By Kishor Napier-Raman and Stephen Brook
We begin with the trials and tribulations of controversial former NRL pundit Paul Kent, whose life has turned into a very public testosterone-fuelled train wreck.
To recap, months after being cleared of domestic violence charges last December, Kent was filmed in a drunken brawl outside Totti’s Rozelle this year, the bitter chaser to a long Saturday sesh.
Kent pleaded guilty to affray and was placed on a good behaviour bond, but not before his employers at News Corp – he was a high-profile columnist with The Daily Telegraph and a host on NRL 360 – reported they’d parted ways with him.
Kent hit back by filing an unfair dismissal case in the Fair Work Commission, accusing his employers of 24 years of undertaking a “sham” sacking and seeking reinstatement of unpaid wages and entitlements, plus compensation for the deterioration of his mental health.
In his application, Kent alleged that News had “tolerated or condoned the behaviour of other employees alleged to have engaged in misconduct over the course of their employment”.
In its response, the company said Kent’s behaviour was “especially serious in its character and consequences for the reputation of [News Corp]”.
But just as CBD was warming up the popcorn anticipating another blockbuster slinging match at the commission, we got word the parties had quietly and confidentially reached a settlement. The matter is now resolved.
“I’m not talking, mate,” was Kent’s response when we called on Wednesday before abruptly hanging up. We hadn’t even asked a question!
His lawyer, Henry Coventry, was slightly more forthcoming, telling us: “It is not appropriate for me to comment on the matter, and I do not intend to do so”.
Crickets from News Corp.
Kenty, meanwhile, could be looking at a big payday when he sells his Lilyfield home, which is listed for auction this month at a price guide of $3.8 million.
For his sake, hopefully that money doesn’t all go to paying the lawyers.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
Defamation lawyer Rebekah Giles was a surprise guest at the Melbourne Press Club this week and even chanced her arm at journalism during the traditional Q&A after ABC News boss Justin Stevens addressed the gathering at Crown.
We say surprising, considering at the same time, the biggest game in town was the defamation case brought by Liberal rebel Moira Deeming – a client of her firm Giles George – against Victorian party leader John Pesutto in the Federal Court.
Our colleague Sophie Elsworth from The Australian was the first cab off the rank with a question about Giles’ client Heston Russell, who secured a defamation payout from the ABC of about $400,000 and was in the news again after Seven’s Spotlight ran a story revealing audio of gunfire was added in error to an ABC online report, which was taken down.
“Hi, Sophie, thanks for your ongoing interest in the ABC,” Stevens said smoothly. Cue laughter.
Later, Giles rose to her feet. “Thank you very much for your speech; I thought it was excellent,” she said.
She then asked about editorial standards and the new code of practice, which she said had been watered down.
Stevens replied at length and turned on the charm: “For those who don’t know, Rebekah does a formidable job representing a number of individuals in cases against the media, including, I would add, Heston Russell.” No laughter this time.
As soon as Giles arrived, Stevens graciously met her, and the pair had a discussion.
“He did invite direct dialogue with me on that, which I will,” Giles told CBD. “I used to live in Glebe and, as a young person, went to protests against cuts to the ABC, so I am horrified to have to go into battle with them. It is personally deeply upsetting that an institution I regard so highly is a constant opponent.”
MR WORLDWIDE
Tony Abbott loves Hungary. And Hungary loves Tony.
The former prime minister has developed a close affinity with the Central European nation and its brawny arch-conservative leader, Viktor Orban. The pair posed for a happy snap in April during one of Abbott’s numerous trips to Budapest since being turfed out of parliament by the good burghers of Warringah.
Abbott was back again this week, appearing at a geopolitical summit entitled “Whose New World Order” run by the Danube Institute, an Orban-backed conservative think tank that lists the former PM as a guest speaker.
Abbott, a fan favourite, shared a stage with Donald Trump’s secretary of veterans affairs Robert Wilkie, best known for his past passionate defence of the Confederacy. It’s that sort of crowd.
DINING OUT
The few hundred corporate bigwigs gathered at the Hyatt Regency for Tuesday’s Business Council of Australia annual dinner were unmoved by the fire alarm that followed a punchy speech by the lobby group’s boss, Bran Black.
In fact, most people were having such a grand old time that the schmoozing continued well after dessert was served. CBD spotted billionaire Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes deep in conversation with Sky News’ Laura Jayes while Bridget McKenzie, one of the few Coalition types to even show up, was busy working the phones.
But we did clock a few early departures, with BHP boss Mike Henry spotted leaving shortly after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s speech.
We get it, they’re busy people.