Sydney – Page 19 – Michmutters

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Karl, Jasmine Stefanovic seen on-board James Packer’s yacht in south of France

Karl, Jasmine Stefanovic seen on-board James Packer's yacht in south of France

Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine are the latest big names to be spotted on-board James Packer’s luxury yacht in the south of France.

The 54-year-old Australian billionaire welcomed the Today co-host, 47, his shoe designer wife, 38, and their two-year-old daughter Harper for a day out on the $283 million boat in newly-emerged photos taken last week.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, 41, also joined in on the fun, and was spotted with his rumored girlfriend, Jasmine’s younger sister Jade Yarbrough, 30.

The pair were understood to have been introduced by Stefanovic earlier this year, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph in July.

Earlier today Yarbrough, who runs an interior design company, uploaded an Instagram story with a photo of herself and Clarke strolling the streets of the French Riviera.

Meanwhile, Stefanovic is currently enjoying some time off-air, with co-host Allison Langdon being joined on the Channel 9 breakfast show by Nine reporter Charles Croucher.

Packer has been making headlines amid his lengthy stint overseas, which has seen him host a slew of big names on his yacht including actor and business partner Robert De Niro.

He’s also recently opened up about his new-found health kick which has seen him lose 33kg, telling The Weekend Australian in June that he was ready to start the “third act” of his life as he looks towards a return to Australia following a controversial period for Crown Casino.

“I’m roughly 130kg now and want to be back to 100kg by the end of 2022,” Packer told the publication.

Packer admitted that it “hasn’t been appropriate” to be in Australia amid years of scandals at Crown Casino – which he previously owned a major stake of – including staff getting jailed in China, and several inquiries which found the casino operator enabled money laundering and links to criminal gangs.

With the $8.9 billion sale of his company shares to US private equity firm Blackstone’s finalized on June 24, which saw Packer pocket an enormous $3.36 billion, he’s now ready to plan his return home.

“I want to swim with my kids at Bondi when we’re all in Sydney together next year and be 100kg,” he added.

On the love front, Packer has regularly been joined on his yacht by Danish model Josefine Hanning Jensen, who was recently identified by Confidential.

There’s no word yet on whether Packer and Jensen are romantically linked, or whether she will join him when he eventually heads back to Sydney.

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The Project’s Carrie Bickmore and Fifi Box check out of a Sydney hotel after a wild girls’ night out

Pajama party! The Project's Carrie Bickmore and Fifi Box checked out of their Sydney hotel on Friday after a wild girls' night out

They enjoyed a wild girls’ night out on Thursday evening in Sydney.

And The Project host Carrie Bickmore, 41, and radio star Fifi Box, 45, were seen checking out of the swanky Kimpton Margot hotel the morning after.

The two women shared a laugh as they rolled their suitcases to a chauffeured car.

Pajama party! The Project's Carrie Bickmore and Fifi Box checked out of their Sydney hotel on Friday after a wild girls' night out

Pajama party! The Project’s Carrie Bickmore and Fifi Box checked out of their Sydney hotel on Friday after a wild girls’ night out

Carrie and Fifi were dressed like typical Melburnians, both wearing black outfits.

Carrie looked incredibly chic in a knitted turtleneck sweater with a pair of black skinny jeans and black combat boots worn over the top.

Meanwhile, a hungover Fifi went for a more casual flying attire, wearing a baggy lilac top over a padded jacket.

Carrie and Fifi were dressed like typical Melburnians, with both wearing black outfits

Carrie and Fifi were dressed like typical Melburnians, with both wearing black outfits

She also donned skinny jeans and combat boots.

The night before, the pair appeared ready to cut loose with Carrie looking as youthful as ever and Fifi clad in a busty emerald dress.

The Gold Logie winner shared the snap on Instagram along with several others throughout the night, before revealing the next morning Fifi had a hangover.

Carrie looked incredibly chic in a knitted turtleneck sweater with a pair of black skinny jeans and black combat boots wore over the top

Carrie looked incredibly chic in a knitted turtleneck sweater with a pair of black skinny jeans and black combat boots wore over the top

The night before, the pair appeared ready to cut loose as they dressed to the nines

The night before, the pair appeared ready to cut loose as they dressed to the nines

It comes after Carrie’s recent return to The Project following her ‘family adventure’ in Britain, which some suspected viewers had been cut short.

Many had expected her to be gone for six months or more, and some even suspected she hoped to get a job in the UK, so they were understandably confused when she slipped back into her role on the panel without fanfare on July 11.

Fans of the newsreader had been in the dark about her trip, as she had never indicated a specific return date.

Carrie, 41, looked as youthful as ever and Fifi, 45, clad in a busty emerald dress

Instead, Bickmore simply said she was ‘going to be taking a few months off’ from April with her partner Chris Walker and their three children, traveling across Europe while being mostly based in London.

‘Chris and I and the kids are heading off on a family adventure together,’ she said at the time.

‘We’ve been wanting to do it for a while but lots of reasons, timing hasn’t been right, but we figure it’s never going to be the perfect time to go.’

The Gold Logie winner shared the snap on Instagram along with several others throughout the night, before revealing the next morning Fifi had a hangover

The Gold Logie winner shared the snap on Instagram along with several others throughout the night, before revealing the next morning Fifi had a hangover

It comes after Carrie's recent return to The Project following her 'family adventure' in Britain, which some viewers suspected had been cut short

It comes after Carrie’s recent return to The Project following her ‘family adventure’ in Britain, which some viewers suspected had been cut short

‘YOt’s something we really want to do before my son starts his final years at school so we’re doing term two in the UK. So I will be off for a couple of months,’ she added.

As it turned out, returning in ‘a few months’ is precisely what Bickmore did.

Yet during her sabbatical some viewers feared she would never return to the Channel 10 current affairs show, pointing to various ‘clues’ suggesting she was planning a more permanent move.

For example, Bickmore said she had been inspired by fellow Project panelist Kate Langbroek, 56, who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family.

Bickmore said she had been inspired by fellow Project panelist Kate Langbroek, 56, (right) who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family

Bickmore said she had been inspired by fellow Project panelist Kate Langbroek, 56, (right) who spent two years living in Bologna, Italy, with her family

Furthermore, Bickmore had sold her five-bedroom family home in Melbourne just days before announcing her extended leave.

Some fans speculated this was because she and her family were hoping to buy a place to live in England.

Yet none of these theories came to fruition, as Bickmore returned to The Project on July 11, just three months after jetting abroad.

Furthermore, Bickmore had sold her five-bedroom family home in Melbourne just days before announcing her extended leave. Some fans speculated this was because she and her family were hoping to buy a place to live in England. (Pictured with her family of her at Melbourne airport)

Furthermore, Bickmore had sold her five-bedroom family home in Melbourne just days before announcing her extended leave. Some fans speculated this was because she and her family were hoping to buy a place to live in England. (Pictured with her family of her at Melbourne airport)

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Manly Sea Eagles player split, Manly seven, Pride jersey, Round 21, Des Hasler, Daly Cherry-Evans

Manly Sea Eagles player split, Manly seven, Pride jersey, Round 21, Des Hasler, Daly Cherry-Evans

There is reportedly a divide in the Manly dressing room between the players who played in the Pride jersey and the seven stars who boycotted their crucial loss to the Roosters.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield believes there is a lingering resentment between the players that played and those that chose to put their beliefs ahead of the team’s final aspirations.

“I think there is a split,” Rothfield said of the playing group on NRL 360.

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“I think the players that took the field cannot understand why the other seven didn’t.

“I think the meeting yesterday cleared it up a little bit, but you can’t repair a split of this magnitude with a bandaid in a 45 minute meeting.

“I think when something as drastic as this happens when seven men pull out of a finals crunch match over a view and an opinion and the other guys are totally on the opposite side.

“They put their views and opinions ahead of a finals berth almost.”

Paul Kent also believes there is a split between the Manly seven and the owner who incorrectly said they would backflip on their stance in time for next season.

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Daly Cherry-Evans and DesHasler.Source: News Corp Australia

“What about the owner coming out and saying the players had gone back on what they originally intended, which they have heavily refuted,” Kent said.

Braith Anasta agreed with Rothfield that as a player he would be frustrated with the seven players who put their beliefs above a goal the team has worked for since pre-season in November.

“I agree with and I’m just thinking now as a player the majority of the playing group you train from November all the way through,” Anasta said.

“You put your body on the line every week. You put your heart and soul into it. You make sacrifices every single day.

“These players have got a few teammates who have made a different decision than the rest of the team and it can cause a divide and it seems to be that way.

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Jake Trbojevic and Manly players process the loss to the Roosters.Source: Getty Images

“It could derail their season. We spoke about it before the game that it could happen and it is possibly happening right now.

“There are no winners and losers here. The fact is it doesn’t matter what they are arguing over or have a split of opinion over. It can cause a divide and it seems to be causing a divide.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie has no doubt there is a rift between the seven players and the rest of the squad and it will take time to heal the wounds of the last week.

“There is divisions at Manly and anyone who tells you there is not telling a fib,” Ritchie said on The Big Sports Breakfast.

“The players that played were dirty on the players that didn’t play.

Sea Eagles players at training.Source: News Corp Australia

“They are trying to sort it out and understand each other’s religious beliefs and views, but there is a division there.

“You speak to one player and he will say we can move forward from this and you speak to others who say this is going to take a lot longer.”

Laurie Daley questioned how both sides of the split can come together with no common ground on the issue.

“You have got two parties that don’t agree and you talk about finding common ground, but where is the common ground in this?” Daley said.

How long will Carrigan get for hip drop? | 03:22

“There is no giving,” Ritchie replied.

“Both sides are quite staunch in their views. The players are dirty the others didn’t play and the seven players are saying, we are not backing down.

“To be fair to them they have been staunch from the beginning and have stuck tight through a lot of criticism, so they are not clearly going to apologize.

“I don’t know how one meeting is going to fix this problem at Manly.”

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Sports

Manly Sea Eagles player split, Manly seven, Pride jersey, Round 21, Des Hasler, Daly Cherry-Evans

Manly Sea Eagles player split, Manly seven, Pride jersey, Round 21, Des Hasler, Daly Cherry-Evans

There is reportedly a divide in the Manly dressing room between the players who played in the Pride jersey and the seven stars who boycotted their crucial loss to the Roosters.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield believes there is a lingering resentment between the players that played and those that chose to put their beliefs ahead of the team’s final aspirations.

“I think there is a split,” Rothfield said of the playing group on NRL 360.

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“I think the players that took the field cannot understand why the other seven didn’t.

“I think the meeting yesterday cleared it up a little bit, but you can’t repair a split of this magnitude with a bandaid in a 45 minute meeting.

“I think when something as drastic as this happens when seven men pull out of a finals crunch match over a view and an opinion and the other guys are totally on the opposite side.

“They put their views and opinions ahead of a finals berth almost.”

Paul Kent also believes there is a split between the Manly seven and the owner who incorrectly said they would backflip on their stance in time for next season.

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Daly Cherry-Evans and DesHasler.Source: News Corp Australia

“What about the owner coming out and saying the players had gone back on what they originally intended, which they have heavily refuted,” Kent said.

Braith Anasta agreed with Rothfield that as a player he would be frustrated with the seven players who put their beliefs above a goal the team has worked for since pre-season in November.

“I agree with and I’m just thinking now as a player the majority of the playing group you train from November all the way through,” Anasta said.

“You put your body on the line every week. You put your heart and soul into it. You make sacrifices every single day.

“These players have got a few teammates who have made a different decision than the rest of the team and it can cause a divide and it seems to be that way.

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Jake Trbojevic and Manly players process the loss to the Roosters.Source: Getty Images

“It could derail their season. We spoke about it before the game that it could happen and it is possibly happening right now.

“There are no winners and losers here. The fact is it doesn’t matter what they are arguing over or have a split of opinion over. It can cause a divide and it seems to be causing a divide.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie has no doubt there is a rift between the seven players and the rest of the squad and it will take time to heal the wounds of the last week.

“There is divisions at Manly and anyone who tells you there is not telling a fib,” Ritchie said on The Big Sports Breakfast.

“The players that played were dirty on the players that didn’t play.

Sea Eagles players at training.Source: News Corp Australia

“They are trying to sort it out and understand each other’s religious beliefs and views, but there is a division there.

“You speak to one player and he will say we can move forward from this and you speak to others who say this is going to take a lot longer.”

Laurie Daley questioned how both sides of the split can come together with no common ground on the issue.

“You have got two parties that don’t agree and you talk about finding common ground, but where is the common ground in this?” Daley said.

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“There is no giving,” Ritchie replied.

“Both sides are quite staunch in their views. The players are dirty the others didn’t play and the seven players are saying, we are not backing down.

“To be fair to them they have been staunch from the beginning and have stuck tight through a lot of criticism, so they are not clearly going to apologize.

“I don’t know how one meeting is going to fix this problem at Manly.”

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Entertainment

Commuters explode at anti-abortion preacher on Sydney train

Commuters explode at anti-abortion preacher on Sydney train

Footage of an American anti-abortion preacher being told to “shut up” by passengers on a packed Sydney train has gone viral online.

The three-minute clip, originally filmed in 2019, resurfaced again on Reddit this week where it has racked up tens of thousands of views.

Phillip Blair from Torch of Christ Ministries boarded the busy train at Martin Place on a Monday morning and began reading bemused commuters in the crammed space.

“Hello Sydney, allow me three minutes of your time if you don’t mind – I’m not here to offend anyone, I’m here to give you hope,” he says.

“We care more about saving the whales than we care about saving our unborn children.”

An argument is sparked when a man sitting nearby reading his book interrupts Mr Blair asking him to stop.

“Thanks, mate – thank you,” the man says.

“No, I’m not going to stop because I love you that much,” Mr Blair replies.

“You have no more right than anyone else on this bus [sic]just shut up,” the man says.

“Yeah, shut up,” another man standing up says.

Mr Blair continues preaching about Jesus Christ, before the man sitting down yells at him again.

“If you asked for our time we have the right to say no, we’re not giving it to you,” he says. “Why won’t you just shut up?”

“Because I love you that much,” Mr Blair replies. “Suddenly Sydney for your sin. Suddenly before it’s too late. There is power in the name of Jesus to save your life.”

The man tells the preacher, “I’m not forcing my opinion on everyone in this train, so why don’t you just take your opinion and keep it to yourself?”

“It’s not an opinion it’s the truth,” Mr Blair says.

He continues ranting to the passengers about sin.

Asked why he won’t keep his opinion to himself, Mr Blair replies, “Because I care about your soul. I love you.”

“I don’t care if you love me! I don’t know you,” the man replies.

“It’s a selfish world and you need to repent,” Mr Blair says.

“Who’s the selfish one here mate?” the passenger says.

“Who’s the one who won’t shut up with their opinion? How selfish is that? You’re the selfish one because you won’t shut up. Can you not see that? You’re forcing your opinion on everyone in this train. We are asking you to shut the f**k up.”

The train then erupts with cheers.

A woman chimes in towards the end of the video, “Shut up, you sound like such ad***head.”

In the video intro, Mr Blair wrote, “I always do my best to show godly love. Hearts in Australia have become hardened in a way I’ve never seen. My soul was very grieved by what happened on this train.”

The preacher received a similarly frosty reception from Sydneysiders in other videos filmed around the CBD.

Malcolm Frawley, the passenger dubbed “book man”, later spoke to The Project to reveal why he felt the need to stand up to Mr Blair.

“I think the trigger for me was hearing this loud voice start to talk about our unborn children,” Mr Frawley said.

“And I wondered whether there might be some women in that carriage who might not be interested in a conversation about unborn children that was being conducted by a man. But for me faith is a personal, maybe even private thing. If you or I wanted to sit down over a coffee or beer and discuss our beliefs that might be fine but I don’t want them inflicted on me, in public, when I’m trying to read a book.”

According to his YouTube channel, Mr Blair has since returned to the US.

In a recent video, Mr Blair says he has received a court attendance notice for preaching in Times Square, New York.

World reacts to footage of Aussies confronting US preacher

Viewers were quick to condemn the preacher for his actions as the footage went viral on the hugely popular ‘PublicFreakout’ Reddit thread this week.

“An American preaching to Aussies how to live a good life in a society that is 1000x fairer, safer, happier and better than any American society,” observed one man.

“Aussies don’t call themselves Christians but they happen to live by Christian principles of charity, compassion and acceptance. The complete opposite of most American Christians.”

“He knows that on the street people can decide whether or not they can listen to his crap. On the train they don’t have a choice – they are basically his hostages,” added another.

“He’s dripping with American exceptionalism. The entitlement of thinking you can go to foreign lands and preach to a captive audience. All while ignoring local customs.” he wrote a third.

Others praised the commuter reading a book for his no-nonsense response to the preacher, affectionately dubbing him “Australian George Lucas.”

Read related topics:sydney

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Bombshell claims made about cricketing great

Stuart MacGill has alleged he was held captive and demands were made for money. Picture: A Current Affair

A lawyer for two brothers accused of being hired “muscle” in the alleged kidnapping of Stuart MacGill has told a court that the cricketing great was a regular cocaine user and “actively” involved in a drug deal central to the case.

Richard and Frederick Schaaf are awaiting trial over the alleged abduction of Mr MacGill from outside his home on Sydney’s lower north shore last year.

The pair on Monday appeared before the Supreme Court in an effort to be danced while they fight the charges.

Their barrister attacked Mr MacGill’s credibility, arguing that he went willingly with a group of men to an abandoned house in southwestern Sydney and said there was no physical evidence that he had been brutally assaulted.

Stuart MacGill has alleged he was abducted from outside his Cremorne home. Picture: Adam Yip/Daily TelegraphSource: News Corp Australia

The pair have pleaded not guilty to charges of take/detain in company with attempt to obtain advantage, with the matter expected to go to trial mid next year.

They were arrested along with four other men, including Mr MacGill’s de facto brother-in-law Marino Sotiropoulos, after the former Test spinner alleged that he was taken to a Bringelly property.

He has claimed that he was threatened with a gun, assaulted and demands were made for money over a drug deal gone wrong.

The court was told on Monday that Mr MacGill allegedly introduced Mr Sotiropoulos – the brother of his partner Maria O’Meagher – to a cocaine dealer.

Mr Sotiropoulos has since been charged with a supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and will stand trial alongside the Schaaf brothers.

Mr MacGill alleges that a group of men forced him into a car outside his home and confronted him after the drug deal ended in a “rip off”.

The two men watched from Bathurst Correctional Center on Monday as their barrister Avni Djemal argued they should be released on bail ahead of a trial next year.

Mr Djemal said there was evidence that Mr MacGill had willingly participated in a meeting at the Bringelly house and agreed to look at photos in a bid to identify the drug dealer.

Mr Djemal said Mr MacGill was released at Belmore and allowed to get into a cab.

Richard Schaaf has appeared before the Supreme Court in a bid to be released on bail. Pictures: Facebook.Source: Supplied
Frederick Schaaf has pleaded not guilty to allegedly kidnapping Stuart MacGill. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied

“The evidence implies Mr MacGill to a high level. I’m surprised he’s not charged with the actual drug transaction that he says, in his evidence, ‘I had nothing more to do with it, I just introduced the brother-in-law, Mr Sotiropoulos, to a person who I knew used to sell drugs’,” Mr Djemal said.

“The gentleman, now a registered source, he says that this gentleman, MacGill, was an avid user of cocaine and said to be on it all the time or drunk or desperate for money.”

Mr Djemal further told the court that Mr MacGill had an “active” role in negotiating the weight of the drugs involved in the deal to the point that the dealer had offered him a gift because he “put this deal together”.

The Bringelly property where Mr MacGill was allegedly held captive. Source: 7 NEWSSource: Supplied

He further said there was no evidence to support Mr MacGill’s assertions that he had been punched to the front and back of his head, knocked to the ground and suffered a concussion.

Mr Djemal said the only evidence of any injuries was Ms O’Meagher saying she felt a lump on Mr MacGill’s head.

“He doesn’t have one physical injury after those events,” Mr Djemal said.

“If the hits to the front of your face have produced no lumps and you say the onslaught was to the front, the side, knocked you to the ground, how could that be?

“How could his word be that there was a kidnapping? What if he went, saw photos and got brought back?”

Mr Djemal argued that Frederick Schaaf should be released so he could undergo dental treatment because he was at risk of losing his teeth.

The hearing before Justice Richard Button continues.

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American woman living in Sydney reveals she NEVER uses handbrake when parking

The American driver known as Brit made the surprising claim in a now viral TikTok, and admitted she was shocked Sydney motorists relied on the brake so heavily

American woman living in Sydney is left baffled by the seemingly obvious action Aussies use to park a car – and she can’t believe we do it every time

  • US woman living in Sydney said she never puts on her car’s handbrake
  • She asked if other Americans did, noticing that most Aussies used the brake
  • TikTok commenters came out in force asking how she got her driver’s license
  • While others were amazed,’the car literally rolls away if we don’t use the brake’

By Jade Hobman For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A US woman living in Australia has revealed she never puts the handbrake on when she parks her car.

The American driver known as Brit made the surprising claim in a now viral TikTok, and admitted she was shocked Sydney motorists relied on the brake so heavily.

‘If you’re American, do you use the parking brake when you drive? Or when you park, I suppose?’ she said in the video.

‘Because I’ve never used one in my entire life. But I think everyone uses them in Australia.

The American driver known as Brit made the surprising claim in a now viral TikTok, and admitted she was shocked Sydney motorists relied on the brake so heavily

The American driver known as Brit made the surprising claim in a now viral TikTok, and admitted she was shocked Sydney motorists relied on the brake so heavily

‘And my boyfriend asks me to drive and I have to look at it and say ”Is it on? I don’t know”.’

She captioned the video: ‘They’re so safe here I love it’ but copped an onslaught of criticism from fellow TikTokkers.

‘How did you get a license to drive here? Handbrake use is in the driving test, you either get ticked or failed on it,’ one commenter said.

‘The car literally rolls away if we don’t,’ said another.

‘Yeah if you want to find your car where you left it,’ someone added.

Another said they were ‘flabbergasted’ every time they heard an American person say they don’t use a handbrake.

Brit later clarified that cars ‘are not just rolling away’ in the US, and said the parking brake was only used if the driver stopped on a hill.

She added once the car is put in park, it didn’t need the handbrake on.

‘When you put it in park, you can lean on it, you can push it, it doesn’t roll anywhere,’ she said in another video.

‘We don’t need to put the parking brake on unless you’re on a really steep hill – that’s what we’re taught.’

But many were still unconvinced.

‘Using the park break not only is a failsafe it’s to take away stress and strain from your gearbox/transmission,’ one commented.

‘My sister literally got run over by her own car. It was parked without the hand brake on,’ said another.

'Using the park break not only is a failsafe it's to take away stress and strain from your gearbox/transmission,' the man wrote on her TikTok post

‘Using the park break not only is a failsafe it’s to take away stress and strain from your gearbox/transmission,’ the man wrote on her TikTok post

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TikTok: US woman makes surprising claim about Aussie driver

TikTok: US woman makes surprising claim about Aussie driver

An American woman living in Sydney has divided the internet after claiming that she did not use a handbrake on her car.

The woman, known as Brit, claimed in a now viral TikTok post that there was no need to use the handbrake except in certain circumstances because cars weren’t “rolling away”.

“If you’re American, do you use the parking brake when you drive?” she said in the video which has been viewed nearly 500,000 times and attracted over 2000 comments.

“Because I’ve never used one in my entire life but I think everyone uses them in Australia.

“And my boyfriend asks me to drive and I have to look at it and say ‘Is it on? I don’t know’.”

In a later video, Brit, who describes herself as a “Midwest girl living in Sydney”, clarified that there was only one circumstance in which she used the parking brake.

“I don’t know if the cars are built differently or something. A few people have commented and said that American cars have some sort of anti-roll s*** that Australian cars don’t,” she said.

“But the cars aren’t just f***ing rolling away guys. When you put it in park you can lean on it, you can push, it doesn’t just roll anywhere.

“We don’t need to put the parking brake on unless you’re on a really steep hill, that’s what we’re taught.”

Her post split the comments section in half, with some questioning how she was able to drive safely’.

“Que?!?! I’m American and I use them EVERYTIME! How did y’all pass your exam?,” one user said.

“This is why we see so many videos of parked cars rolling into traffic in the US,” another added.

Another user added: “Using the park break not only is a failsafe it’s to take away stress and strain from your gearbox/transmission.”

However some users from the US said that Brit was correct.

“These comments are killing me… we only use them on hills. IDK if our cars are different or what but I would never just use it,” one said.

Another added: “ONLY when i’m parked in an incline. idk why people just use them to use them. it’s not necessary.”

Read related topics:sydney

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The Block: Elle and Joel quit because she ‘didn’t want to wear hi-vis for 12 weeks’

The Block's executive producer has accused 'quitters' Joel Patfull and Elle Ferguson (pictured) of throwing in the towel because they couldn't handle 12 weeks on a building site

The Block’s executive producer has accused ‘quitters’ Joel Patfull and Elle Ferguson of throwing in the towel because they couldn’t handle 12 weeks on a building site in country Victoria.

Julian Cress, the show’s creator who has overseen all 18 seasons of Nine’s popular renovation show, said the crew was blindsided when the Sydney couple downed tools during the first week of shooting in April.

While Elle and Joel insist they quit because of a family emergency, Mr Cress told the Herald Sun it may have been due to more superficial concerns.

The Block's executive producer has accused 'quitters' Joel Patfull and Elle Ferguson (pictured) of throwing in the towel because they couldn't handle 12 weeks on a building site

The Block’s executive producer has accused ‘quitters’ Joel Patfull and Elle Ferguson (pictured) of throwing in the towel because they couldn’t handle 12 weeks on a building site

He claimed Elle, a 36-year-old fashion influencer from Bondi, baulked at the idea of ​​donning hi-vis workwear instead of her usual chic wardrobe.

Mr Cress also cast doubt on the couple’s claim they were forced to leave the show to care for Joel’s ailing mother after she had a nasty fall at her home in Adelaide.

‘[Elle] It seemed a bit shocked that she was going to have to spend 12 weeks in hi-vis on a worksite,’ he said.

Julian Cress (pictured), who has overseen all 18 seasons of The Block, said the crew was blindsided when the Sydney couple downed tools during the first week of shooting in April

Julian Cress (pictured), who has overseen all 18 seasons of The Block, said the crew was blindsided when the Sydney couple downed tools during the first week of shooting in April

Mr Cress said he was impressed by the couple’s performance in the first challenge of the season, so it was ‘dumbstruck’ when they called him late on April 15 to say they weren’t enjoying themselves and feared the show ‘was not quite on brand for them’.

He arranged to have a meeting with them the next morning, but by the time he arrived at the building site they had already packed up and left.

‘They never spoke to any of us again,’ he added.

While the pair insist they quit the production because of a family emergency, Mr Cress told the Herald Sun that Elle (pictured), a 36-year-old fashion influencer from Bondi, baulked at the idea of ​​donning hi-vis workwear instead of her usual chic wardrobe

While the pair insist they quit the production because of a family emergency, Mr Cress told the Herald Sun that Elle (pictured), a 36-year-old fashion influencer from Bondi, baulked at the idea of ​​donning hi-vis workwear instead of her usual chic wardrobe

Mr Cress acknowledged Joel’s mother did have an accident in Adelaide, and confirmed production had paid to fly the couple interstate to see her the week before filming began.

But he disputed claims in the media that Joel and Elle only quit because they had been unable to get confirmation from producers that they could ‘come and go’ from the construction site in Gisborne to visit his ailing mother in South Australia.

‘I can understand why they did not feel they didn’t get an answer to that question, because they never asked it,’ he said.

Mr Cress added that The Block is always willing to accommodate teams during family emergencies, and once shut down production for an entire week in 2013 when the mother of one of the contestants fell ill.

The couple downed tools in April - just two days into filming and after the first challenge - after Joel's mother Trish fractured her neck during a fall at her home in Adelaide

The couple downed tools in April – just two days into filming and after the first challenge – after Joel’s mother Trish fractured her neck during a fall at her home in Adelaide

‘We are not the kind of program that says no to somebody going to visit a sick mother. We never have been, we never will be,’ he said.

Elle and Joel, a 37-year-old retired AFL player, downed tools in April – just two days into filming – after his mother Trish fractured her neck during a fall at her home.

The blogger later posted a cryptic message on Instagram hinting at their exit: ‘Wherever you are in the world. Whatever you are doing. Family always comes first.’

As reported by TV Week, The Block host Scott told the other contestants they left because the show wasn’t ‘on brand’ for them as glamorous influencers.

Mr Cress acknowledged Joel's mother did have an accident, but disputed claims the couple only quit because they had been unable to get confirmation from producers that they could 'come and go' from the construction site in Gisborne to visit his ailing mother in Adelaide

Mr Cress acknowledged Joel’s mother did have an accident, but disputed claims the couple only quit because they had been unable to get confirmation from producers that they could ‘come and go’ from the construction site in Gisborne to visit his ailing mother in Adelaide

He also said they had complained ‘the toilet paper was too scratchy’.

Like Cress, Scott wasn’t convinced by the team’s reason for quitting the show, saying: ‘Of course, family comes first on The Block – we’ve stopped production before when people have had family emergencies.

‘And of course, I wasn’t referring to somebody going to visit their sick mother… It was because they’d given us no reason.’

Scott previously said at the Logie Awards that Elle and Joel giving up so soon into the competition was ‘unAustralian’ and ‘p**s poor’.

Mr Cress said The Block is always willing to accommodate teams during family emergencies, and once shut down production for an entire week in 2013 when a contestants' mother fell ill

Mr Cress said The Block is always willing to accommodate teams during family emergencies, and once shut down production for an entire week in 2013 when a contestants’ mother fell ill

He told TV Tonight: ‘We had a 48-hour challenge to choose the house that you get and they scarpered after 48 hours. It’s something that’s never happened before.’

‘Forty-five thousand people applied to be on The Block and win life-changing money. These guys got on and they just couldn’t handle the pace after 48 hours,’ he continued.

‘Which to me is a bit unAustralian! Have a go! It’s p**s poor.’

As reported by TV Week, The Block host Scott Cam (pictured) told the other contestants that Elle and Joel left because the show wasn't 'on brand' for them as Sydney influencers

As reported by TV Week, The Block host Scott Cam (pictured) told the other contestants that Elle and Joel left because the show wasn’t ‘on brand’ for them as Sydney influencers

The couple made the difficult decision to leave the Channel Nine renovation show two days into filming, after Joel’s mum suffered the nasty fall.

The former footy star’s mother reportedly broke her coccyx and fractured her wrist.

A Nine spokesperson confirmed their departure to Daily Mail Australia, saying: ‘Over the weekend, we were surprised to have one of our new contestant teams depart The Block a few days into filming for the upcoming season.

‘We wish them all the best for the future and we’re excited to cast two new Aussies for the opportunity of a lifetime on The Block. The Block Tree Change will air as scheduled later this year.’

Their exit from The Block will be a major storyline in the first few episodes of the new season, which premieres Sunday, August 7, on Channel Nine and 9Now.

After their exit, Elle shared this photo to Instagram of their suitcases at Melbourne Airport, and wrote: 'Wherever you are in the world, whatever you are doing, family always comes first'

After their exit, Elle shared this photo to Instagram of their suitcases at Melbourne Airport, and wrote: ‘Wherever you are in the world, whatever you are doing, family always comes first’

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Sports

Stuart MacGill: Bombshell claims made about cricketing great

Stuart MacGill: Bombshell claims made about cricketing great

A lawyer for two brothers accused of being hired “muscle” in the alleged kidnapping of Stuart MacGill has told a court that the cricketing great was a regular cocaine user and “actively” involved in a drug deal central to the case.

Richard and Frederick Schaaf are awaiting trial over the alleged abduction of Mr MacGill from outside his home on Sydney’s lower north shore last year.

The pair on Monday appeared before the Supreme Court in an effort to be danced while they fight the charges.

Their barrister attacked Mr MacGill’s credibility, arguing that he went willingly with a group of men to an abandoned house in southwestern Sydney and said there was no physical evidence that he had been brutally assaulted.

The pair have pleaded not guilty to charges of take/detain in company with attempt to obtain advantage, with the matter expected to go to trial mid next year.

They were arrested along with four other men, including Mr MacGill’s de facto brother-in-law Marino Sotiropoulos, after the former Test spinner alleged that he was taken to a Bringelly property.

He has claimed that he was threatened with a gun, assaulted and demands were made for money over a drug deal gone wrong.

The court was told on Monday that Mr MacGill allegedly introduced Mr Sotiropoulos – the brother of his partner Maria O’Meagher – to a cocaine dealer.

Mr Sotiropoulos has since been charged with a supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and will stand trial alongside the Schaaf brothers.

Mr MacGill alleges that a group of men forced him into a car outside his home and confronted him after the drug deal ended in a “rip off”.

The two men watched from Bathurst Correctional Center on Monday as their barrister Avni Djemal argued they should be released on bail ahead of a trial next year.

Mr Djemal said there was evidence that Mr MacGill had willingly participated in a meeting at the Bringelly house and agreed to look at photos in a bid to identify the drug dealer.

Mr Djemal said Mr MacGill was released at Belmore and allowed to get into a cab.

“The evidence implies Mr MacGill to a high level. I’m surprised he’s not charged with the actual drug transaction that he says, in his evidence, ‘I had nothing more to do with it, I just introduced the brother-in-law, Mr Sotiropoulos, to a person who I knew used to sell drugs’,” Mr Djemal said.

“The gentleman, now a registered source, he says that this gentleman, MacGill, was an avid user of cocaine and said to be on it all the time or drunk or desperate for money.”

Mr Djemal further told the court that Mr MacGill had an “active” role in negotiating the weight of the drugs involved in the deal to the point that the dealer had offered him a gift because he “put this deal together”.

He further said there was no evidence to support Mr MacGill’s assertions that he had been punched to the front and back of his head, knocked to the ground and suffered a concussion.

Mr Djemal said the only evidence of any injuries was Ms O’Meagher saying she felt a lump on Mr MacGill’s head.

“He doesn’t have one physical injury after those events,” Mr Djemal said.

“If the hits to the front of your face have produced no lumps and you say the onslaught was to the front, the side, knocked you to the ground, how could that be?

“How could his word be that there was a kidnapping? What if he went, saw photos and got brought back?”

Mr Djemal argued that Frederick Schaaf should be released so he could undergo dental treatment because he was at risk of losing his teeth.

The hearing before Justice Richard Button continues.

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