments just as powerfully." The band will take a night off from the Bat Out Of Hell tour - which visits Sydney, Thirroul, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide before ending in Perth on August 30 - for a return performance at the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill. Thompson says regional Australia and Chocolate Starfish are dear old friends. "If you think about the year we came out, that was also the birth of grunge, so it was cool to be introverted," he says. "It was cool to wear flannels and not communicate, whereas I'm a larger-than-life, theatrical guy who was showing outwards, not inwards, and the band and the songs were like that too. "The regional areas embraced us. When we revisit some of these areas now, it is like a homecoming." And who knows - maybe home to a few flamboyant teenagers jumping off couches, dreaming big as they sing along to some great Australian songwriting. Music has helped Adam Thompson navigate life's high and lows since his world was turned upside down with the death of his mother to cancer when he was 13. Almost 50 years later, the Chocolate Starfish frontman and his bandmates are rocking audiences around Australia on their Bat Out Of Hell tribute to the 1977 Meat Loaf album that got him through his darkest days. In many ways, Thompson says, he's been preparing for the Bat Out Of Hell shows since the album soundtracked his grief and hope as a teen. "I remember jumping off the corner of the couch pretending it was a stage when I played the album and practising, practising," he tells AAP. "It's the dynamics and the complexity - the operatic and the theatrical part of it definitely appealed to me." Composed by the late Jim Steinman, with gloriously melodramatic vocals by Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell remains the highest-selling album in Australian music history (1.7 million copies), trumping John Farnham's Whispering Jack. "The year it came out, I was just turned 14 and mum died that year from cancer and I'm just in the throes of puberty and trying to work out what it's all about," Thompson says. "The songs gave me promise, gave me a voice - even if it was just to express it to myself in my bedroom. I could get it out." Heavily influenced by teenage angst, the magnum opus was loaded with hits - from You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth to Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Bat Out of Hell and Paradise by the Dashboard Light. "I dreamt about singing those songs," Thompson says. "I dreamt about meeting Meat Loaf and literally years later, I was backstage with him for his 50th birthday. "He drew everyone into a big circle and sang Happy Birthday. And he's got his arm around me and I've got my arm around him. "You can't orchestrate that unless you're a 14-year-old boy putting it out to the universe all those years ago that a moment like that should happen." Formed in 1992 and renowned for singalong singles Mountain, All Over Me and a cover of You're So Vain, Chocolate Starfish have been rocking a new confidence since Thompson opened up about the mental health challenges he faced after his mum passed. "I love the vulnerability of being on stage now, being truly vulnerable," he says. "The audience loves being part of a wow factor show but the narrative in between the stories and links are very real and they come with years of experience. "If I look at a song like For Crying Out Loud (from Bat Out Of Hell) - it is some of the most beautiful poetry. "They're words I just adore singing because they're very from the heart and that's how I try and live my life." Thompson says opening up has strengthened the shared empathy forged across 30 years between band and fans. Crowds are already on their side when they take the stage these days. No need to win them over. "They're not standing back, looking and waiting," he says. "They can feel it because your struggles are their struggles and they can feel the moments just as powerfully." The band will take a night off from the Bat Out Of Hell tour - which visits Sydney, Thirroul, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide before ending in Perth on August 30 - for a return performance at the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill. Thompson says regional Australia and Chocolate Starfish are dear old friends. "If you think about the year we came out, that was also the birth of grunge, so it was cool to be introverted," he says. "It was cool to wear flannels and not communicate, whereas I'm a larger-than-life, theatrical guy who was showing outwards, not inwards, and the band and the songs were like that too. "The regional areas embraced us. When we revisit some of these areas now, it is like a homecoming." And who knows - maybe home to a few flamboyant teenagers jumping off couches, dreaming big as they sing along to some great Australian songwriting. Music has helped Adam Thompson navigate life's high and lows since his world was turned upside down with the death of his mother to cancer when he was 13. Almost 50 years later, the Chocolate Starfish frontman and his bandmates are rocking audiences around Australia on their Bat Out Of Hell tribute to the 1977 Meat Loaf album that got him through his darkest days. In many ways, Thompson says, he's been preparing for the Bat Out Of Hell shows since the album soundtracked his grief and hope as a teen. "I remember jumping off the corner of the couch pretending it was a stage when I played the album and practising, practising," he tells AAP. "It's the dynamics and the complexity - the operatic and the theatrical part of it definitely appealed to me." Composed by the late Jim Steinman, with gloriously melodramatic vocals by Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell remains the highest-selling album in Australian music history (1.7 million copies), trumping John Farnham's Whispering Jack. "The year it came out, I was just turned 14 and mum died that year from cancer and I'm just in the throes of puberty and trying to work out what it's all about," Thompson says. "The songs gave me promise, gave me a voice - even if it was just to express it to myself in my bedroom. I could get it out." Heavily influenced by teenage angst, the magnum opus was loaded with hits - from You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth to Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Bat Out of Hell and Paradise by the Dashboard Light. "I dreamt about singing those songs," Thompson says. "I dreamt about meeting Meat Loaf and literally years later, I was backstage with him for his 50th birthday. "He drew everyone into a big circle and sang Happy Birthday. And he's got his arm around me and I've got my arm around him. "You can't orchestrate that unless you're a 14-year-old boy putting it out to the universe all those years ago that a moment like that should happen." Formed in 1992 and renowned for singalong singles Mountain, All Over Me and a cover of You're So Vain, Chocolate Starfish have been rocking a new confidence since Thompson opened up about the mental health challenges he faced after his mum passed. "I love the vulnerability of being on stage now, being truly vulnerable," he says. "The audience loves being part of a wow factor show but the narrative in between the stories and links are very real and they come with years of experience. "If I look at a song like For Crying Out Loud (from Bat Out Of Hell) - it is some of the most beautiful poetry. "They're words I just adore singing because they're very from the heart and that's how I try and live my life." Thompson says opening up has strengthened the shared empathy forged across 30 years between band and fans. Crowds are already on their side when they take the stage these days. No need to win them over. "They're not standing back, looking and waiting," he says. "They can feel it because your struggles are their struggles and they can feel the moments just as powerfully." The band will take a night off from the Bat Out Of Hell tour - which visits Sydney, Thirroul, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide before ending in Perth on August 30 - for a return performance at the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill. Thompson says regional Australia and Chocolate Starfish are dear old friends. "If you think about the year we came out, that was also the birth of grunge, so it was cool to be introverted," he says. "It was cool to wear flannels and not communicate, whereas I'm a larger-than-life, theatrical guy who was showing outwards, not inwards, and the band and the songs were like that too. "The regional areas embraced us. When we revisit some of these areas now, it is like a homecoming." And who knows - maybe home to a few flamboyant teenagers jumping off couches, dreaming big as they sing along to some great Australian songwriting. Music has helped Adam Thompson navigate life's high and lows since his world was turned upside down with the death of his mother to cancer when he was 13. Almost 50 years later, the Chocolate Starfish frontman and his bandmates are rocking audiences around Australia on their Bat Out Of Hell tribute to the 1977 Meat Loaf album that got him through his darkest days. In many ways, Thompson says, he's been preparing for the Bat Out Of Hell shows since the album soundtracked his grief and hope as a teen. "I remember jumping off the corner of the couch pretending it was a stage when I played the album and practising, practising," he tells AAP. "It's the dynamics and the complexity - the operatic and the theatrical part of it definitely appealed to me." Composed by the late Jim Steinman, with gloriously melodramatic vocals by Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell remains the highest-selling album in Australian music history (1.7 million copies), trumping John Farnham's Whispering Jack. "The year it came out, I was just turned 14 and mum died that year from cancer and I'm just in the throes of puberty and trying to work out what it's all about," Thompson says. "The songs gave me promise, gave me a voice - even if it was just to express it to myself in my bedroom. I could get it out." Heavily influenced by teenage angst, the magnum opus was loaded with hits - from You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth to Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Bat Out of Hell and Paradise by the Dashboard Light. "I dreamt about singing those songs," Thompson says. "I dreamt about meeting Meat Loaf and literally years later, I was backstage with him for his 50th birthday. "He drew everyone into a big circle and sang Happy Birthday. And he's got his arm around me and I've got my arm around him. "You can't orchestrate that unless you're a 14-year-old boy putting it out to the universe all those years ago that a moment like that should happen." Formed in 1992 and renowned for singalong singles Mountain, All Over Me and a cover of You're So Vain, Chocolate Starfish have been rocking a new confidence since Thompson opened up about the mental health challenges he faced after his mum passed. "I love the vulnerability of being on stage now, being truly vulnerable," he says. "The audience loves being part of a wow factor show but the narrative in between the stories and links are very real and they come with years of experience. "If I look at a song like For Crying Out Loud (from Bat Out Of Hell) - it is some of the most beautiful poetry. "They're words I just adore singing because they're very from the heart and that's how I try and live my life." Thompson says opening up has strengthened the shared empathy forged across 30 years between band and fans. Crowds are already on their side when they take the stage these days. No need to win them over. "They're not standing back, looking and waiting," he says. "They can feel it because your struggles are their struggles and they can feel the moments just as powerfully." The band will take a night off from the Bat Out Of Hell tour - which visits Sydney, Thirroul, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide before ending in Perth on August 30 - for a return performance at the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill. Thompson says regional Australia and Chocolate Starfish are dear old friends. "If you think about the year we came out, that was also the birth of grunge, so it was cool to be introverted," he says. "It was cool to wear flannels and not communicate, whereas I'm a larger-than-life, theatrical guy who was showing outwards, not inwards, and the band and the songs were like that too. "The regional areas embraced us. When we revisit some of these areas now, it is like a homecoming." And who knows - maybe home to a few flamboyant teenagers jumping off couches, dreaming big as they sing along to some great Australian songwriting.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Aussie rock star living his teenage Meat Loaf dreams
Music has helped Adam Thompson navigate life's high and lows since his world was turned upside down with the death of his mother to cancer when he was 13. Almost 50 years later, the Chocolate Starfish frontman and his bandmates are rocking audiences around Australia on their Bat Out Of Hell tribute to the 1977 Meat Loaf album that got him through his darkest days. In many ways, Thompson says, he's been preparing for the Bat Out Of Hell shows since the album soundtracked his grief and hope as a teen. "I remember jumping off the corner of the couch pretending it was a stage when I played the album and practising, practising," he tells AAP. "It's the dynamics and the complexity - the operatic and the theatrical part of it definitely appealed to me." Composed by the late Jim Steinman, with gloriously melodramatic vocals by Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell remains the highest-selling album in Australian music history (1.7 million copies), trumping John Farnham's Whispering Jack. "The year it came out, I was just turned 14 and mum died that year from cancer and I'm just in the throes of puberty and trying to work out what it's all about," Thompson says. "The songs gave me promise, gave me a voice - even if it was just to express it to myself in my bedroom. I could get it out." Heavily influenced by teenage angst, the magnum opus was loaded with hits - from You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth to Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Bat Out of Hell and Paradise by the Dashboard Light. "I dreamt about singing those songs," Thompson says. "I dreamt about meeting Meat Loaf and literally years later, I was backstage with him for his 50th birthday. "He drew everyone into a big circle and sang Happy Birthday. And he's got his arm around me and I've got my arm around him. "You can't orchestrate that unless you're a 14-year-old boy putting it out to the universe all those years ago that a moment like that should happen." Formed in 1992 and renowned for singalong singles Mountain, All Over Me and a cover of You're So Vain, Chocolate Starfish have been rocking a new confidence since Thompson opened up about the mental health challenges he faced after his mum passed. "I love the vulnerability of being on stage now, being truly vulnerable," he says. "The audience loves being part of a wow factor show but the narrative in between the stories and links are very real and they come with years of experience. "If I look at a song like For Crying Out Loud (from Bat Out Of Hell) - it is some of the most beautiful poetry. "They're words I just adore singing because they're very from the heart and that's how I try and live my life." Thompson says opening up has strengthened the shared empathy forged across 30 years between band and fans. Crowds are already on their side when they take the stage these days. No need to win them over. "They're not standing back, looking and waiting," he says. "They can feel it because your struggles are their struggles and they can feel the moments just as powerfully." The band will take a night off from the Bat Out Of Hell tour - which visits Sydney, Thirroul, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide before ending in Perth on August 30 - for a return performance at the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill. Thompson says regional Australia and Chocolate Starfish are dear old friends. "If you think about the year we came out, that was also the birth of grunge, so it was cool to be introverted," he says. "It was cool to wear flannels and not communicate, whereas I'm a larger-than-life, theatrical guy who was showing outwards, not inwards, and the band and the songs were like that too. "The regional areas embraced us. When we revisit some of these areas now, it is like a homecoming." And who knows - maybe home to a few flamboyant teenagers jumping off couches, dreaming big as they sing along to some great Australian songwriting.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
NSW government forced to correct marketing strategy after falsely claiming it built '3D printed' social housing unit in three days instead of 20 week reality
Social media users have erupted after the NSW government falsely stated it had built a 3D-printed social housing block in Dubbo in three days - as opposed to the actual timeline of 20 weeks. The NSW government, in partnership with Aboriginal Sustainable Homes, Contour3D and the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office, announced it had completed the state's first ever 3D-printed social housing project in Dubbo. The government said the construction of the dwelling was a significant "milestone", with the two-bedroom home set to house Indigenous social housing tenants. As the nation grapples with a debilitating housing crisis, the new sensation of 3D-printed homes have swept the country by storm – with governments and manufacturers touting the technology as a cheaper, quicker and more sustainable option. Yet the 'first of its kind' feat was overshadowed when the NSW government inaccurately stated in a Facebook post that the development was completed in three days as opposed to 20 weeks. The original post read: "NSW's first 3D printed social home is here! "It was built in just 3 days, uses less materials than traditional builds, and could help more people get into homes faster and more affordably." However the post was subsequently corrected to reflect a 20 week build time. The post's comment section lashed the state government for the misleading error, with one user questioning 'how did this go from '3 days' to '20 weeks?'' Other users expressed their disappointment, with one stating 'So, 1 down, how many more to go?' and another said '20 weeks is not that different to a regular build of this size." The government was quick to jump on the bungle, responding to almost every comment while explaining there was 'an error in our first caption." It added that the caption had since been 'updated.' Emails seen by claim that the original post, drafted by a Social Media Advisor for NSW Government, was approved by Homes NSW director Adam Thompson. However, the concept of a 3D printed home, which the state government said would serve as a major solution in tackling the national housing crisis, incited the wrath of users who were unconvinced if the house was safe to live in. 'I do hope the dividing wall is sound & fire proof' one person wrote, with another jibing 'what about when the big bad wolf huff and puffs?' The house was created using approximately 70 tonnes of Contourcrete, a specially developed 3D printable concrete mix and was printed in 16 days. The home was also delivered in less than half the usual 40-week timeline. However, the government's assertions of budget savings have come under fire, with critics arguing that $814,000 was a steep figure in a highly scrutinised space such as social housing. CoreLogic data showed that numerous regional homes in NSW were built for similar prices or slightly less as commentors stated two homes felt like a measley return for the hefty investment. The alleged savings are also based on internal or project-linked estimates as there is no comprehensive Australian study to verify the cost advantages of 3D printing at scale. Research from several Australian academic institutions including Charles Darwin University and Monash University have warned that 3D printing could also reduce onsite labour demand, particularly in regional areas whose local economies are reliant on traditional construction trades. The NSW government has a target of delivering 377,000 new homes by 2029 through the National Housing accord which experts have warned is unachievable. New figures from the Institute of Public Affairs revealed the Albanese government had failed to meet a single target in the first year of its flagship National Housing Accord, falling more than 55,000 homes short of its annual goal. NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the Dubbo pilot was a 'game-changer' and that the feat was 'just the beginning.'
SBS Australia
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
"Tenderness and tension": Producer Catherine Pettman on the fragile beauty of 'Moonbird'
Sonny (Lennox Monaghan) holding a baby muttonbird. Credit: Jillian Mundy Filmed entirely on location on tayaritja, lutruwita (Great/Big Dog Island, Tasmania), new 6-part SBS and NITV Digital Originals series Moonbird explores the relationship between a recently sober father (Kyle Morrison; in his first leading role) and his son (Lennox Monaghan; Deadloch , Windcatcher ) who attempt to reconnect through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote Tasmanian island. Produced by Catherine Pettman (who worked as a production manager on another SBS original, The Tailings ) and written by Adam Thompson (who has written several episodes of Logie Award-winning children's animation Little J & Big Cuz ) and Nathan Maynard (who wrote episodes of Deadloch and Stuff the British Stole ), Moonbird is a beautiful glimpse into the traditions of the Palawa people. "As writers and storytellers we wanted to share some of this special place with the world. To share the unique landscape, culture and way of life," said writer and Palawa man Adam Thompson in a statement. Coloured by gorgeous landscapes, the short drama series observes the importance of tradition to First Nations peoples, while also revealing the dark truths of how the breakdown of culture can have disastrous effects. In an interview with SBS, Catherine Pettman discusses the myriad wonders that came with working on Moonbird , from crafting the short series alongside female filmmakers to shooting on the fragile yet mesmerising land of the Palawa people: tayaritja. Moonbird offers a unique glimpse into the unique world of muttonbirding. What did it mean for you to create something that allows viewers to look into this tradition and were there any challenges that came about during production? I feel deeply honoured to be part of bringing this story to life — inviting audiences into the rarely seen world of muttonbirding, a tradition woven through place, family and survival. Big Dog Island, just south of Flinders Island in Bass Strait, is separated by a shifting tidal passage making access unpredictable and weather dependent. With near zero infrastructure on the island, we were challenged by a constant shuffle between barges and boats to get everything we needed on and off the island daily. Given the remoteness it was a tough shoot, but the team rose to the challenge spectacularly. While the island in Moonbird is fictional, the shooting location, Big Dog Island, is very much real, beautiful and has a deep history entrenched in the soil. What was it like creating Moonbird amongst such important lands? Big Dog Island is extraordinary — wild, remote, and teeming with life, with hundreds of thousands of burrows covering the island, sheltering the next generation of birds. From the beginning, we knew that protecting this fragile habitat was paramount. Every step of filming was approached with care and respect — not just for the environment, but for the Palawa people and their traditions at the heart of the story. We took great care to protect the fragile habitat, ensuring every step was respectful to the land, the birds and the story we were telling. Moonbird explores the need to reconcile the past through truth-telling, through the effort to heal fractured relationships, even as we acknowledge how hard that is within systems that continue to apply pressure. What is your most cherished memory or moment from the creation of Moonbird ? One of my most treasured memories from the film shoot was being awoken before dawn to the wild calls of the yula/muttonbird outside my tent—a haunting, beautiful sound, a clear signal to me I was a guest in a place few people ever get to experience. The island's raw, untouched beauty was unforgettable; its energy made us all feel like we were part of something deeply special. My most cherished moment, though, came on our final night. After a feast of wild island food, we gathered to reflect on the privilege of being welcomed into Adam (Thompson) and Nathan (Maynard)'s world. We'd all learned so much—not just about the land, but about resilience, heritage and care. I was especially grateful to our young actor, Lennox Monaghan, whose powerful, authentic performance as Sonny anchored the story. It was an emotional night—of joy and a little sorrow that it was ending. The island had moved us. It gave us something we'll carry forever. While there is certainly a lot of light in Moonbird , there is also darkness, especially around how the breakdown of culture can affect Indigenous peoples. Could you talk about exploring this duality in Moonbird ? Moonbird holds a deep emotional complexity. I feel in creating the story, Adam and Nathan skillfully navigated the duality of tenderness and tension—those intimate, warm moments between a father and son working to mend their bond, contrasted with the painful reality of disconnection: from family, from culture, from self. While there is a lot of light in the story, there's also a necessary darkness. The breakdown of culture—its theft, suppression and slow erosion—has left lasting wounds. Moonbird explores the need to reconcile the past through truth-telling, through the effort to heal fractured relationships, even as we acknowledge how hard that is within systems that continue to apply pressure. The island becomes a metaphor for this struggle—a place of breathtaking beauty, yet always at risk. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for my life here in lutruwita/Tasmania — it's an extraordinary place, and with that comes a responsibility to support stories that speak truthfully to its history. You've noted a strong female contingent working on Moonbird behind the scenes. Could you speak on how that experience felt for you and the positive impacts this had on the creation of Moonbird ? We had around 40% female crew on Moonbird and the impact of that was incredibly positive. I'm always mindful of creating opportunities for women across all departments and on this project, that balance really enriched the experience. Living and working so closely together on location, there was a strong sense of support, shared knowledge and mentorship. The diversity within the crew encouraged dynamic decision-making and genuine collaboration. It fostered a community of like-minded souls, where stories and skills were exchanged freely. Having such experienced, capable women on set—many of them role models—was a clear reminder that parity not only works, it elevates the entire production. You have worked on multiple short films and full-length films which tackle important topics and sometimes topics that do not get spoken on enough. How did this history inform your approach to telling the important stories of the Palawa people? I feel a deep sense of gratitude for my life here in lutruwita/Tasmania — it's an extraordinary place and with that comes a responsibility to support stories that speak truthfully to its history. Over the years, I've worked on projects that seek to give voice to stories not often heard and that experience has shaped how I approach work like Moonbird . As a non-Aboriginal woman, I've learned a great deal from the Palawa community and I carry a deep respect for the knowledge and generosity so many have shared with me. With Moonbird , my focus was on supporting Adam and Nathan to bring a powerful dramatic story to television — one that's rooted in their lived experiences and cultural strength. My role was to back their vision; it was a privilege to learn from them and help bring their story into the world. SBS and NITV Digital Originals series Moonbird is now streaming on SBS On Demand. Share this with family and friends SBS's award winning companion podcast. Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Nigel Farage humiliated by ex-teacher's question about 'awful case'
Labour's Adam Thompson and Angela Rayner poked fun of Nigel Farage after the Reform leader claimed to have unearthed £7billion of savings when the real figure was 250 times lower Nigel Farage's dodgy maths has been brutally mocked at PMQs. Labour MP Adam Thompson, a former teacher, drew laughs across the Commons as he highlighted an "awful" case where a 61-year-old man got his sums horrifically wrong. He demanded to know what the Government was doing to help adults learn maths after leaving school. He then revealed he was talking about the Reform UK leader. Mr Farage came under fire after claiming to have unearthed £7billion of "wasteful" spending on diversity and equality programmes in Whitehall. But closer inspection showed the civil service actually spent £27million - 250 times less, the Commons heard. The Reform leader looked sheepish as both Mr Thompson and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner poked fun of him. Ms Rayner showed it proved that Reform's sums "don't add up". Backbencher Mr Thompson asked: "As a trained physics teacher and a former engineering lecturer, can I ask the Deputy Prime Minister what this government is doing to help people improve their math skills after they've left school? "I came across an awful case the other day, a 61-year-old man who believes he counted up £7billion in government spending, but it was really only £27 million. "What can we do to people like the leader of Reform UK, who evidently can't add up." Mr Farage, 61, watched on as the exchange unfolded. Ms Rayner, who was stepping in for Keir Starmer as he was returning from the G7 summit in Canada, responded: "Mr Speaker, my friend highlights an important fact - Reform's sums simply don't add up. "He'll be pleased to know that we're investing £136million for skills boot camps, and I will be sure to send the details to the honourable member for Clacton (Mr Farage)." At the end of last month, Reform said cutting DEI programmes would make the massive saving. A spokesman for the party told The Times that the figure came from a review of spending carried out by the Conservative Way Forward group. It also includes councils, school boards, universities and government grants to charities, the newspaper reported - and even that figure is under dispute.
