Crikey has submitted 6 or our lists for a Walkley in the online category so these are the three serious ones on foreign ownership, journalists in Parliament and journalists working for Labor at the moment.
The Crikey Lists are a perfect example of how the internet can be used for interactive and expansive research that requires a lot of collating, editing and research.
Traditional media outlets do not generally have the space to publish such lengthy lists and the advantage of the internet is that these lists can be living breathing works that grow in front of the readers as they contribute.
The lists included in this nomination are as follows:
The Foreign Ownership list took a lot of research but the outcome was a stunningly powerful list that demonstrates Australia’s corporate failings with only 43 Australian companies generating more than $200 million a year in revenue offshore whilst there are 183 foreign companies turning over more than $200 million annually in Australia.
The Journalists in Parliament and ALP Spinners lists demonstrate the scale of the connections between the media and politics and better informs the public of these relationships as they digest political news.
The Drunk Drivers, Sportsmen in Trouble and Martyrs lists are a little more frivolous but it is still interesting to look at the totality of issues which are often reported widely in the media on an individual basis.
Australian Companies Generating More Than $200M Overseas
Company | Where | What |
Amcor | US | European,NZ,Asian paper |
AGL | NZ | gas assets |
AMP | UK | funds management and insurance |
ANZ | NZ and Asia | banking operations |
Amcor | European, NZ and US | paper and packaging |
Aristocrat | Global | poker machines all over the world |
BHP-Billiton | global | iron ore, diamonds, coal, oil |
Billabong | global | sportswear |
Boral | US | bricks, tiles, flyash, Asia plasterboard |
Brambles | global | Chep, Cleanaway and records business |
BRL Hardy | Global | wine |
Burns Philp | US and Europe | herbs, spices, yeast |
Commonwealth Bank | NZ and Asian | banking and funds management |
Computershare | UK, US, South Africa | share registry businesses |
CSR | US | building products |
Foster’s Brewing | global | wine and beer |
Goodman Fielder | Nth and Sth America | food operations. |
Honan, Dick | global | agricultural products |
Lend Lease | global | construction and property management |
Liberman family | Global | property, banking |
Macquarie Bank | global | property development, global trading, toll roads |
Mayne Nickless | Indonesia, UK, US | hospitals, express freight, security, pharmaceuticals |
MIM | UK and Argentina | Alumbrera mine in Argentina, UK smelting, coal |
News Corp | Global | Media |
NAB | UK, NZ and US | banking |
Normandy Mining | Global | Gold mines and base metal assets |
Orica | Global | Worldwide explosives business. |
Pacific Dunlop | global | Ansell and batteries |
Pacifica | US | car parts |
PBL/Packer | Global | chemicals, publishing, gambling, film production, cinemas. |
Qantas | Global | airline business |
QBE | Global | various insurance operations |
Ridley Corp | US | feedlot operation |
Simsmetal | UK and Asian | scrap metal operations |
Spotless | global | plastics manufacturing |
Telstra | Asia | PCCW joint venture in Asia |
Visy | US | paper |
Village Roadshow | Global | cinemas |
Washington H Soul Pattinson | SE Asian coal | pharmaceutical,property and fragrances. |
Westfield | US, UK and NZ | property development and management |
Westpac | NZ | banking operations |
WMC | Global | aluminium/bauxite operations |
Foreign Companies Generating More Than $200m In Australia Each Year
Company | Where | What |
ABB | Swiss | engineering, Redbank power station |
ABN Amro | Dutch | investment banking and funds management |
Accor | French | Manages dozens of Australian hotels |
Acer | Taiwan | computer hardware |
ACI | US | glass |
Adidas | German | sports goods and clothes |
AES | US | Victorian and Queensland power stations |
AIG | US | Insurance |
Air New Zealand | NZ | 50% of Ansett |
Airbus Industrie | European | aircraft |
Alcan | Canada | Gove alumnium plant |
Alcoa | US | aluminium and bauxite joint venture with WMC |
Allianz | German | joint venture with HIH Insurance |
American Express | US | card services |
Anglo America | South African | bought Acacia and Shell coal assets |
AOL-Time Warner | US | internet, magazines, film production, theme parks |
Astra Zeneca | UK | pharmaceuticals |
Axa | French | 51% of National Mutual |
Babcock & Brown | Global | bought AIDC |
Bass Group | UK | various hotels |
BAT | UK | tobacco |
Baulderstone Hornibrook | German | construction |
Bechtel | Belgian | power and construction |
Boeing | US | aircraft |
Bosch | German | electrical and car parts |
Bridgestone | US | tyres |
Bristol Myers Squibb | US | pharmaceuticals |
British Airways | UK | stake in Qantas |
British Telecom | UK | various telco investments |
Cadbury Schweppes | UK | confectionary and drinks |
Campbell Soup | US | control of Arnotts |
Canwest | Canadian | controls Ten network |
Capital Group | US | funds management |
Cargill | US | various agribusiness investments |
Carter Holt Harvey | US/NZ | forestry |
CED | US | bought cable company Metal Manufactures |
CGEA | French | transport,water |
Chase Manhattan-JP Morgan | US | investment banking |
Chevron | US | oil and gas |
Chemcor | US | chemicals |
Cisco Systems | US | software and telco systems |
CITIC | Chinese | Portland aluminium smelter, beef |
Citigroup | US | banking and financial services |
CMS | US | 50% of Loy Yang A power station |
Coca Cola Company | US | control of Coca Cola Amatil |
CS First Boston | Swiss-US | investment banking |
Daimler-Chrysler | US/German | cars and trucks |
DBS Land | Singapore | control Australand and Walker Corp |
Dell Computers | US | computers |
Deutsche Bank | German | investment banking |
Diageo | UK | drinks and spirits |
DRD | South African | gold mining |
Dresdner | German | banking |
Du Pont | US | chemicals and textiles |
Duke Energy | US | gas pipelines |
Edison Mission | US | owns Loy Yang B power station |
EDS | US | Commonwealth Bank IT contract |
Electrolux | Swedish | white goods |
Erricson | Swedish | telecommunication products |
Exide | US | PacDun’s battery business |
Exxon-Mobil | US | Bass Strait oil and gas |
Fisher & Paykel | NZ | white goods |
Fletcher Challenge | NZ | construction, forestry |
Fluor Daniel | US | engineering, plant management |
Ford | US | car manufacturing |
Fuji | Japanese | cameras, film, Subaru |
Fujitsu | Japanese | electrical products, cars |
General Electric | US | card processing |
General Motors | US | car manufacturing |
Gillette | US | shavers |
Glaxo-Wellcome/Smithkline Beecham | UK | pharmaceuticals |
Glencore | Swiss | various mining projects |
Goodyear | US | tyres |
GPU | US | Vic energy distribution |
Granada | UK | Seven Network stake, production |
Grand Hotel Group | Malaysian | various hotels |
Guiness Peat Group | UK | corporate raiders |
Hagermeyer | Dutch | Bought Pacific Dunlop’s electrical distribution business. |
Hanson | UK | coal and bought Pioneer |
Hawker de Havilland | UK | aircraft, defence, heavy engineering |
Heinz | US | food, Weight Watchers |
Hewlett Packard-Compaq | US | computers |
Hilton Corp | US | Jupiters casinos and various hotels |
Hochtief | German | control Leighton Holdings |
Hoechst | German | chemicals,food |
Homestake | US | Kalgoorlie gold super pit |
HSBC | Hong Kong | banking and broking |
Huntsman | US | chemicals |
Hutchison | HK | telecommunications |
Hyundai | Korean | cars |
IBM | US | computers,IT |
Illinois Tool Works | US | Bought Siddons Ramset |
Independent Newspapers | Irish | newspapers, radio, outdoor advertising |
Itochu | Japanese | mining, energy and engineering |
ING | Dutch | investment banking, insurance |
Johnson & Johnson | US | personal products |
Kelloggs | US | cereals. |
Kodak | US | film and cameras |
KPN | Dutch | bought TNT |
Kumugai Gumi | Japanese | hotels and property |
Kwok family | Singapore/HK | property |
Li Ka Shing | Hong Kong | bought SA power industry and Victoria’s Powercor. |
Lion Nathan | Japanese | brewing and hotels |
Lucent | US | backbone for web and mobile, bought JNA and owns One.Tel infrastructure |
LVMH | French | leather goods and drinks |
Malaysia Mining Corp | Malaysia | mining but no more Ashton |
Marriott | US | hotels |
Mars | US | chocolates, pet food |
Marubeni | Japanese | aluminium and mining |
Mazda Australia | Japanese | cars and bikes |
McDonalds | US | fast food |
MCI-Worldcom | US | telecommunications,Ozemail |
Merck Sharpe Dohme | US | pharmaceuticals |
Merrill Lynch | US | stockbroking |
Metro Cash & Carry | Sth African | controls Davids Holdings |
Microsoft | US | software, NineMSN |
Mitsubishi | Japanese | car manufacturing |
Mitsui | Japanese | iron ore through Robe River |
Motorola | US | stake in ERG, telecommunications |
National Express | UK | Vic public transport |
National Power | UK | Vic power station |
NEC | Japanese | Computers |
Nestle | Swiss | former PacDun assets and various other food businesses |
Nippon Steel | Japanese | iron ore through Robe River |
Nokia | Norway | mobile phones |
Norske Skog | Norway | newsprint and forestry after bought Fletcher Paper |
Norwich Union | UK | financial services |
NRG | US | power stations |
Obayishi | Japanese | tollroads |
Ong Beng Seng | Singapore | hotels, retail |
Oracle | US | IT industries |
Orlando | French | wine |
MPH | Singapore | Av Jennings home builder |
Mr CK Ow | Singapore | Stamford hotel chain |
Panasonic | Japanese | electrical goods |
Parmalat | Italian | dairy industry |
Pearson | UK | Grundy TV production, financial information. |
Pfizer | US | pharmaceuticals/viagra |
Philip Morris | US | food and tobacco |
Phillips | Dutch | Polygram, electricals |
Phillips Petroleum | US | Timor Sea oil and gas |
Placer Dome | US | gold mining operations |
P&O | UK | stevedoring, ports, cold storage, resorts. |
Primus Telecommunications | US | telecommunications |
Principal Group | US | BT funds management |
Ricket & Coleman | US | pharmaceuticals |
Rio Tinto | UK | Comalco,North and various other mining assets |
Roche | Swiss | pharmaceuticals |
Rothmans | South African | tobacco |
Royal-Sun Alliance | UK | insurance |
Rugby Plc | UK | controls concrete giant Adelaide Brighton |
Salomon Smith Barney | US | investment banking |
San Miguel | Phillipines | beverages (20% of Coca Cola Amatil) |
SBC | Swiss | investment banking |
Service Corp International | US | death industry |
Shell | Dutch-UK | oil, coal and gas |
Siemens | German | electricals and engineering |
Singapore Telecom | Singapore | bought Optus from Cable and Wireless for $14bn |
Singapore Power | Singapore | Bought Vic power transmission assets |
Spudman | US | bought PacDun pastry businesses |
Sony | Japanese | music,electricals |
Starwood | US | hotels |
Sumitomo | Japanese | iron ore through Robe River |
Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux | French | Pacific Waste Management |
Telecom NZ | NZ | AAPT |
Texas Utilities | US | Vic gas and electricity assets |
Thakral family | Singapore/HK | hotel chain |
Thames Water | UK | water |
Toronto Dominion | Canadian | discount broking and banking |
Toyota | Japanese | car manufacturing |
Unilever | Dutch-UK | detergents and ice cream |
UnitedGlobalCom | US | control of pay-TV group Austar |
Utilicorp | US | controls United Energy plus other energy assets |
VAW | German | Bought Kurri Kurri aluminium smelter from Capral. Is largest independent producer of aluminium car parts. |
Visa | US | credit cards |
Virgin | UK | airlines, mobiles, music |
Vivendi | French | Victorian public transport, publishing, water |
Vodafone | UK | mobile phone business |
Volvo | Swedish | cars |
Weyerhaeuser | US | bought $300m of CSR’s timber businesses |
Wrigleys | US | chewing gum, confectionary |
Yamaha | Japanese | pianos, motorbikes |
Yu Feng | Taiwan | 17 shopping centres |
ends
JOURNALISTS IN PARLIAMENT
Tony Abbott: The Bulletin and The Australian to Howard Cabinet.
Peter Andren: Federal Independent member for Calare was a local TV presenter in Bathurst from 1976 till 1996 and before that a radio news editor from 1968. You can see where he got the local profile from.
Ian Baker: the former ABC news chief of staff in Victoria was Agriculture Minister in the Kirner Government and gloated about creating the WorkCare monster. Flopped as an independent in the 1999 campaign in his old seat of Sunshine and now on the outer with Labor.
Craig Bildstein: The party boy former Liberal MP for Mildura was a regional TV reporter who took his eye off the ball and let Independent Russell Savage win his seat in 1996.
John Bowler: formerly of the ABC and now proprietor of the Golden Mail and ALP Member for Eyre in the WA Parliament.
Brian Burke: TV journalist to dodgy WA Labor Premier.
Eoin Cameron: From radio broadcaster to Federal Liberal backbencher and then back to 6PR and ABC Radio in Perth.
Alan Carpenter: Daily News Perth, Channel Seven, ferocious 7.30 Report presenter and then Labor Minister for Education in WA, just like Mary Delahunty in Victoria.
Bob Carr: The Bulletin and ABC news and current affairs to NSW Labor Premier.
Senator John Cherry: The recently selected Queensland Democrat senator is a former hack on Rupert’s Townsville Daily Bulletin.
Peter Collins: The former Liberal leader in NSW and state Treasurer was a Television journalist and researcher for 4 Corners.
Ian Cover: from 3AW broadcaster on the Coodabeen Champions to Liberal Upper House MP.
James Cox: Tasmanian Labor MHA for Bass, previously on 7EX in Launceston.
John Curtin: Was a journalist before becoming PM.
Alfred Deakin: Was a journalist before becoming PM.
Bob Debus: Energy Minister and Attorney General in the Carr Government who was an ABC broadcaster, Executive Producer of the ABC’s Department of Radio Talks and Documentaries in 70s.
Mary Delahunty: Labor’s Education Minister in Victoria was a former presenter of The 7.30 Report and 4 Corners reporter.
Bernie Finn: the two term Liberal MP in Victoria was a panel operator at 3AW before being an MP from 1992 till 1999. He briefly worked on air at 3AK on losing office.
Senator Mervyn George Everett: was a journalist before he took up law. Became Tasmanian Attorney General before becoming a Supreme Court and then Federal Court judge.
Joan Hall: TV Political Reporter and Radio Producer turned SA Tourism Minister in the Olsen government.
Gary Hardgrave: the Federal Liberal member for Morton always gets up on ABC debates and goes on about how he used to work there but we’re not sure if he was a journo or just fetched the coffee. However, he did work as a reporter on Channel 7 news and State Affair (current affairs show) in Brisbane in the 1980s and ran the student radio station at school in the ’70s. He was also a reporter on kids shows such as “Wombat” and “Rewind” and spent time with Sea FM on the Gold Coast.
Graham Healey: the former National Party Member for Toowoomba North lost his seat earlier this year, picked up a $48,000 a year pension and slipped right back into his old job as a DJ at radio station 4GR.
John Hyde: former sub on the West Australian and is now the Labor member for Perth in WA.
Richard Jones: Editor and/or Publisher of Simply Living Magazine from 1983-89 and is now Independent Parliamentary Nudist and Upper House Hippie in NSW.
David Jull: the axed Howard Minister for Administrative Services was a newsreader for Channel 0, (now 10) in Brisbane around 30 years ago.
C.R. Bert Kelly was a columnist before entering parliament (though not a full ‘journo’ I don’t think), and prolific writer during and after his time in parliament.
Rod “Elmer Fudd” Kemp: the assistant Federal Treasurer was a junior finance hack with the Age in the early ’70s, and even rubbed leather patched elbows in the Melbourne Stock Exchange with the late Chris Skase. His journalistic career is omitted from his Who’s Who entry, yet in the same entry he boasts about being a director of the Institute of Public Affairs in the ’80s.
Clare Martin: From ABC TV in Darwin to chief minister of the Northern Territory.
Eddie Obeid: Vice-President Ethnic Press Association of Australia: 1981-86, Publisher of El Telegraph to parliamentary backroom man for NSW Right and Fisheries Minister.
Steve O’Doherty: NSW Liberals shadow treasurer was on 2GB as breakfast show host a while back.
Alister Paterson: Victorian Liberal MP for South Barwon who read the Channel 10 News in the 1980s.
Phillip Pendal: the Independent Liberal MP for South Perth in the WA Parliament loves recalling his days at the Daily News.
Mike Rann: The Labor opposition leader in SA is a former television journalist.
Dianne Reilly: Labor member for Mudgeeraba in Queensland is a former journalist.
Jillian Skinner: Shadow health spokesperson for Health in NSW who worked on the Melbourne Herald, Radio Hong Kong, The Associated Press, Sunday Australian.
Ray Sherry (Nick’s dad) was Member for Franklin from 1966 to 1975 and before that a journalist.
John Tingle: The Shooters Party member of the NSW Upper House was an announcer on 2GB.
Robert Webster: NSW Liberal pollie who was a former ABC newsreader.
ENDS
Journalists working for Labor
With Labor looking set to sweep to power everywhere in Australia, the numbers of journos working for Labor government will hit record levels. Before the change of governments Federally and in South Australia we want to get a fist on exactly who are the journos currently spinning for or advising Labor governments.
FEDERAL LABOR SPINNERS (5)
Geoff Walsh: ex Border Mail, Melbourne Sun and Fin Review and now ALP national secretary.
Greg Turnbull: ex SMH cadet and ABC TV Gallery reporter and now Beazley’s chief spinner.
Amanda Buckley: ex SMH cadet, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Age before joining DFAT and Beazley.
Tracey Aubin: Beazley’s spinner who worked for the SMH and The Australian’s Canberra bureau.
Kylie Johnson: just joined the ALP national secretariat from 2GB.
CARR GOVT SPINNERS (14)
Eric Aubert: from the Newcastle Herald to Lefty AG Bob Debus
Jodie Brough: from SMH
Julie Delvecchio ex SMH
Eamonn Fitzpatrick, ex-SMH police reporter and now with Paul Whelan
Anthony Flannery: Channel Nine soon to be Aquilina’s main dude. Sandra Harvey: SMH
Amanda Lampe: The West Australian
Jim Maher: Channel 7
Donna Mulhearn: Maitland Mercury now with Aquilina
Andrew Plumley: 2GB
Lisa McLean Carl Scully’s spinner who came from 7.30 Report.
Toni Rankin: Channel 7 now with Refshauge
Will Secord: Jewish News and a Canadian tabloid to Carr’s personal staff
Kate Woods: Bob Debus’s PR but formerly with a community newspaper in Sydney’s inner west
BEATTIE GOVERNMENT SPINNERS (23)
John Algate (ex Channel 10)
Bernadette Alizart (ex 4BC)
Shari Armistead (ex 10)
Steve Bishop (ex the Sun – some years back)
Lorann Downer (ex ABC)
Ruth Evans (ex Cairns Post)
Caroline Fisher (ex ABC)
Steve Keating ex Toowoomba Chronicle
Fiona Kennedy (ex The Australian)
Paul Lynch (ex Australian – some years back)
Lindsay Marshall (ex ABC)
Ellen McIntyre (ex ABC)
Ross McSwain (ex Channel 9)
Greg Milne (ex ABC)
Russ Morgan (ex CH 10)
Michael O’Meara (ex Fin Review)
John Ross (ex Channel 10)
Steve Rous (ex Courier-Mail)
Leisa “Fluffy” Schultz (ex Ch 7)
David Smith (ex Gold Coast Bulletin but he also worked for Coalition)
Alexandra Thompson (ex ABC)
Alexandra Wake (ex ABC)
BRACKS GOVT SPINNERS (9)
Anthony Carbines: ex Geelong Advertiser to Bronwyn Pike
Paul Conroy: ex Age to IR with Monica Gould and Local Govt with Bob Cameron.
Sally Gibson: ex somewhere to Environment Minister Sherryl Garbutt.
Ben Hart: ex Herald Sun to suburbans.
Tom Laurie: a regional outlet to John Brumby’s regional development gig. Sharon McCrohan: ex Aussie Post editor
Matthew Phelan: ex Herald Sun
Sandra McKay: ex AAP and Age
Tim Mitchell (ex Channel 10 Melbourne)
Rebecca Nicholson: somewhere to Sharon’s deputy on Bracks.
Jacinta Reddan: The Sun to PR and now John Pantsoffalot and Justin Madden.
Nick Reece: somewhere to Treasurer John Brumby.
David Saunderson: ex Geelong Advertiser and also on Geelong Council
Jane Wilson: ex Channel Ten to Steve Bracks.
Tim Winkler: The Age to Community Services minister Christine Campbell and Bronwyn Pike.
GALLOP GOVT SPINNERS AND OTHER STAFFERS (13)
John Arthur: ex Daily News, then Carmen Lawrence spinner, exiled by Libs and now Gallop’s chief of media monitoring. Kieran Murphy – worked for him in oppn.
Grahame Armstrong – from Sunday Times (COS)
Darren Foster – from Carmen Lawrence, native title tribunal
Mike Marren – from Geraldton Guardian
Julie Cole – worked for previous govt.
Steve Manchee – worked for previous govt and before that The West Australian
Owen Cole – worked for Court government
Fran Hodge – as above, and from The West before that
Amanda O’brien – worked for Labor last time
John Carey – channel 7
Kerri Welham – Sunday Times
Melissa Robinson – Tony Blair’s staff
Kerri Welham – from Sunday Times to Alannah McTiernan.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Randall Ashbourne – ex Channel 7 is helping out Opposition leader Mike Rann.
TASMANIA
Tracey Annear: former ABC Hobart reporter, now Ministerial handler.
Ian Colvin: former newspaper reporter (The Mercury among others), now Deputy Premier’s media secretary and in charge of the Govt Media Office.
Linda Hornsey: Secretary of the Department of Premier & Cabinet, former newspaper journalist.
Ken Jeffreys: former ABC radio political reporter, now Head of Government Communications.
Mike Lester: former State Political Reporter for the Hobart Mercury, is now on Premier Jim Bacon’s staff
Julie Pellas: former ABC radio political reporter and Burnie Advocate, (she replaced Ken Jeffreys!), now Premier’s media secretary.
Mark Thomas: ex Launceston Examine and former WIN television sports reporters and author of David Boon biography, now Ministeral handler.
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