Whilst ASIC has received the mother of all beltings in today’s papers for the failure to string up former One.Tel CEO Jodee Rich, more attention should be focused on the role played by Australia’s politicians and the Murdoch and Packer families.
Articles by Stephen Mayne 
Fairfax AGM: coming last and loving it
Guess what? I got 42 million Fairfax votes in favour of my board tilt! And, err, 1.37 billion against. Stephen Mayne on coming last.
Tilts, taunts, shaftings and media moguls
Yesterday’s Seven Network AGM produced the biggest booty of interesting exchanges that its billionaire proprietor Kerry Stokes has ever served up.
With Roger Corbett, it’s a question of character
Roger Corbett’s Christian values didn’t appear to count for much when the opportunity presented for Woolies to leap into the pokies business. Why is the anti-gambling Salvation Army associated with someone who actively supports pokies?
Another year, another Telstra rave fest
While the whole experience was very frustrating for shareholders who wanted to hold the board to account, the AGM was a PR success for Telstra, with minimum scrutiny of the board’s performance.
Expansive James Packer goes the full half hour
The man who used to like two-minute chairman addresses went on for half-an-hour at yesterday’s Crown AGM, boasting of PBL’s recent performance and making some pre-emptive attacks against the anti-pokies lobby.
Fairfax recruit highlights new employer’s no-vacancy rort
The so-called no-vacancy rule makes getting on a public company board impossible for outsiders. Forcing institutions to disclose how they vote will further expose the old boys’ network, starting with Fairfax.
When will News expose the Evans/Fairfax conflict, Terry?
With a Murdoch associate on the Fairfax board, the hands of News Limited commentators are tied, which is why commentary on Ron Walker leaving has been particularly quiet.
Fairfax knee-cappings and The AFR’s power lunch
The AFR Magazine today has produced its annual Power edition, which is a great read but misses a few key points.
Will Kirk’s $4 million farewell be the end of Ron Walker?
After six years on the Fairfax Media board, the last four as chairman, Ron Walker looks like he’s doing a John Howard in attempting to stay one term too many.
Kennett, Bracks, Jeffed — it’s 10th anniversary season
This is a big call, no doubt, but Jeff Kennett led one of the most reformist and revolutionary governments in any stable western democracy over the past 50 years.
Fourteen more join the billion dollar loss club
The numbers are in and it’s now official: 2008-09 was the worst profit season in Australian history. Who would have ever thought 14 different companies could lose more than $1 billion in a single financial year?
Profit season’s last day dross and $1 billion loss
The last day of the 2008-09 profit season — and what a shocker it was.
Will Packer use Stokes to get Rupert’s cash?
If James Packer really doesn’t care to be a media owner these days, then he’ll use stalking Kerry Stokes to lever a big price for his pay-TV assets out of Rupert, writes Stephen Mayne.
Greg Baxter escapes the Hardie blame game
The banning and fining of 9 blokes and Meredith Hellicar over the James Hardie debacle appears to have ignored the source of the original “fully funded” asbestos claims.
The Murdoch man on the Fairfax board: a screaming conflict
Fairfax board members are often very close to their competitor’s interests. But, for board member David Evans, his association with Murdoch’s BSkyB puts him in an untenable position.
Will Woolies give Labor $20m for pokies empire?
With Labor now effectively declaring the pokies business was damaging its brand, Woolworths has come to a major fork in the road.
Take a shortcut to riches with Alumina
Shareholders are set to reap dividends if they plunge money into Alumina shares this afternoon, writes Stephen Mayne.
RiskMetrics loses its spine on Westfield pay
How on earth can RiskMetrics recommend in favour of the Westfield remuneration report at Wednesday’s AGM, asks Stephen Mayne?
Time for Rupert to send spinner Greg Baxter packing
If there’s one criticism of Rupert Murdoch that stands out above all others, it’s his failure to set an ultimate standard of behaviour for those around him.
Secret Beijing voting business saves Sir Rod
Rio Tinto’s AGM in Sydney on Monday is all about treating small shareholders with utter contempt.
