By Liam Mannix and Kishor Napier-Raman
Most Australians would probably never have heard of Maninderjit “Mannu” Kala.
But according to Instagram, the Indian-born businessman, who was named the Gold Coast’s young entrepreneur of the year in 2023, has a penchant for luxury cars and posing with Liberal Party politicians.
High Rollers: Maninderjit Kala with Greg Hunt, Alan Tudge and George Brandis.Credit: John Shakespeare
In a recent social media video, Kala is seen exiting a Rolls-Royce; later he rubs shoulders with former PM Tony Abbott.
Photos of Kala hobnobbing with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce adorn the feed alongside snaps of his McLaren. Oh, and Kala and chef Salt Bae.
“Purchasing expensive toys isn’t a display of extravagance; it’s an investment in expanding your mindset to exceed your own expectations,” Kala wrote in one post.
Maninderjit “Mannu” Kala (left) with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.Credit: Instagram
He can indulge in expensive tastes thanks to the success of his company, KnG Group. Its website says the business was “heavily involved in strategy and policy development in close association with the federal government, state & territorial governments” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The website says the company also had interests in vaccine booking platforms, and vaccine and testing hubs, and even manufactured test kits.
From those humble origins, Kala and co-director Dr Anuj Gupta seem to be piloting KnG towards conglomerate status, with fingers now in healthcare, education, technology and even security pies.
And KnG is emerging as a bit of a political player. In the past year, the company has donated $5000 to the Coalition and $5500 to Labor in Queensland. Meanwhile, Kala has drawn ex-pollies into his orbit, with former senior Coalition ministers Greg Hunt, George Brandis and Alan Tudge all featuring on the company’s advisory board.
Maninderjeet “Manu” Kala has a penchant for expensive cars.Credit: Instagram
Tudge, best known for a scandal-tainted stint in the ministerial wing, told CBD his work with KnG focused on “transnational education in the Middle East and India”.
As a former federal health minister, Hunt working for a healthcare company that worked with the government might raise a few eyebrows about the old revolving door. But KnG Group said it never received any federal health department funding.
“As we are continuing to expand our work internationally, including in health and education, their [the former MPs’] ability to offer strategic advice and their international standing was considered an important contribution to our advisory board,” Gupta said in a statement.
A spokesman for Hunt said all contracting during the pandemic was handled by the Department of Health via independent procurement units, and that the former minister “does not lobby on behalf of KnG”. Tudge also confirmed he had not met with the government about KnG.
The department confirmed Covax Australia – the KnG Group’s former name – was part of a pool of preferred suppliers for six months up to April 2023, but no contracts were awarded.
In the interests of content, we hope the trio learn a thing or two from Kala’s flashy, motivational social media posts.
“Rise and shine you sassy little taco,” says the text accompanying one clip of Kala exiting the aforementioned Rollie and getting to work.
“It’s time to kick the shit out of today. Pour yourself a cup of f--- yeah. And chase it with a shot of I don’t give a damn.” Good advice for us all.
SEASON UP IN FLAMES
It hasn’t been Richmond’s year. The Tigers are stone-cold last on the AFL ladder. Crowds are down. Arguably their greatest ever player, Dustin Martin, has retired. Their current best player, Shai Bolton, could also depart, along with several other stars. Perhaps the only person seemingly in no hurry to get out the door is outgoing CEO Brendon Gale, who will start in the top job at the Tasmania Devils next year.
Tigers star Shai Bolton could also be leaving Richmon at the end of the season.Credit: Getty Images
Things can always get better. A new AFLW season is about two weeks away and everyone knows pre-season is the most hopeful time of year. But things can also always get worse. For example, there could be a fire.
On Tuesday, Richmond members were notified via email there was a fire earlier this month at the Tigers’ club warehouse, which destroyed all the 2023 and 2024 membership products.
Look on the bright side, Richmond fans: at least there won’t be any new membership merchandise to, say, microwave, if the Tigers lose to Gold Coast on Saturday.
AXED AT THE ANKLES
Here’s a council story that has all the makings of a classic saga. On the eve of Australia Day, parties unknown took to the statue of Captain James Cook on the St Kilda foreshore with a hacksaw. The captain was hacked off at the ankles and toppled to the ground, leaving two brass boots behind. No one has claimed responsibility, but someone painted “The colony will fall” on the plinth.
The vandalised statue of Captain James Cook in St Kilda in January.Credit: X/@Madelaine_Burke
A fiery debate followed at Port Phillip council, which eventually moved to have the statue repaired and resurrected. But seven months since the vandalism, Cook is nowhere to be seen.
CBD has obtained a letter sent by Mayor Heather Cunsolo to the state government, addressed to Premier Jacinta Allan. It reveals the council is seeking $60,000 for the commissioning of “interpretive panels” to be installed alongside the statue – presumably to put the captain in his right context as a vanguard of British imperialism.
In the letter, Cunsolo writes that “despite repeated requests to Local Government Victoria, we have not received a funding pathway”.
“Council believes that reinstating the statue without these panels may significantly increase the risk of further vandalism.”
All this means the state government must now decide whether to pay to fix a vandalised statue.
So will the council get its money? Will Captain Cook ever be returned to his plinth? It all remains a mystery. The state government did not respond to a request for comment before deadline. Perhaps it’s easier just to remain silent.
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