A spokesperson for the Walkley Foundation told CBD it was “considering its position” after learning what Seven had paid for its “scoop”.
Seven,meanwhile,kept on spinning when contacted by CBD on Tuesday.
“We said at the time we were assisting Bruce Lehrmann with his accommodation costs. It was well reported back then,” a spokesperson for the network said.
“The7NEWSSpotlight report was rightfully judged by the esteemed Walkley Foundation as one of the top three scoops of 2023.”
We reckon those judges might’ve viewed things differently if they knew what it cost.
IN A PICKLE
In the already deeply cringe world of online betting companies,Picklebet punches well above its weight.
First,its key selling point in a saturated market is letting punters bet on e-sports. Clearly after a special sort of gambler. Second,Picklebet was backed by fund managerClayton Larcombe,recently reported to have spruiked a non-existent University of Sydney degree on his LinkedIn page.
After media coverage of Larcombe’s fabulist approach to the résumé,his PAC Capital was forced to close its e-sports gaming fund which held the Picklebet investments. At least he’s got the $33.5 million Bellevue Hill mansion.
On top of all that,there’s Picklebet’s intensely irritating social media presence,fronted byJon-Bernard Kairouz,better known as “TikTok Guy”. Kairouz,an aspiring influencer,achieved brief online fame during the hell days of Sydney’s 2021 lockdown,where he correctly “predicted” the NSW COVID-19 case numbers ahead of then-premier Gladys Berejiklian’s press conferences. He later started popping up at anti-lockdown rallies and avoided a conviction last year for encouraging people to breach COVID restrictions.
Clearly,Picklebet saw in TikTok Guy someone who could help hit their target market of 20-something males hopped up onJoe Rogan podcasts and disposable vapes,because they’re giving him the red carpet treatment.
Fresh from making videos about getting kicked out of Randwick Racecourse for some reason,Kairouz has been off in the US,making #content by annoying people at NFL games. A crossover truly nobody needed.
FESTIVE CHEER
We thought that the bunch of federal parliamentary crossbenchers,with theirLove Actually-themed Christmas party,had set the benchmark for naff this festive season.
But maybe we spoke too soon. Labor’s Social Services MinisterAmanda Rishworth and Veterans Affairs MinisterMatt Keoghhave set themselves up in open rivalry for whose office can lay on the Christmas schmaltz the thickest.
The battle is under way to decide whose ministerial wing Christmas decor is better,Rishworth’s or Keogh’s,in a battle they’ve dubbed “Rishmass versus Mattmass” and with all ballots cast requiring a donation to the Giving Tree Foundation.
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Whichever of the minister’s trees makes the most money wins one leg of the contest,with the best overall prize to be awarded on Wednesday morning by the Speaker of the House of RepsMilton Dick and Senate PresidentSue Lines.
And,what a job those two will have.
Rishworth has brought in a real tree and fake fireplace,going up against Keogh’s which has inflatables,plus baubles with his face on them.
God bless us,every one.
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