Peace in our time! Israel and the game they play in heaven seal a historic concordat

The Canberra Times, Wednesday:

One of the ugliest periods in Australian rugby history is finally over after the game’s officials agreed to an undisclosed settlement with controversial former star Israel Folau … (Their joint statement said:) “The Social Media Post reflected Mr Folau’s genuinely held religious beliefs, and Mr Folau did not intend to harm or offend any person when he uploaded the Social Media Post … While it was not Rugby Australia’s intention, Rugby Australia acknowledges and apologises for any hurt or harm caused to the Folaus.”

The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday:

(Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said): “No we didn’t get it wrong. At the end of the day we stood up for the values of Rugby Australia. The person that chose to breach the code of conduct was found guilty and his contract was ultimately terminated because of that. That stands up and continues to say, ‘This is an inclusive sport’. Behaviour and commentary of this type is not acceptable in our sport and everybody in rugby needs to be included, regardless of what their background is.”

Pithy “Pete” FitzSimons, The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday:

And so it is over.

Er, more Fitz:

From the point of view of resolving the many issues raised, however — and more particularly holding Folau to account for his damaging actions — it is singularly dissatisfying …

Janet Albrechtsen, The Australian, Thursday:

A team of the sassiest spin doctors can’t help Rugby Australia. They lost … It was an old-fashioned shellacking not seen since the Wallabies lost to England in the World Cup quarter-final this year … Australians who support Folau’s right to express his religious views, even if many — like me — disagree vehemently with his views. That, after all, is the real test of our commitment to freedom of expression, and religious freedom, in a liberal democracy.

Satirist-at-large Errol Parker, The Betoota Advocate, Thursday:

Rugby Australia reached a confidential settlement with wayward star Israel Folau … Castle and Chairman, Old White Man Number 6, blamed the whole thing on our Commonwealth’s legal system, God, outgoing Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, Rugby Australia’s marketing pigeon and other non-descript parts of the organisation. “Basically, it’s everyone’s fault but ours,” they said in unison. “As a board, we work tirelessly to grow the game …”

Nice timing. Deakin Law School conference, The future of free speech and religion after Israel Folau, December 7:

(Seven professors to present, including) Anthony Forsyth, Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University: Thou Shalt Not Make Public Comments which Damage the Business Interests of the Employer.

Australian National University news, June 10:

A high-profile legal dispute between Rugby Australia and sacked Wallabies star Israel Folau over alleged breach of contract looms as a “test case for ordinary employees”, according to ANU law senior lecturer Dilan Thampapillai. “I strongly disagree with what Folau wrote. However, the real test here is what it means for ordinary employees and their relationship with their employers,” said Mr Thampapillai … “Simply put, it’s (a test case about) the creeping power of the employer to increase your obligations to them while they don’t necessarily reciprocate,” he said.