Stumpy’s short shots

I HAVE never tried or wished to use this column in any way as a political football, and have no intention of starting now.

Getting that out of the way, offering a disclaimer to anyone wishing to interpret anything within this column as such, I ask the following question.

Did you know or were you aware that billionaire Gina Rinehart is Australia’s largest private sports benefactor, channeling over $100 million through Hancock Prospecting into elite sports like swimming, rowing, artistic swimming, and volleyball?

The financial assistance is directed through major financial support and direct funding.

Direct assistance provides personal scholarships and direct funding to athletes so they can train full-time without taking day jobs.

Medal incentives created the Patron’s Medal Achievement Incentive Fund, offering cash payouts for podium finishes ($20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, $10,000 for bronze) and a $30,000 bonus for world records.

Further, program and camp support funds national training camps, international event travel, and university partnerships (such as Bond University elite swimming scholarships).

However, as per normal, there has been historical and possible future controversy surrounding Ms Rinehart’s financial contributions and the methodology around them.

Ms Rinehart prefers direct funding as opposed to routing money entirely through major sporting administration bodies, citing a need for financial accountability.

There was considerable controversy surrounding her sponsorship, creating a ‘high-profile’ fallout for Ms Rinehart, and redirecting sponsorships — such as withdrawing a $15 million Netball Australia deal following player concerns over historical family comments.

Just for good measure, media restrictions have been placed on athletes receiving her private incentive bonuses at international events, like the current Glasgow Commonwealth Games, facing strict directives from team officials regarding public acknowledgements or naming her during media interviews.

Not to be perturbed, Ms Rinehart, through Hancock Prospecting, has a long tradition of supporting our country’s athletes.

Hancock Prospecting is the principal partner of four Australian sporting organisations, and as Hancock Prospecting’s executive chairperson, she has time to serve as patron of these four sports.

The beneficiaries are Swimming WA, Volleyball Australia, Rowing Australia and Synchronised Swimming Australia.

The underlying philosophy has a foundation in non-contact, dedicated sport competitors of Australia, who are outstanding role models and who proudly represent our country.

So, with all this incredible financial support from Ms Rinehart for Australian athletes, does she deserve to be highlighted in headlines reading “Rinehart deserves thanks of team … but swimmers gagged” regarding the current Commonwealth Games press conferences?

The situation has been exposed by none other than former track and field ‘golden girl’ Jane Flemming, the four-time Commonwealth Games medallist.

She said “the difference a lucrative podium pay-off could make to some of the country’s top athletes should not be underestimated.”

The hypocrisy of the situation is that Ms Rinehart hosted a star-studded, luxury seven-course dinner cruise on the River Seine in Paris for over 120 Australian Olympic medal winners, officials, and special guests in August 2024, following the completion of the Paris Olympic Games.

Obviously, the invited officials found no problems in accepting their invitation.

Guests were gifted and asked to wear gold-coloured Rossi boots (from the South Australian shoe company acquired by Rinehart) alongside team gear.

Blimey Charlie’ — how un-Australian is that?

I wonder if those officials and athletes who attended were permitted to thank Ms Rinehart for her kindness and generosity.