How’s this for a moment of levity in an otherwise turgid courtroom?
This week,Sydney silkArthur Moses SC - also known as NSW PremierGladys Berejiklian’s - appeared in the District Court for a criminal trial which is being held via an online audio-video link and without a jury. And,of course,the technology didn’t work.
When Moses dialled in,the AV link was playing up. The defence team could hear JudgeAndrew Scotting. Problem was,Scotting couldn’t hear the defence team.
The following exchange ensued.
“If you don’t object to the tender of the documents … can you give a sign such as a thumbs up?” Scotting asked the eminent barrister.
Moses responded with two thumbs up delivered in what he called a “Fonzie” style,in honour of the cool motorcycle-riding greaser in the fondly remembered classic comedyHappy Days.
It turns out Moses had to resort to the thumbs up method of assent - from hereinafter to be known as “The Fonz” - several more times throughout the hearing.
When proceedings wrapped up for the day,Scotting had a novel suggestion for Moses. “Perhaps tomorrow instead of robing,you should wear the uniform ofMarcel Marceau - a black and white striped shirt.”
Sounds good to us.
PIZZA SUPREMO
Jack Cowinjust keeps winning.
The Canadian-Aussie businessman last month had a satisfying victory when the Hungry Jack’s founder won a local bunfight with Perth’s Dog Swamp Shopping Centre over the ownership of a Hungry Jack’s drive-in. But it is his shareholding slice of publicly listed Domino’s Pizza where he has really hit payday.
Forget baking bread. The pandemic has clearly been good for lovers of takeaway pizza. Online sales were up a mouth-watering 21.5 per cent to $2.93 billion,while network sales soared 14.6 per cent to $3.74 billion.
This week the company announced a dividend is 85.1c a share,of which 70 per cent was franked. This meant that Cowin’s 23,066,390 shares earned him a payday of $19.6 million,
While Domino’s chief executiveDon Meij,with 1,800,001 shares,scored $1.53 million in dividend payments. As the saying goes,in a gold rush sell pans,in a pandemic sell pizza.
MAVERICK’S CAUSE
Neurosurgeon to the stars Charlie Teo faced the NSW Medical Council to fight for his right to continue operating on patients.
The controversial brain cancer specialist - who was unmasked during an calling into question his billing structure,his approach to treating cancers other doctors deem inoperable and inappropriate comments in the workplace - faced the medical watchdog on Thursday with full details of the complaints yet to be disclosed.
The Council has the capacity to suspend the surgeon from practice,impose conditions,or dismiss the complaints. Teo was expected to vigorously defend all allegations. But the colourful doctor’s practice isn’t the only fixture in his portfolio that could endure knock-on effects from the regulator’s probe. Teo still sits as a director of the Charlie Teo Foundation. Billed on its website as “different,game changing and pure Charlie”,the charity raises funds for cutting-edge cancer research and counts corporate lawyerValentina Stojanovska Cal,recruitment firm Heidrick and Struggles managing directorGuy Farrowand former Virgin Australia bossJohn Borghettion its board.
Prominent philanthropistKerry-Anne Johnston resigned in January and Australian Racing Group chief executiveMatt Braidresigned in late 2020. The foundation has raised more than $14 million since its inception in 2018,including donations of more than $2 million in the last financial year,in addition to a JobKeeper supplement of about $65,000. ActorRussell Crowehelped the cause in June with a fundraising drive in memory of his late fatherAlex Crowe,and a commitment to match every dollar raised.
So what does Teo’s latest date in the medical court mean for the charity? The charity is believed to be waiting for an outcome before deciding its next steps.
Teo did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Meanwhile,a spokesperson for the state’s other healthcare watchdog,the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission indicated it could be some time before the matters are put to bed. “The Commission has completed a number of investigations in relation to Dr Charlie Teo and these matters have been referred to the Commission’s independent Director of Proceedings. A further related investigation is being finalised.”
POOL PARTY
There’s been an exciting development on the home front for high-profile property executivePenny Ransom.
Woollahra Council planners are mulling a development application from the property boss to build a spa pool in the backyard of her home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Ransom is Investa Property Group’s chief investment officer,a position that carries responsibility for more than $12 billion of assets under management. In April,she was elevated to chair the Property Industry Foundation,handing the executive responsibility for the industry charity which supports a variety of youth and homelessness causes including the Salvation Army,Stepping Stones House and Wesley Mission.
At home in Woollahra,Ransom has proposed a spa to sit next to an existing swimming pool at the rear of the federation-style home. Planning documents estimate the build will cost around $34,000.
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