Latest news with #Perrett
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Successful or not, NRL court cases shine spotlight on player safety
Struggling to comprehend his downward spiral after a life-altering training session now the subject of a multi-million dollar Supreme Court action, Lloyd Perrett was allegedly told there was nothing wrong with him. 'The plaintiff's mental health deteriorated by reason of his concern at his physical deterioration and how that would affect his future while at the same time being told by the Club's personnel that there was nothing wrong with him and that nothing could be done about it,' according to Perrett's statement of claim, lodged with the Supreme Court on Monday. Given he has just launched a legal action, Perrett has most certainly done something about it. As to whether there is something wrong with Perrett, and whether former employer Manly was negligent during a contentious pre-season workout at the Narrabeen Sports Complex on November 6, 2017, that is the $5 million question. Perrett claims he suffered exertional heatstroke, heat stress-induced seizure and psychiatric injury after participating in running sessions in which he was deprived of water. The former Bulldogs prop said he was never the same player or person after being in 'a comatose state for two days', and revealed he had considered taking his own life after his career was cut short prematurely. It's not the only league-related matter before the Supreme Court. Former Canterbury forward Jackson Topine is suing the Bulldogs, claiming he was subjected to 'assault' when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session last year. The Bulldogs have vowed to vigorously defend the matter. Meanwhile, over in the UK, more than 1000 rugby union and rugby league players have launched a concussion class action. Such lawsuits have raised fears that it's only a matter of time before doctors and lawyers kill off rugby league as we know it. However, it's important to distinguish between the concussion cases – which are facing their own challenges – and alleged negligence off the field. Only last month, the judge presiding over the concussion class action in the UK blasted the lawyer bringing the claim, accusing him of a 'complete misunderstanding of his responsibilities' and having 'a problem with the English language.' Senior Master Jeremy Cook said that medical records were missing in about 90 per cent of cases, in a huge setback for the plaintiffs. Closer to home, the most famous concussion case was brought by former Newcastle Knights winger James McManus. After seeking a $1 million payout, McManus said he was 'broken' after the NRL in 2021 stated the matter 'has been resolved in the Knights' favour.' The Australian Rugby League Commission has also withstood a legal challenge launched by premiership-winning prop Michael Greenfield over its handling of shoulder charges.
The Age
7 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Successful or not, NRL court cases shine spotlight on player safety
Struggling to comprehend his downward spiral after a life-altering training session now the subject of a multi-million dollar Supreme Court action, Lloyd Perrett was allegedly told there was nothing wrong with him. 'The plaintiff's mental health deteriorated by reason of his concern at his physical deterioration and how that would affect his future while at the same time being told by the Club's personnel that there was nothing wrong with him and that nothing could be done about it,' according to Perrett's statement of claim, lodged with the Supreme Court on Monday. Given he has just launched a legal action, Perrett has most certainly done something about it. As to whether there is something wrong with Perrett, and whether former employer Manly was negligent during a contentious pre-season workout at the Narrabeen Sports Complex on November 6, 2017, that is the $5 million question. Perrett claims he suffered exertional heatstroke, heat stress-induced seizure and psychiatric injury after participating in running sessions in which he was deprived of water. The former Bulldogs prop said he was never the same player or person after being in 'a comatose state for two days', and revealed he had considered taking his own life after his career was cut short prematurely. It's not the only league-related matter before the Supreme Court. Former Canterbury forward Jackson Topine is suing the Bulldogs, claiming he was subjected to 'assault' when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session last year. The Bulldogs have vowed to vigorously defend the matter. Meanwhile, over in the UK, more than 1000 rugby union and rugby league players have launched a concussion class action. Such lawsuits have raised fears that it's only a matter of time before doctors and lawyers kill off rugby league as we know it. However, it's important to distinguish between the concussion cases – which are facing their own challenges – and alleged negligence off the field. Only last month, the judge presiding over the concussion class action in the UK blasted the lawyer bringing the claim, accusing him of a 'complete misunderstanding of his responsibilities' and having 'a problem with the English language.' Senior Master Jeremy Cook said that medical records were missing in about 90 per cent of cases, in a huge setback for the plaintiffs. Closer to home, the most famous concussion case was brought by former Newcastle Knights winger James McManus. After seeking a $1 million payout, McManus said he was 'broken' after the NRL in 2021 stated the matter 'has been resolved in the Knights' favour.' The Australian Rugby League Commission has also withstood a legal challenge launched by premiership-winning prop Michael Greenfield over its handling of shoulder charges.
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Shark control funding boost to increase beach safety in North-East Australia
SYDNEY: The government of Australia's north-eastern state of Queensland has announced a funding boost for its shark control programme to protect beachgoers from attacks, Xinhua reported. Tony Perrett, Queensland's minister for primary industries, said on Sunday (May 25) that the state government would invest an additional AU$88.2 million (US$57.3 million) into the Shark Control Management Plan for 2025-2029. He said in a statement that the 2025-2029 plan, which commences on July 1, will combine "proven safety measures" such as shark nets and drum lines with innovative technologies, including drone surveillance and whale deterrent measures. Hundreds of mesh shark nets are deployed around Australia to entangle sharks and keep them away from popular beaches, while drum lines use baited hooks to attract and capture sharks. "Today's announcement is big and bold. It puts swimmer safety first," Perrett said. "We're striking the right balance between ensuring swimmer safety and maintaining a healthy marine environment, as well as upholding Queensland's international tourism reputation as a safe place to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world," he said. The new funding announcement comes after two fatal shark attacks at Queensland beaches during the 2024-25 summer. A 40-year-old man died after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing off the central Queensland coast in December and a 17-year-old girl was killed in an attack north of Brisbane in February. - Bernama/Xinhua
Sydney Morning Herald
25-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Qld to add lethal shark nets, drumlines to popular tourist beaches
The Queensland government is set to increase the number of shark deterrents at south-east Queensland and Bundaberg beaches, but the decision to use lethal methods that could be at odds with federal laws has attracted criticism. Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said on Sunday the $88.2 million boost to the shark management program over four years 'puts swimmers first', and was the largest funding increase in more than six decades. Perrett said the program would prioritise 'innovative technologies', including whale deterrents – steering the migrating mammals clear of the mesh shark nets – as well as research into local shark populations. 'This will be really valuable research that we do just to inform the number of sharks we have in our ocean and whether their behaviours are changing,' Perrett said. A dozen beaches have been considered for additional shark-deterrent measures, five of which would only see drone surveillance used. Seven of the earmarked beaches would use drumlines – anchored bait hooks designed to trap and hold sharks – shark nets, or, for three beaches on the Sunshine and Gold coasts, a mix of both. Beaches earmarked for shark-deterrent measures Drumlines: The Spit, Gold Coast Pacific Beach, Gold Coast Happy Valley, Sunshine Coast Coolum North, Sunshine Coast Peregian North, Sunshine Coast Elliott Heads, Bundaberg Moore Park, Bundaberg Nets: Pacific Beach, Gold Coast Coolum North, Sunshine Coast Peregian North, Sunshine Coast Drones: Rainbow Bay / Greenmount, Gold Coast Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast Tangalooma, Moreton Bay Elliott Heads and/or Moore Park, Bundaberg Agnes Waters Main Beach, Agnes Waters But animal welfare organisation Humane World for Animals criticised the decision, saying it could open Queensland's shark management program to federal scrutiny. Established in 1962, Queensland's program currently has an exemption from the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, introduced in 1999.
The Age
25-05-2025
- General
- The Age
Qld to add lethal shark nets, drumlines to popular tourist beaches
The Queensland government is set to increase the number of shark deterrents at south-east Queensland and Bundaberg beaches, but the decision to use lethal methods that could be at odds with federal laws has attracted criticism. Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said on Sunday the $88.2 million boost to the shark management program over four years 'puts swimmers first', and was the largest funding increase in more than six decades. Perrett said the program would prioritise 'innovative technologies', including whale deterrents – steering the migrating mammals clear of the mesh shark nets – as well as research into local shark populations. 'This will be really valuable research that we do just to inform the number of sharks we have in our ocean and whether their behaviours are changing,' Perrett said. A dozen beaches have been considered for additional shark-deterrent measures, five of which would only see drone surveillance used. Seven of the earmarked beaches would use drumlines – anchored bait hooks designed to trap and hold sharks – shark nets, or, for three beaches on the Sunshine and Gold coasts, a mix of both. Beaches earmarked for shark-deterrent measures Drumlines: The Spit, Gold Coast Pacific Beach, Gold Coast Happy Valley, Sunshine Coast Coolum North, Sunshine Coast Peregian North, Sunshine Coast Elliott Heads, Bundaberg Moore Park, Bundaberg Nets: Pacific Beach, Gold Coast Coolum North, Sunshine Coast Peregian North, Sunshine Coast Drones: Rainbow Bay / Greenmount, Gold Coast Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast Tangalooma, Moreton Bay Elliott Heads and/or Moore Park, Bundaberg Agnes Waters Main Beach, Agnes Waters But animal welfare organisation Humane World for Animals criticised the decision, saying it could open Queensland's shark management program to federal scrutiny. Established in 1962, Queensland's program currently has an exemption from the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, introduced in 1999.
