Gina Rinehart has accused Netball Australia of virtue signaling after its players objected to her sponsorship contract due to her deceased father’s unpleasant remarks.
Her mining business, Hancock Prospecting, delivered the blistering rebuke as it announced the cancellation of a $15 million sponsorship agreement.
In 1984, the Diamonds national netball team voiced concern over derogatory remarks made by Lang Hancock regarding Aboriginals.
Indigenous player Donnell Wallam allegedly requested permission to wear the sponsor’s emblem on the team’s uniform, and her teammates supported her decision.
Hancock Prospecting stated in a statement, “Hancock and its executive chairperson Mrs. Rinehart believe it is unnecessary for sports organizations to be exploited as the vehicle for social or political issues.”
First, because sport is at its best when it is centered on good and fair competition, with motivated individuals striving for perfection to realize their sports aspirations and to represent our nation at its finest.
The second reason is that there are more targeted and authentic ways to advance social or political concerns without virtue signaling or self-promotion.
Hancock Prospecting emphasized that it had not required the emblem to be displayed on the sports jerseys and stated that it had made contributions to Indigenous communities.
“For instance, Hancock’s Roy Hill Community Foundation in Western Australia’s meaningful engagement with local Indigenous communities to address their actual needs,” the statement stated.
Thirdly, there are more effective ways to make a positive change.
‘For instance, Hancock’s comprehensive support for real initiatives like as Hanrine Futures — which are providing a real pathway for Indigenous students through education and into employment with a job guarantee at the end of their training if they so choose’
Offensive comment
Mr. Hancock made a disturbing remark regarding Indigenous Australians during a television appearance in 1984.
Mr. Hancock observed in the 1984 documentary film Couldn’t Be Fair, “The majority of the trouble comes from those who are no good to themselves and cannot accept things, the half-castes.”
“I would poison the water so that they were infertile and could not reproduce in the future; this would solve the issue.”
Mr. Hancock died in 1992 at the age of 82 and believed that assimilated Indigenous Australians should be left alone.
“Those who have been absorbed into earning a nice livelihood or wages in civilized places,” he explained.
Those who have been accepted into society, have accepted society, and are able to handle it, I would leave alone.
Nationals MP Matt Canavan and Aboriginal leader Nyungai Warren Mundine have supported Ms. Rinehart’s decision to terminate the sponsorship agreement.
Mr. Canavan tweeted, “Good for Gina for leaving the sport of netball.”
Why would she promote them without her logo? Gina is a national hero who donates her hard-earned fortune to numerous deserving causes.
I am confident that she will find more appreciative Australians to assist.
Mr. Mundine remarked, “It’s no surprise the netball association went bankrupt.”
The $15 million arrangement appeared to be a lifeline after Netball Australia lost more than $7 million over the course of two Covid-affected years.
Kelly Ryan, the chief executive officer of Netball Australia, confessed that she was “fairly concerned” about the sport’s financial stability.
She told Today on Sunday, “But at the same time, we have been absolutely upfront with the financial status of our sport throughout the course of the year and having incurred enormous losses in the last couple of years owing to Covid.”
“We are well aware of the current standing of our sport.” We have exerted a tremendous amount of effort over the year to ensure that this ship’s dimensions are optimal.
It is really disheartening to lose this financing, which would have accelerated our progress and strengthened our position.
In a statement released on Saturday, Hancock Prospecting stated that $15 million would have gone a long way toward giving players with the required support.
The statement added, “Hancock’s proposed sponsorship would have enabled a substantial wage boost for the players, which would not have otherwise been possible given Netball’s financial circumstances.”
The corporation has agreed to supply the team with short-term finance until it can seek another sponsor.
“Hancock and Roy Hill have informed Netball Australia and Netball Western Australia, respectively, that it will instead provide a four-month sponsorship, should they and their players wish to accept it, to continue funding the athletes and to assist Netball as it arranges alternative funding and sponsorships,” read the statement.
In a statement shared to Twitter by defender and president of the Australian Netball Players’ Association Jo Weston, the Diamonds expressed their support for Wallam.
The statement stated, “Reports of a protest by the players on environmental concerns and a rift within the playing group are false.”
The only problem that the players cared about was supporting our lone Indigenous teammate.
Together with Australian Netball’s Declaration of Commitment, we are entirely dedicated to the Diamonds’ Sisters in Arms legacy and the ideals it embodies.