BREAKING OUT
Exciting developments with the Teals, the group of like-minded MPs who live in shared flats in Canberra and who had no qualms about storming the dance floor en masse at the Midwinter Ball in Parliament House. But they are not a political party!
The Teals are leaving their affluent inner-city constituencies and moving to the suburbs – the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. They are targeting Aaron Violithe Liberal MP who holds the seat of Casey with 1.5 percent.
Monique Ryanthe doctor with a 28-page CV, which the former Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will be the headliner of a “Big Democracy Night Out” event hosted by the group Voices for Casey at Mount Evelyn Public Hall on Thursday. Simon Holmes, a judge Climate 200 helped fund the candidate search.
DOG FIGHT
Artist Vincent Fantauzzo is one of our most famous portrait artists. He has painted the Prime Minister, exhibited worldwide, won numerous awards and a hotel in Brisbane is named after him. Oh yes, and he is married to the actor Asher Keddie.
Vincent Fantauzzo’s dog Sandro.
He is also the proud owner of Sandrowho just cost his dog owner more than $7,000 in fines, restitution and court costs after a morning walk ended in a fight.
Fantauzzo was found guilty in the Victorian State Magistrates Court of causing a dog attack resulting in serious injury and of breaching a dog control order.
Events spiraled out of control at 6:40 am on December 8, 2022, when Sandro, accompanied by Fantauzzo, encountered his dog Banjo while out for a walk on the corner of Inkerman Street and St Kilda Road in St Kilda.
The court heard that Sandro “bit the other dog’s leg but did not hold it”, causing cuts to Banjo’s leg.
Fantauzzo, who had defended himself at an earlier court hearing after denying the charges, was fined $1,000 without conviction, ordered to pay $2,001.93 in restitution to Banjo’s owner and $4,206 in court costs – a total of more than $7,200.
magistrate Mark Stratman dismissed two other charges and asked the famous artist if he was financially able to pay the money.
“I am self-employed, I am an artist and I have one or two exhibitions every year. My next exhibition is in November,” Fantauzzo said in court.
“I never really know what my financial situation will be until I have my exhibition.”
Fantauzzo said in court that he has no mortgage and pays $1,800 a week in rent. Other expenses include school fees for his two children, a nanny and rent for his artist’s studio.
Stratmann then asked if Fantauzzo had a partner, not revealing that he knew the artist was married to one of Australia’s most famous actors.
“My wife also works, she’s an actress. So her work is similar to mine, you know, from job to job,” Fantauzzo replied.
“Every year is different. So one year I could be doing well.
“I haven’t sold a single painting this year.”
Stratmann gave Fantauzzo 60 days to pay the money.
A lawyer for Port Phillip Council said the artist appeared in court with “white hands” but it was important to send a deterrent message to the public.
Mayor of Port Phillip Council Heather Cunsolo CBD said: “Court proceedings are one of the ways our council seeks to protect our community – including four-legged residents – from dog attacks and raids. It sends a clear message that we want our public and open spaces to be safe and for everyone to enjoy.”
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