a compensation payout should cover future medical costs and living expenses, not go towards paying for four tv sets, a pool table, a ride on mower, a gaming machine, model cars, and fishing gear this never dawned on a canberra man who was awarded more than $1 million in worker's compensation and spent almost all of it on these luxury items in just four months but now after blowing the cash he wants welfare too 9 news' a current affair programme told the tale of jason cooper a former tiler who was placed on a disability support pension and eventually awarded damages totalling $1,025,000 scroll down for video  an elaborate gaming machine is one of the luxury gifts jason cooper bought himself  the canberra man bought a beachfront house near bateman's bay on the nsw south coast for $410,000  it all began at an nrl footy match in 2006, where the canberra raiders were leading the brisbane broncos 14 6 at the break but things took a turn for the worse at canberra stadium during a half time promotional competition mr cooper was one of a few spectators chosen to take part in a competition where they had to catch a ball in a milk crate to win a prize, however he received spinal injuries during the event that he said prevented him from ever working again he received a payout of $1025 million after receiving his payout, mr cooper bought a three bedroom house near bateman's bay on the nsw south coast worth more than $400,000 a large selection of classic model cars was another expense that mr cooper splashed out on  a new ride on lawnmower made gardening a little easier for him  mr cooper also has an impressive collection of classic model sports cars  centrelink said he could not access welfare until late 2017 because of his huge payout  the main problem was that he blew the rest in four months on a variety of personal items, and now believes he's now entitled to welfare a current affair confronted mr cooper about his purchases, and he denied any wrongdoing ''so i bought a house for $410,000 you want me to go spend it on alcohol or drugs or gamble it away?' he told the interviewer 'a bloke got $3 million, mate, and blew it all away' as well as substantial legal fees that were taken out of his payment he also blames his financial mismanagement on not being able to access internet banking to monitor his spending mr cooper blamed his financial mismanagement on not being able to access internet banking  he was hurt after taking part in a competition where he had to catch a ball in a milk crate to win a prize as part of half time entertainment at a canberra raiders and brisbane broncos match in 2006  the canberra raiders have stopped all half time entertainment involving crowd participation at canberra stadium since mr cooper's accident  purchase of house (including stamp duty and legal fees) $409,000  ride on lawn mower $2,990  household items $2,887  haberdashery $575  television and telephone connection $410  blinds $690  microwave oven $350  ramps for lawn mower $296  car accessories $95  food $594  blinds $473  computer accessories $179  mobile telephone $199  gas connection $240  electricity (three months) $509  home and contents insurance $1464  car insurance $887  mobility scooter $5,500  fishing equipment $825  vacuum cleaner and steamer $859  mobility aid $850  trailer for lawn mower $199  outdoor setting $900  barbeque and gas cylinder $319  clothes and electrical appliances $1,200  pool table $1,025  computer $900  glass cabinet $200  plants and pots $335  garden hose $80  fire pit $280  coffee table $250  security system $790  linen, bedding, kitchen items $2,500  beds (2) $5,000  whitegoods $2,500  removalist $2,100  computer parts $469  televisions (2) and stereo system $4,500  car $9,500  repayment of loan (ms k ward) $4,000  repayment of loan (mr d gill) $20,000  solar power installation $5,700  total: $492,619  after receiving his massive payout centrelink said he could not access welfare until late 2017, but mr cooper wanted it now because he had run out of money he went to the administrative appeals tribunal to have the ruling overturned but they told him his purchases were ‘unwise, irresponsible and unnecessary decisions’ lawyer sam macedoni told a current affair that mr cooper failed to structure his compensation payout to provide for his future needs 'some of it is for medical expenses, some of it is for income you won't be able to earn and some for other reasons, so you just can't go and blow it,' mr macedoni said a current affair's grilling of mr cooper took a comedic turn when the camera man was nearly run over by a car as he followed mr cooper across the road mr cooper was placed on a disability support pension and eventually awarded damages totalling $1,025,000  mr cooper made it very clear to a current affair that he was hard done by because he could not receive any welfare  'come on mate you missed out on that i was hoping you’d get run over,’ chirped mr cooper to which the interviewer responded: ‘jeez, it might be another payout' ‘not for me – for you! … if you don’t f****** watch where you’re going!’ shouted back mr cooper the canberra raiders have since stopped all half time entertainment involving crowd participation
cooper jason cooper canberra raiders more than $400,000 1,025,000
jason cooper a former tiler was awarded damages totalling $1,025,000  he hurt his spine in half time entertainment at a canberra raiders game  he'd been trying to catch a ball in a milk crate to win a prize  mr cooper bought a three bedroom house worth more than $400,000  after spending all the compensation money he applied for welfare  a tribunal said he made 'irresponsible and unnecessary decisions'