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Australia

John Barilaro pulls out of parliamentary inquiry into US trade job

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Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro has pulled out of today’s parliamentary inquiry, citing mental health reasons.

The upper house inquiry has been investigating Mr Barilaro’s appointment as senior trade and investment commissioner to the Americas.

He was scheduled to give his second day of evidence today, after first facing the inquiry on Monday.

“John Barilaro has informed the committee that due to mental health reasons he is unable to attend today’s hearing,” a statement from the inquiry said.

Mr Barilaro was due to face questions about what his girlfriend, Jennifer Lugsdin, knew about the lucrative US trade job he was awarded earlier this year.

Ms Lugsdin worked for Investment NSW — the body responsible for hiring people for overseas trade roles — when the Americas job was advertised.

Last December she was copied in on discussions about a media release calling for applications for the trade envoy position.

Before taking the role with Investment NSW, Ms Lugsdin was the senior media advisor for Mr Barilaro between 2019 and 2021.

A woman smiling
Jennifer Lugsdin was awarded a short-term role with Investment NSW in August 2021. (Supplied: Linkedin)

On Monday, Mr Barilaro expressed frustration about facing questions about his personal life.

Labor’s Penny Sharpe said she did not enjoy asking “uncomfortable” questions, but said it was necessary.

“Someone you were in a relationship with… was clearly aware of the various processes associated with the advertising and the nature of [the US trade] position,” she told the hearing on Monday.

Mr Barilaro withdrew from the New York-based trade role in June, saying intense media scrutiny made his appointment “untenable”.

The controversy surrounding his selection is now the subject of two inquiries and it led to the resignation of trade minister Stuart Ayres last week.

Although Mr Ayres is adamant he did nothing wrong, an inquiry by Graeme Head raised concerns he might have breached the ministerial code of conduct.

The upper house inquiry has heard Mr Ayres was not at “arm’s length” from the selection process.

Mr Barilaro resigned as deputy premier in October 2021, saying the pressure of public life had “taken a toll”.

He took a month off for his mental health in 2020 and said he thought he would never come back to politics.

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Sports

All Blacks v Springboks: Former winger Julian Savea hits out at ‘disturbing’ Ian Foster criticism

All Blacks v Springboks: Former winger Julian Savea hits out at 'disturbing' Ian Foster criticism

The gold rush continues at the Commonwealth Games, All Blacks defeated and Ian Foster’s job hands in the balance and a New Zealand one-two finish at the latest Indycar race in Nashville – Cheree Kinnear gives the highs and lows of the weekend’s sport all in 90 seconds. Video/Photosport/Sky Sport

Former All Blacks winger Julian Savea has hit out at what he believes has been an irresponsible and hurtful social media backlash against beleaguered coach Ian Foster.

Foster has borne the brunt of criticism over the past month for his team’s historic form slump, with news media, rugby pundits and fans all weighing in with myriad opinions as to what leadership mistakes he may have made.

However, Savea says some of that criticism has gone too far, especially on social media where opinions well outside the realm of Foster’s coaching expertise have been loudly voiced.

“Shocked and disturbed at some of the comments and remarks I’ve seen and heard about Ian Foster on social media lately,” Savea wrote on his Twitter account.

Former All Black Julian Savea says criticism of Ian Foster has gone too far. Photo / Photosport
Former All Black Julian Savea says criticism of Ian Foster has gone too far. Photo / Photosport

“In a country where mental health is a big issue, where 72 per cent of suicides are men and a high number of depression amongst men, you would think people would be a bit kinder and think about their words before they make remarks on someone’s integrity , appearance and character, especially when they don’t know them on a personal level.

“I’m ashamed that this is how a human is treated and dragged in the media here in NZ.”

Savea makes his point from a place of experience, having been through his fair share of social media strife; including death threats made toward his baby daughter while playing in France.

That was just one episode from a career he says was full of similar moments, with public judgment and criticism a constant in his time as a professional player.

“Been a constant up and down battle with mental health during my years as a rugby player,” he posted on Instagram in April, 2020.

“From the pressure it brings into my life and personal life to the judgment that is constantly being made about my career.”

Savea’s call for the public to back off when it comes to Foster echoes that of former Scotland coach Matt Williams who said following the side’s series loss to Ireland that the public and media response was embarrassing.

“Ian Foster has suffered far more public criticism and humiliation than any coach should be forced to endure for a sporting defeat,” he wrote in a column for the Irish Times.

“Not for the first time, the reaction to defeat by the New Zealand media and their wider rugby community has exposed a deep flaw of character. The treatment of Foster by his own community has been nothing short of shameful. As a coach, criticism comes with the badge but the personal vilification he has had to endure is simply not acceptable.”

Julian Savea (left) in happier times with Ian Foster in 2012. Photo / Photosport
Julian Savea (left) in happier times with Ian Foster in 2012. Photo / Photosport

Foster himself has conceded the criticism leveled towards him is taking its toll, telling media after the first-test loss to the Springboks last weekend that the evidence was plain to see.

“I’m going gray and my hair is receding pretty quickly. It’s never easy,” Foster told media.

He will be hoping, along with millions of New Zealanders, that the All Blacks squad will bounce back on Sunday in their rematch against the Springboks and the social media noise will quieten.

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Categories
Sports

NRL: Former Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden returning to club in new role

NRL: Former Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden returning to club in new role

Sport

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Andrew McFadden will return to the club he has once coached. Photo / Photosport

Former Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden is returning to the club.

The 44-year-old will take on the new role as general manager of recruitment, development and pathways.

His arrival will coincide with the departure of current football general manager Craig Hodges, who is leaving to pursue coaching opportunities in Australia.

McFadden has extensive background with the Warriors.

He arrived as an assistant coach to Matthew Elliott in 2013, then took on the top job when Elliott was sacked early in the 2014 season.

McFadden was in charge of the first grade team for three seasons – at a time that was successful by current standards – before he stepped down before the 2017 season.

But he stayed on as assistant to Stephen Kearney for two years, before moving to his current role with Canberra, working under Ricky Stuart for the past four seasons.

I have helped the Raiders reach the 2019 grand final and the preliminary final a year later.

McFadden also has an association with incoming Warriors head coach Andrew Webster. Webster was an assistant coach under McFadden at Mt Smart in 2015 and 2016.

“He has a great affinity with the club and with New Zealand,” said Warriors chief executive Cameron George. “He’s driven now to step away from coaching at NRL level and step into the critical area of ​​recruitment, development and pathways.

“We’ve invested heavily in development and pathways while being based in Australia for the last three years and we have even bigger plans in this space with our full football operation coming back to New Zealand from next season. Part of his role will be to identify and mentor young coaches in our system.”

Hodges had a close association with former coach Nathan Brown and was always unlikely to be a long-term prospect at the Warriors after Brown left the club.

“He has wonderful qualities and has made a fantastic contribution but he still has a strong desire to coach so unfortunately, with no position here, he is looking for opportunities in Australia,” said George.

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