Latest news with #Jindabyne
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
NSW minister Ryan Park used ministerial car for 456km trip from Sydney to Jindabyne during ski season
The New South Wales health minister, Ryan Park, used a ministerial car and driver for a 456km journey from Sydney to Jindabyne in August last year. The trip to the Snowy Mountains on Thursday 29 August 2024 was made at the height of the ski season, during the final weeks of the Interschools ski races, in which Park's son was a competitor. The trip between NSW Parliament House in Macquarie Street and Jindabyne was listed in ministerial car logs released under an order for papers earlier in April. The minister's son attended a high school in the Snowy Mountains at the time of the trip. An earlier release of travel logs in March, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, revealed Park made two trips to Thredbo in November and December of the same year, using a ministerial driver to take him to the resort town to meet his family. Ministerial cars could be used for private purposes under the rules in place until February this year. The logs do not record how Park returned from Jindabyne in August. They show a NSW government car was used on 30 August in Park's Keira electorate, which covers Wollongong, and another car was used for 'document delivery' from parliament to the minister's house in Corrimal, in Wollongong's north. Park's ministerial diaries suggest he held two meetings on 29 August at his ministerial office or Parliament House. But an analysis of the diaries, social media and press releases do not show any formal events in Jindabyne on 29 or 30 August. Ministerial diaries are limited in scope and generally disclose only third-party meetings. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email On 29 August Park issued a press release apologising for birth trauma suffered by women which had been highlighted by a parliamentary inquiry – but he did not hold a media event on that issue. On 30 August, he was quoted in a press release about a new breast screening service in Maitland, but social media photos of the event do not show him there. Asked about the trip, Park did not provide any explanation or details of business conducted. The minister also took a trip in a ministerial car from Albury to Jindabyne – a distance of more than 250km – on 6 September 2023, returning home to Corrimal on 7 September. Park's social media posts on 8 September that year show him having visited Jindabyne ambulance station and Jindabyne HealthOne – a NSW government-funded health hub – with the member for Monaro, Steve Whan. Park said in relation to this trip: 'In September 2023, I attended ministerial business in Jindabyne. 'These trips were in accordance with the rules at the time, and I've always followed the relevant guidelines. 'We inherited guidelines for ministerial driver use that had too many grey areas. 'But we accept those guidelines needed to be tightened, and the Premier has since changed those guidelines.' In February this year, Jo Haylen resigned as transport minister after it was revealed she had used her ministerial car and driver to take her and some friends to lunch at a vineyard in the Hunter Valley and back on the Australia Day long weekend. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion That involved a 13-hour 446km round trip for the driver from Sydney to Haylen's holiday house at Caves Beach, and then to a Hunter Valley winery and back. Haylen admitted the winery lunch trip failed the 'pub test', although it was within the rules as they were then. Haylen subsequently admitted she had taken another trip to the Hunter Valley with her husband using a ministerial car in 2024. The premier, Chris Minns, said in February he had discussed the 2024 trip with Haylen before she resigned and while 'there was work that took place, in all candour [it was] mainly over the phone and on Zoom'. 'We were both in agreement [that] it didn't justify having a driver on the day, and as a result of that, her position just wasn't tenable in the NSW cabinet. 'Work took place on the day, but certainly not extensive enough to justify having a driver.' The premier said at the time that the government would not conduct an audit of other MPs' use of ministerial cars. Cabinet had discussed the issue and Minns was not aware of any analogous circumstances, he said in February, adding he trusted his colleagues. Minns tightened the rules governing the use of drivers immediately after Haylen's resignation, banning the use of ministerial cars 'for exclusively private purposes'. The rules now say that drivers can only be used for official business. The Ministers' Office Handbook states: 'Any use of a driver for private purposes must be incidental to the discharge of the minister's official duties. 'Incidental use' includes: stopping for a private purpose while travelling to or from the workplace or other place where the minister has official business or performing minor errands that assist a Minister to perform their official duties (eg – dropping off or picking up a child from school).' In relation to the trips to Thredbo, Park told the Sydney Morning Herald in March that the trips had allowed him to 'reunite with family while undertaking work on a handful of other occasions'. Park defended the use of the ministerial cars, saying his job was '24/7' and they allowed him to 'perform my duties while commuting, whether to review briefs of correspondence, or confer with my colleagues'. In both cases, Park was joining his family for a weekend away after they had left without him the day before. Before the November trip, he attended a cancer fundraiser on the Friday evening. In December, he had been attending the NSW drug summit before a national health ministers meeting on the day before the journey.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Viewers confused as Channel Nine fails to air State of Origin fails pre-game entertainment after country singer booked for the gig was slammed by footy fans
State of Origin viewers were left scratching their heads on Wednesday night after Channel Nine failed to air the advertised pre-game entertainment. While Aussie country singer Brad Cox took the stage to entertain 80,000-plus NRL supporters at Accor Stadium, those watching the match from home just saw ads. 'How bizarre the pre-game entertainment wasn't televised… that's a shame. Brad Cox is a legend' write one person on X. 'There is a reason Channel 9 are not showing the pre-game "entertainment,"' said another. 'Can't wait to hear Brad Cox perform - said no NRL fan ever,' one more viewer chimed in online. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'The #origin pre-game horse s**t is as cringe as ever,' someone else posted. Yet another person who had tuned in at home commented 'Who?' when it was pointed out that Cox was due to perform. Cox was confirmed by the NRL as the pre-game entertainment on Tuesday, ahead of the Origin series decider in Sydney - and many footy fans were not happy. The 30-year-old is best known for his song Give Me Tonight, which has been streamed more than 12 million times on Spotify. Performing in front of 80,000-plus supporters at Accor Stadium is a career highlight for the performer from Jindabyne, NSW. But some bemused fans felt the NRL missed the mark. 'Is this random the best the NRL can do? He doesn't even have a picture on his Wikipedia page,' one bluntly posted in response to the announcement. 'Surely you could've done better?' asked another. 'How bizarre the pre-game entertainment wasn't televised… that's a shame. Brad Cox is a legend' wrote one person on X 'Ahh yes the famous Brad Cox,' added a third, sarcastically. Cox burst onto the Australian country music scene in 2018 with his self-titled debut album, earning two coveted Golden Guitar nominations. He has also promised a 'high-energy' performance. 'We are there to get fans fired up for a big game of footy, so we'll be playing accordingly,' Cox told News Corp. 'I reckon we are going to start a trend. NRL and country music go hand-in-hand, I think we'll be the first of many.'
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Fans all asking the same question about State of Origin pre-game entertainment
NRL fans have all been left asking the same thing about the State of Origin pre-game entertainment. Local country musician Brad Cox was given the honour of performing in front of the packed Accor Stadium stands on Wednesday night. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Unfortunately the 30-year-old from Jindabyne, NSW wasn't sighted with the musical act not being shown on the broadcast. Cox burst onto the music scene back in 2018 and promised to deliver a show that would be 'high energy, loud and obnoxious'. 'We're there to get fans fired up for a big game of footy so we'll be playing accordingly,' Cox said to The Daily Telegraph. The NRL had promoted Cox's act after announcing him a day out from the decider, but countless fans were left questioning why they weren't able to catch a glimpse of the relatively unknown country singer do his thing. One fan wrote on X: 'Was the music act that bad that they didn't play it on TV? I mean they play Sheppard most years. It can't be much worse than that.' A second added: 'How bizarre the pre game entertainment wasn't televised … that's a shame. Brad Cox is a legend.' contacted Channel 9 regarding the decision not to broadcast the pre-game act. While Cox wasn't sighted on the broadcast, the national anthem was delivered by the daugher of rugby league icon Steve Mortimer. Erin Mortimer received widespread praise for her rendition of the Australian anthem with nerves not getting the better of the musician. One viewer wrote on X: 'Erin Mortimer, well done great rendition of Advance Australia Fair, thank you.'
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy fans slam famous singer who's performing at State of Origin decider - 24 hours before he even starts his set
Aussie country singer Brad Cox has been confirmed by the NRL as the pre-game entertainment ahead of the Origin series decider in Sydney - and many footy fans aren't happy. Cox, 30, is best known for his song Give Me Tonight, which has been streamed more than 12 million times on Spotify. Performing in front of 80,000-plus supporters at Accor Stadium will be a career highlight for the performer from Jindabyne, NSW - but some bemused fans felt the NRL missed the mark. 'Is this random the best the NRL can do? He doesn't even have a picture on his Wikipedia page,' one bluntly posted in response to the announcement. 'Surely you could've done better?' asked another. 'Ahh yes the famous Brad Cox,' added a third, sarcastically. Popular footy page NRL Silverback slammed the decision and pointed to Cox's Wikipedia entry as proof he shouldn't have been picked (pictured) Footy fans were scathing (pictured) following the announcement that Cox will lead the pre-game entertainment on Wednesday night Cox burst onto the Australian country music scene in 2018 with his self-titled debut album, earning two coveted Golden Guitar nominations. He has also promised a 'high-energy' performance. 'We are there to get fans fired up for a big game of footy, so we'll be playing accordingly,' Cox told News Corp. 'I reckon we are going to start a trend. NRL and country music go hand-in-hand, I think we'll be the first of many.' Meanwhile, both teams aren't expected to make any late selection changes, as the Blues look to go back-to-back after winning the 2024 series. In an ominous statistic, no Queensland team dating back 45 years has lost the first game and then gone on to win the next two games away from home. Queensland coach Billy Slater has confirmed Cameron Munster will play, despite the five-eighth leaving camp to be with his family following the sudden death of his father Steven on Sunday. Daily Mail Australia will have a live blog to follow all the action online, with TV coverage on Channel Nine from 7pm.
ABC News
14-06-2025
- ABC News
Australian snow tourists bringing own meals, tents and BBQs to cut cost of ski trips
Thinking of taking a trip to the snow this winter, but the cost of staying in a resort town and hitting the slopes is giving you chills? You're not alone. Here's how others have found ways to enjoy holidaying in the Australian Alps on a budget. High school mates Dylan Oakroot and Alex Marychurch sit under the pull-out awning of their SUV in a free campground and watch the rain pour down. Every so often, one of the pair stands up to push the growing pool of water off their canvas roof. There's a pool forming, too, in the corner of the barbecue, where some of the cheapest sausages the boys could buy are slowly cooking in the rain. It's snow season 2024, and what some might consider a dour situation is one of pure joy for the 23-year-olds from Brisbane. They knew doing it on the cheap was the only way they were ever going to fulfil their dream of visiting the snow. "It's our first time seeing snow. We've been dreaming about it for a long time. It's a bucket-list item," Mr Oakroot said. The boys will miss the 2025 winter season because of life circumstances, but Mr Oakroot said they would "definitely" make the trip again. "We plan to return next year, and maybe with some more people too," he said. Snow sports, and even just a day trip to see the snow up close, are becoming too expensive for many people. Mr Oakshot and Mr Marychurch are staying in a campground near Jindabyne, in the Snowy Mountains, rated one of the least-affordable towns in Australia in the 2023 Rental Affordability Index. House prices here have risen almost 150 per cent over five years, with locals being priced out of the town they grew up in as homes are transformed into short-term rentals. The population of around 5,000 quadruples to more than 20,000 during peak snow season as tourists head to the ski fields of Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass, which are all just a 30-minute drive away. Every night in winter, Jindabyne is lit up with fluorescent lights, as almost every store selling food or renting snow gear desperately tries to capitalise on the tourist boom. But most evenings, ravenous crowds descend on the only major supermarket in town, eager to feed themselves as cheaply as possible. And during the day, when one Instagrammer reported that a hot chocolate on the slopes can cost up to $17, many budget-conscious holiday-makers resort to bringing a packed lunch. One of the biggest expenses for Mr Oakroot and Mr Marychurch was the cost of fuel to get them from Brisbane to Jindabyne. But, Mr Oakroot said, some costs were unavoidable. Day passes to go skiing in Australia start from about $150, with membership deals pushing tourists to spend more on a seasonal pass. The mates are curbing costs by sleeping in a swag and a rooftop tent, eating a diet of sausages, eggs, cheese, bread and cheap steaks cooked in the drizzle, and relying on lighting a fire or simply rugging up to stay warm. "You've got more challenges you've got to overcome. You make more memories. It's a lot better." At another Snowy Mountains campsite, Wollongong's Judy Chang is playing with her young daughter, Skye, outside their teepee tent. "There's not really any other way to save money. You have to pay for a lift pass, so this is how we're doing it." Ms Chang was able to keep some costs down by raiding second-hand markets and op-shops, managing to pick up a second-hand ski jacket and snowboard for Skye. "They grow so quickly, and the second-hand market offers pretty new things," she said. Ms Chang also recommended purchasing a two-year car pass from National Parks because it was cheaper in the long run than the annual alternative. Her dream of having a yearly family snow trip was only feasible by cutting costs as much as possible, she said. "It's hard. Not everyone is into camping, and winter camping is tough, but it is super nice," she said. But tension is brewing in the town. Many locals are frustrated by the growing trend of BYO food and accommodation, with local cafes and traders feeling they're missing out on tourism dollars as visitors cut costs. Comments on the local Facebook noticeboard criticise visitors to the region who don't give back — those who don't buy a ski pass at the resorts, who bring their own lunch, who take up valuable car parks without spending in local shops. "80 per cent of the non-skiiers [sic] come up with a slow cooker full of rice and don't spend a penny on the resort or other food outlets up there. Sooner or later those businesses are going to go belly up," one comment says. "They need to stop all [visitors] taking a packed lunch up there in a full van taking a parking spot away from skiers whilst contributing nothing but park entry to the economy. Ban snow play and toboggans," another said. However, Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce president Olivier Kapetanakos said tourists trying to visit the snow cheaply was nothing new and was often a way for people to try out the snow before committing to a more expensive visit in the future. He said many such tourists returned in future years or even moved to the area long term. "Tourism is what it is," he said. "We have to take them as they are. Mr Kapetanakos said local businesses had learnt that three-or-so months of tourism could not sustain a year-round income and many had pivoted to new markets, such as hiking and mountain-biking. For Matt Boggas from the Sunshine Coast, a trip to the snow looks like snowboarding during the day, then sleeping in his car at night, cooking his own food, waking himself up with a swim in Jindabyne Lake, and trying not to drink too much. And if he didn't sleep in his car? "It would be ridiculous. It would be a lot of money – definitely unaffordable for most people our age [25]," he said. The local brewery sells 300mL beers from $9, while many choose to purchase alcohol to be consumed at home. BWS Jindabyne is the liquor store chain's top-performing store nationally during the winter months. When he's not on the slopes, Mr Boggas is dropping in at the local skate-bowl, just off the main street, which becomes a magnet for would-be snowboarders after the lifts have closed for the day, or in bad weather. As young people carve around on scooters and skateboards with music pumping, Mr Boggas says these people — many friends of his from the Sunshine Coast who make the pilgrimage to the snow annually — contribute something to the snow experience. It's what he comes back for each year. "The cost makes it super inaccessible. It sucks," he said.
