Latest news with #GatherRound
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas' under fire over awarding of golf course redesign contract to Greg Norman
South Australia now hosts major events like the AFL's popular Gather Round thanks to its sports-loving premier, but his move to establish LIV Golf within Adelaide's heritage-listed parklands has critics piling onto Peter Malinauskas. It is the manner in which he has taken control of the council-managed North Adelaide Golf Course that has raised eyebrows about how he is using his power. Mr Malinauskas and his state Labor government hold a large majority and awarded the contract for the course redesign to Greg Norman Golf Course Design, without going to tender. Australian golfing great Norman is also a LIV Golf Board member and became an outcast in the sport when he helped launch the Saudi-backed tour. The government says the contract was awarded through direct engagement and Mr Norman's company has specialist skills and a reputation to deliver. However critics like crossbench MP Frank Pangallo told 7.30 the City Council had been "shafted". "I'm supportive of LIV Golf but the way the premier has gone about this is quite arrogant and I think it indicates the hubris of this government," he said. Mr Pangallo said the Malinauskas government enjoyed sky-high public popularity which effectively allowed it to do as it pleased. The next election will be in March 2026. "This government needs to be held to account. They really do and unfortunately, they're not. They'll be going into an election campaign full of themselves," Mr Pangallo told 7.30. "They seem to be flying at the moment. It doesn't last. "In the end there are more serious issues that are going to start hurting and biting, you know, cost of living pressures, housing affordability. The SA government however has pledged $1.7 billion over five years from 2024-25 to address increased levels of demand in the public health system. State Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said the government legislated to take control from the City Council because it couldn't afford any delays in redeveloping the course for LIV. "We're taking a golf course and it's becoming an even better golf course," Mr Champion told 7.30. "They're the ones making this an issue of controversy and then they say, 'oh, well, you, you should get back to basics'. We do want to get back to basics. "Let's have a debate about ramping. Let's have a debate about housing and we're quite confident that we've taken the action necessary." The government announced its golf course takeover while the City Council's Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, a former state Labor minister, was overseas on business. Upon her return she said that council had been working with the government to bring LIV Golf closer to the Adelaide CBD. The council has managed and invested in the North Adelaide Golf Course for more than 100 years. "Our investment is being removed and ... this is not a particularly collaborative way to do business," she told 7.30. "We haven't in any way obstructed, we haven't produced red tape. We haven't found barriers. LIV Golf is funded by the Saudi Government's Sovereign Wealth Fund, which has been criticised over many years for "sportswashing" as a way to turn attention away from the country's record of human rights abuses. Mr Champion labelled critics "knockers" who were focused on process, while the government was concentrating on outcomes for the "great event". "These people who make these criticisms want to snowdome Adelaide and they want to keep it for a very, very privileged few," he said. "They want to keep it nice and quiet and we'll all be bored out of their mind if we go to their agenda. The city golf course will be redeveloped to accommodate LIV Golf at a cost of at least $45 million and outside of the event it will remain a public golf course. When 7.30 visited the course, golfers were full of praise for Mr Malinauskas. "He's a very good premier and he does very good things in all aspects of making decisions," one told 7.30. Another golfer said having a "world-class golf course" near accommodation and restaurants in the city would be exciting. But concerns about the redevelopment remain. The government won't say how much Greg Norman's golf course design business will be paid. Mr Pangallo said the fee should be made public. "Don't hide behind cabinet in confidence and commercial confidentiality and all that." Mr Champion said he was unsure when the fee to Mr Norman's business would be announced. "Ultimately all of these figures tend to come out as part of the projects. But as to when it will be disclosed, I'm not sure," he told 7.30 It's not yet known how many new buildings will be constructed on the parklands course and how many trees will be cut down. Mr Champion claimed that "for every tree that we remove, we'll be planting three more". While the city course is due to host LIV Golf events from 2028, the event is only guaranteed in Adelaide until 2031. Mr Pangallo was worried golf club members would pay the price long-term. "It's about $40 on the weekend (to play currently). On a PGA standard golf course … it could cost between $150 and $200," he said. The government believes the redevelopment will pay dividends. This year's LIV Golf event, held at the suburban course, delivered the state an $81 million windfall. "It will be even bigger and even better in the city and it's helping us to attract other events, like the women's golf as well," Mr Champion told 7.30. "So, this will bring life and activity and investment to our parklands." Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV Do you know more about this story? Get in touch with 7.30 here.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Richmond star Tom Lynch facing four-game ban after being sent straight to AFL Tribunal for striking
Star Richmond forward Tom Lynch is facing a four-week sanction for striking Crow Jordan Butts after being sent straight to the AFL Tribunal. The potential month-long ban would see Lynch miss a trip to Perth in round 19 to face West Coast in what is shaping as the battling Eagles' best chance at a second victory in 2025. Lynch left commentators and fans speechless during the second quarter at the MCG on Sunday, snapping while scuffling with Butts off the ball. Trying to break contact with the Adelaide defender amid another ugly beating, Lynch swung a punch into the back of Butt's head in a move reminiscent of a haymaker, making significant contact. The Match Review Officer deemed the incident intentional contact with severe impact and high contact, deeming the incident so serious it needed to be sent to Tuesday's Tribunal. Due to the seriousness of the charges, the Tiger will likely face a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines should he be found guilty. Lynch's hip pocket didn't escape notice either, with the forward also fined for a second strike and engaging in a melee, the dual fines totalling nearly $3000. Meanwhile, Fremantle spearhead Patrick Voss will be breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding any penalty for his dumping tackle on Saint Marcus Windhager. During the Dockers' crucial win over St Kilda on Sunday, Voss caught the Saints defender in a powerful tackle in the goalsquare, lifting Windhager from the ground and ploughing him into the turf. The umpire paid a free kick, and Windhager was taken from the ground for an HIA exam but later returned. Voss has already served a three-week ban in 2025 for a clumsy strike that left Richmond's Nick Vlastuin with a broken nose during Gather Round. Josh Treacy was fined $1875 for his scuffle after the run-down tackle of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Richmond star sent straight to Tribunal for horror haymaker
The Richmond premiership player lashed out in anger against Adelaide. Star Richmond forward Tom Lynch is facing a four-week sanction for striking Crow Jordan Butts after being sent straight to the AFL Tribunal. The potential month-long ban would see Lynch miss a trip to Perth in round 19 to face West Coast in what is shaping as the battling Eagles' best chance at a second victory in 2025. Lynch left commentators and fans speechless during the second quarter at the MCG on Sunday, snapping while scuffling with Butts off the ball. Trying to break contact with the Adelaide defender amid another ugly beating, Lynch swung a punch into the back of Butt's head in a move reminiscent of a haymaker, making significant contact. The Match Review Officer deemed the incident intentional contact with severe impact and high contact, deeming the incident so serious it needed to be sent to Tuesday's Tribunal. Due to the seriousness of the charges, the Tiger will likely face a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines should he be found guilty. Lynch's hip pocket didn't escape notice either, with the forward also fined for a second strike and engaging in a melee, the dual fines totalling nearly $3000. Meanwhile, Fremantle spearhead Patrick Voss will be breathing a sigh of relief after avoiding any penalty for his dumping tackle on Saint Marcus Windhager. During the Dockers' crucial win over St Kilda on Sunday, Voss caught the Saints defender in a powerful tackle in the goalsquare, lifting Windhager from the ground and ploughing him into the turf. The umpire paid a free kick, and Windhager was taken from the ground for an HIA exam but later returned. Voss has already served a three-week ban in 2025 for a clumsy strike that left Richmond's Nick Vlastuin with a broken nose during Gather Round. Josh Treacy was fined $1875 for his scuffle after the run-down tackle of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Courier-Mail
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
AFL Collingwood whinge about game away from the MCG against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Collingwood overcame St Kilda by 34 points in Melbourne on Saturday night – and the Pies still found a way to complain about the fixture. The Pies, who have enormous pulling power with their Collingwood Army, are universally acknowledged as having the comfiest draw in the competition. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The Saints put up a fight before the ladder leaders pulled away down the stretch for a 16.12 (108) to 11.8 (74) victory at Marvel Stadium. The Pies rarely venture away from the familiar confines of the MCG, playing just six interstate games across this season, which includes Gather Round. Of their 23 matches this season, 14 of them are at the 100,000-seat MCG, with another three games around three kilometres across the city at Marvel. Collingwood players did well to emerge from the correct dressing room at Marvel Stadium. (Photo by) Two of those Marvel fixtures are home games, including Saturday night against the Saints, and that fact doesn't seem to sit well with the Collingwood cheer squad or many of the club's pampered fans. The Collingwood banner ahead of the match against the Saints read: 'A home game at Marvel, we prefer the 'G, this crowd feels like an intimate dinner party.' Poor things must feel lost having to travel all that way and somehow find a seat in the diminutive 53,000-seat venue. Cam Mooney was fired up as he spoke on Fox Footy as the Pies ran through the banner. 'They've just run out, you can hear the crowd, a huge crowd here tonight at Marvel with Collingwood,' he said. Collingwood's banner ahead of the clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Photo: Fox Sports 'I'm looking forward to watching Tim Membrey, playing his first game against the old club. 'It's always a nervous one, 10 years, nearly 180 games, three-time leading goalkicker at St Kilda and then he got the sack at the end of the year. 'What a great pick up from Collingwood.' While former key forward Mooney was excited about Membrey, man of those watching on were poking fun at the venue for the Collingwood side. Sports producer Brad Klibansky noticed the banner and tweeted: 'Cheeky from the Pies.' Max Blake joked: 'Spare a thought for Collingwood players and fans playing a home game on the road at Marvel.' An X account called Broice wrote: 'Important road-trip for the Pies tonight.' Anthony Leach was having fun, tweeting: 'Did Collingwood sell a home game to St Kilda? I guess that's what battler clubs have to do to make a buck.' The official Collingwood account tweeted its Game Day Guide on Friday with the caption: 'Our first home game under the Marvel Stadium roof for 2025!' It's fair to say their huge supporter base was far from pleased, particularly as Marvel happens to be St Kilda's home ground. Renowned race caller Bryan Martin was clearly miffed, replying: 'One too many.' Tim Membrey celebrates a goal against his old side. (Photo by) Another fan replied: 'Imagine Arsenal playing a home game at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. That's what's happening here. We should never agree to a home game against a Marvel tenant.' Millane Raymond wrote: 'Home game against a team that is their home ground.' An angry fan stated: 'It's not a home game if it's not at the MCG! I hate when we get a home game that isn't at the G, it makes no sense and especially considering the Saints home is Marvel.' Another fan declared: 'And we are travelling two games in row.' That last fan at least added a cry laughing emoji, owing to the fact the Pies also 'travel' to Marvel to take on West Coast next week. The Saints were having a crack in their 'away' game. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) While Collingwood occasionally being 'forced' to play away from the MCG is good fodder for footy fans, some were genuinely surprised by the move. Lachy Mahoney tweeted: 'This game being played at Telstra Dome is absolutely ridiculous. And I'm not a Collingwood supporter by the way.' Another blamed the AFL, writing: 'Why are Collingwood playing at Marvel? Poor from the AFL.' The underdog Saints did their best to take advantage of the game at their home ground, trailing by just two points midway through the third term. St Kilda kept fighting, but the Pies kicked four goals to two in the fourth quarter for an ultimately comfortable victory. Originally published as 'Prefer the G': Collingwood whinge about home game at Marvel Stadium
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
West Coast Suns? Gold Coast's surprising guernsey choice
West Coast may have the bye this weekend, but that doesn't mean fans can't get behind the blue and gold after the Gold Coast Suns revealed their latest guernsey design. Ahead of their 'Expansion Cup' clash against GWS on Sunday, the Suns will be ditching their traditional red and gold and instead adopting colours eerily similar to the Eagles. A release from the club states that the yellow and gold strip is the latest piece to their 'Fearless' puzzle, drawing inspiration from their surroundings. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. 'The gold and blue combination portrays the versatility of the Gold Coast, paying homage to the sun-bleached sand that lines the region's beaches and the deep blue tones of the Pacific Ocean,' the statement read. 'The design reflects the club's fearless approach at every level.' While the Suns have previously worn yellow and blue clash guernseys, they have retained the red sun logo, which has now been ditched. The striking resemblance to Eagles colours has not been lost on fans with some joking if it's a sign of a future merger between the clubs. 'Excuse me those colours are taken,' one West Coast fan wrote while another labelled it the 'Gold Coast Eagles fit.' 'Are they unable to find a colour combo that isn't already used by another team,' another wrote. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. It's not the first time this season the Suns have moved away from their traditional colours, having worn a striking all-pink strip for the Gather Round clash.
