Charges Dropped for Rigged Australian of the Year Bets

Mr. Shannon is accused of being aware that sexual assault survivor advocate Grace Tame would win the 2021 Australian of the Year gong before placing bets.

Australian of the year Dylan Alcott greets Grace Tame at the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards at the National Arboretum on January 25, 2022 in Canberra, Australia. Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Charges against a man accused of placing rigged bets on the Australian of the Year competition have been dropped on mental health grounds.

A magistrate opted on March 13 to dismiss six charges of insider betting against Christopher John Shannon after he pleaded guilty to one of the counts.