Despite Morrison’s efforts to shut down the ABC critical media pressure, push, shove and “facts” do work. It’s why the ABC was established and why Morrison wants it gone. However on March 16th TND reported Morrison’s conspicuous oversight in not sanctioning the two Russians who had a 20% interest in an aluminum mfg plant conjointly owned with friends Rio Tinto. Today that’s been rapidly reversed after that fact was announced. Was ScoMo his usual slow self or caught out?
Two Russian oligarchs with ties to Australian aluminium manufacturing have been sanctioned by the federal government. Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg are named in a new sanctions instrument alongside nine Russian banks and a sovereign wealth fund and the entire Russian finance ministry. The Putin allies have significant stakes in Rusal International, which owns 20 per cent of the Queensland Alumina Limited refinery near Gladstone in a joint deal with Rio Tinto. The plant is one of the world’s largest, and hugely profitable amid a global shortage of aluminium and near-record prices. Until Friday, Australia had been conspicuous in not sanctioning either man, despite other Western nations imposing restrictions on them, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledging to stay in “lockstep” with allies.
olddogthoughts 