Comments on: Kohler: rich payouts and poor politics http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/ now with extra source Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:41:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Phil T http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22050 Phil T Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22050 I agree entirely with Alan Kohler but he might have extended his commentary on yesterday's parliamentary shenanigins to include Joe Hockey's disgraceful behaviour when asking a question about the so-called RuddBank. At a time like this, to openly question a specific property development in central Brisbane and, while doing so, to accuse the Treasurer of some sort of skullduggery ['brown paper bags' etc] was surely the very height [depth?] of irresponsibility. Quite apart from the matter of jobs which was subsequently canvassed, is Hockey just too thick to realise that many people's self-managed superannuation funds have some exposure to this company and its developments, especially the one in question. Having a big Liberal buffoon talking the project down in Parliament is exactly what those people want eh? I agree entirely with Alan Kohler but he might have extended his commentary on yesterday’s parliamentary shenanigins to include Joe Hockey’s disgraceful behaviour when asking a question about the so-called RuddBank. At a time like this, to openly question a specific property development in central Brisbane and, while doing so, to accuse the Treasurer of some sort of skullduggery [‘brown paper bags’ etc] was surely the very height [depth?] of irresponsibility. Quite apart from the matter of jobs which was subsequently canvassed, is Hockey just too thick to realise that many people’s self-managed superannuation funds have some exposure to this company and its developments, especially the one in question. Having a big Liberal buffoon talking the project down in Parliament is exactly what those people want eh?

]]> By: Dr Harvey M Tarvydas http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22051 Dr Harvey M Tarvydas Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22051 I agree with a lot of what you say.<br />I listen to the parliament as do you unless your actually there and present.<br />I too am disappointed but I find it as clear as a sunny day to a winter storm that the opposition pollies performance almost without exception offends grossly in the way you describe while government pollies resort to it in bits or mildly with just a few exceptions that are worse. <br />On this subject you have to be (by the ‘scientific’ laws of psychology) at least somewhat biased to your constituents, the business community.<br />I also share with pc remorse for the absence of the 'spirit of bipartisanship or even a modicum of reluctant co-operation' and feel you (as a media person with more qualifications) should note that on a number of occasions Malcolm Turnbull was quick to clearly articulate with great detail the opposition’s absolute commitment to bipartisanship which immediately fades before he can demonstrate it with action once he has had a few fabulous headlines.<br />This has stopped as the media won’t be fooled any more and there will not be a fabulous headline in it.<br /> I agree with a lot of what you say.
I listen to the parliament as do you unless your actually there and present.
I too am disappointed but I find it as clear as a sunny day to a winter storm that the opposition pollies performance almost without exception offends grossly in the way you describe while government pollies resort to it in bits or mildly with just a few exceptions that are worse.
On this subject you have to be (by the ‘scientific’ laws of psychology) at least somewhat biased to your constituents, the business community.
I also share with pc remorse for the absence of the ‘spirit of bipartisanship or even a modicum of reluctant co-operation’ and feel you (as a media person with more qualifications) should note that on a number of occasions Malcolm Turnbull was quick to clearly articulate with great detail the opposition’s absolute commitment to bipartisanship which immediately fades before he can demonstrate it with action once he has had a few fabulous headlines.
This has stopped as the media won’t be fooled any more and there will not be a fabulous headline in it.

]]> By: pc http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22052 pc Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22052 Alan, <br />Can you ever remember a 'spirit of bipartisanship or even a modicum of reluctant co-operation' occurring when the coalition was in Opposition. The Liberal Party's 'born to rule' mentality prevents this from happening, although there was a glimpse of it early in Malcolm Turnbull's leadership before he was effectively shut down by the threat of Peter Costello. Having a lightweight like Joe Hockey as Shadow Treasurer doesn't help - his bluster about cats and dogs benefiting from the stimulus package was painful to listen to. Alan,
Can you ever remember a ‘spirit of bipartisanship or even a modicum of reluctant co-operation’ occurring when the coalition was in Opposition. The Liberal Party’s ‘born to rule’ mentality prevents this from happening, although there was a glimpse of it early in Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership before he was effectively shut down by the threat of Peter Costello. Having a lightweight like Joe Hockey as Shadow Treasurer doesn’t help - his bluster about cats and dogs benefiting from the stimulus package was painful to listen to.

]]> By: Bill Thompson http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22053 Bill Thompson Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22053 When the then Major General Peter Cosgrove commanded the force in East Timor in 1999, his pay was three and one half times that of a private soldier, Earlier, after the first Gulf War in 1991, the US senior General Norman Schwarzkopf directed a review be conducted of armed forces pay. For the United States with a force very much larger than Australia's, it concluded that its most senior general should be paid no more than nine times that of a private soldier. Surely in Australia the principle of a ratio of the least paid to the most generously paid could be a multiple of average weekly earnings, determined by a panel of shareholders, employees, yes employees, and adjudicated by the Industrial Relations Commission if needed. Finally it should be policed by the Australian Tax Office. The besuited corporate wolves need to be put on a short lead. When the then Major General Peter Cosgrove commanded the force in East Timor in 1999, his pay was three and one half times that of a private soldier, Earlier, after the first Gulf War in 1991, the US senior General Norman Schwarzkopf directed a review be conducted of armed forces pay. For the United States with a force very much larger than Australia’s, it concluded that its most senior general should be paid no more than nine times that of a private soldier. Surely in Australia the principle of a ratio of the least paid to the most generously paid could be a multiple of average weekly earnings, determined by a panel of shareholders, employees, yes employees, and adjudicated by the Industrial Relations Commission if needed. Finally it should be policed by the Australian Tax Office. The besuited corporate wolves need to be put on a short lead.

]]> By: Michael Taylor http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22054 Michael Taylor Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22054 Please, Alan,<br />Your suggestion that "all the best executives would immediately emigrate and we'd end up with ninnies" is absolutely outrageous. <br />To the average joe on the street, given the current situation, it would appear that the (greedy) ninnies have been in charge too long.<br />Maybe, just maybe, with reasonable and proportional salary and bonus payments, we could attract some CEO's who are in it for the passion, the challenges and the reward of running a succesful business for the benefit of all stake holders. <br />Instead of being in it for over-inflated, ego-stroking salaries and short term, high risk improvements to the bottom line. (what did happen to the triple bottom line? just talk while the money is good eh?)<br />Also to those arguing over labor v liberal, this was perfectly summed up in a previous thread with the comment "two cheeks of the same arse" Please, Alan,
Your suggestion that “all the best executives would immediately emigrate and we’d end up with ninnies” is absolutely outrageous.
To the average joe on the street, given the current situation, it would appear that the (greedy) ninnies have been in charge too long.
Maybe, just maybe, with reasonable and proportional salary and bonus payments, we could attract some CEO’s who are in it for the passion, the challenges and the reward of running a succesful business for the benefit of all stake holders.
Instead of being in it for over-inflated, ego-stroking salaries and short term, high risk improvements to the bottom line. (what did happen to the triple bottom line? just talk while the money is good eh?)
Also to those arguing over labor v liberal, this was perfectly summed up in a previous thread with the comment “two cheeks of the same arse”

]]> By: JamesK' http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22055 JamesK' Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22055 Only perversely partisan left wing Labor hacks could both agree with this Alan Kohler article and simultaneously rant about how unfair and dastardly the Liberal party is in general and Peter Costello is in particular: 'pc' following hard on the heels of Phil T.<br /><br />The Labor Party is the political party in government. Rudd and his office are already by now infamous in the area of media management and spin as has been reported by almost every media organisation in the country including Bernard Keane in Crikey: http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20080509-Rudds-media-management-on-notice.html and by Christian Kerr, Crikey's former Canberra political correspondent, in the Australian: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23662160-7582,00.html.<br /><br />Partisan hacks never allow facts or reason to get in the way of a good old prejudiced diatribe. Only perversely partisan left wing Labor hacks could both agree with this Alan Kohler article and simultaneously rant about how unfair and dastardly the Liberal party is in general and Peter Costello is in particular: ‘pc’ following hard on the heels of Phil T.

The Labor Party is the political party in government. Rudd and his office are already by now infamous in the area of media management and spin as has been reported by almost every media organisation in the country including Bernard Keane in Crikey: http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20080509-Rudds-media-management-on-notice.html and by Christian Kerr, Crikey’s former Canberra political correspondent, in the Australian: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23662160-7582,00.html.

Partisan hacks never allow facts or reason to get in the way of a good old prejudiced diatribe.

]]> By: JamesK' http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22056 JamesK' Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22056 @Phil T. Perhaps because companies behind Brisbane's stalled Vision Tower have contributed more than $500,000 to Labor Party? The Labor Part's investment portfolio is heavily geared to the banks as well. We wouldn't want their share price slipping either would we? Good job it's all in the interest of the 'nation'.....<br /><br />And I too salute Alan Kohler's article. Bang on! @Phil T. Perhaps because companies behind Brisbane’s stalled Vision Tower have contributed more than $500,000 to Labor Party? The Labor Part’s investment portfolio is heavily geared to the banks as well. We wouldn’t want their share price slipping either would we? Good job it’s all in the interest of the ‘nation’…..

And I too salute Alan Kohler’s article. Bang on!

]]> By: fehowarth http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22057 fehowarth Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22057 Yes it is all about spin. The biggest problem is that they believe their own spin. Yes it is all about spin. The biggest problem is that they believe their own spin.

]]> By: Andy F http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22058 Andy F Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22058 What would be achieved by leaving this to shareholders when the bulk of the shares in many companies are held in the name of nominees (e.g. bank custodians) who will be on side of the directors?!<br /><br />Another pointless proposal by this government. What would be achieved by leaving this to shareholders when the bulk of the shares in many companies are held in the name of nominees (e.g. bank custodians) who will be on side of the directors?!

Another pointless proposal by this government.

]]> By: Mike Osborn http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/03/19/kohler-rich-payouts-and-poor-politics/#comment-22059 Mike Osborn Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-22059 Excellent article particularly the description of the petty politics we are forced to endure on any topic. Your second paragraph says it all. Excellent article particularly the description of the petty politics we are forced to endure on any topic. Your second paragraph says it all.

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