Tag: Big business

Informed Comment

Big business cries poor on wages even as profits mount – Pearls and Irritations

Businessman figurine looking at the growth of stacked coins. Saving money for finance accounting.

Because they are so low-paid, and mainly part-time, these people account for only about 11 per cent of the nation’s total wage bill. So, as the commission says, the pay rise ‘‘will make only a modest contribution to total wages growth in 2023-24 and will consequently not cause or contribute to any wage-spiral’’.

But that’s not the impression you’d get from all the wailing and gnashing of teeth by the main employer group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It claims ‘‘an arbitrary increase of this magnitude consigns Australia to high inflation, mounting interest rates and fewer jobs’’.

 

Source: Big business cries poor on wages even as profits mount – Pearls and Irritations

Corporate Crime, Corporate Greed, corporate impunity

Big business facing steep fine increases amid crackdown

The overhaul of fines comes decades after they were first set.

Any fines handed out to corporations were a slap on the wrist and not really regarded as fines but investments toward greater profit. As are Lawyers, Accountants Professional Lobbyists, Media and PR companies.

A strengthening of consumer protections to be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday will raise the maximum fines levied on companies engaging in anti-competitive behaviour from just $10 million, or 10 per cent of their revenue, to $50 million or 30 per cent.

The government will raise the base maximum penalty, unchanged for decades, to stop companies from simply absorbing fines as part of the cost of doing business.

Source: Big business facing steep fine increases amid crackdown

LNP Government, Uncategorized

AI Unveiled: another propaganda service for Defence, big business and the Coalition – Michael West

AI Group chief executive, Innes Willox

Is AI Group just a front for big business and foreign weapons manufacturers? Michael West reports on the rise of government and business propaganda outfits who are suddenly mute when the subject turns to the delicate matter of who funds them.

Nobody would begrudge Willox and other lobbyists the right to their opinions. Again, the questions are, why are taxpayers subsidising AI’s profitable businesses and why are these things never disclosed in their prolific media appearances?

The left of politics too has its think tanks which tend to be faithful to the political creeds of either the Greens or Labor. Again, unlike some of the Coalition’s flag-wavers such as AI, ASPI and the NSW Business Chamber they don’t tend to enjoy lavish Government contracts, which are clear conflicts of interest.

The final point of disclosure is that in recent years, AI has increasingly represented Defence contractors. This is a further area for public disclosure as Defence spending has gone through the roof under the present government.

via AI Unveiled: another propaganda service for Defence, big business and the Coalition – Michael West

LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, Uncategorized

Three charged over record $1 billion Aussie methamphetamine haul | Stuff.co.nz

The Aussie drug haul is believed to be worth more than a billion dollars.

via Three charged over record $1 billion Aussie methamphetamine haul | Stuff.co.nz

Informed Comment

The experiment of government and business being hand-in-glove has failed – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The experiment of government and business being hand-in-glove has failed.

In the relentless pursuit of profit, businesses have reneged on their part of the social contract.

In the pursuit of endless growth, and pandering to big money donors, government has ignored its duty to act in the best interests of the people.

via The experiment of government and business being hand-in-glove has failed – » The Australian Independent Media Network

ATO

‘A mongrel bunch of bastards’: The small businesses being crushed by the tax office

 

Mark Freeman’s bright business idea earned him a government grant. But the tax office disagreed and hit him with a huge bill. Seven years and $750,000 later, he is still fighting for justice.

via ‘A mongrel bunch of bastards’: The small businesses being crushed by the tax office

Australian Politics, Politics

Government caves in to big business | The New Daily

EXCLUSIVE: The Abbott administration has dropped a major reform to competition law after big business allegedly threatened an anti-government campaign.

Source: Government caves in to big business | The New Daily