Labor senator Sam Dastyari claims 10 companies have taken control of Australian politics

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Dry Rot

Dry Rot

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Article is worth a read.

"[But] none of that braced me for an understanding of just how concentrated, brutal and aggressive a handful of businesses operate [in Australia], and the real corporate power where it actually rests in this country," he said.

He then claimed there are 10 companies that wield the most incredible amount of power in Australia, to the point where it has stifled proper democratic and economic progress.

"Four banks, and we all know who they are – the Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, and ANZ – three big mining companies, in Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, and Fortescue Metals, you've got your two big grocery chains, and you've got your big telco, which is Telstra," Mr Dastyari said. They have "unprecedented concentration of corporate influence" in Australia, he said.
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http://www.smh.com.au/federal-polit...ralias-political-process-20160205-gmmy30.html

Anyone here disagree?

For mine, only moot point is that it is hardly a recent development.
 
lol at Dasher Dastyari, former ALP faceless man/powerbroker and now member of the unelected swill, lecturing anyone on being undemocratic after his role in the ousting of Rudd. He's probably seen some of the success Sanders has had in the US and thinks he can ride on some of that anger too. I'd be very surprised if anything comes from this, it's just a cheap soundbite from the ALP's leading dial a quote.
 

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The majority of Australians will sit back do nothing,cop it up the arse and blame the unions. Oh for this country to get a true leader where the balance between bosses and workers can be managed fairly.
 
Schraderbrau said:
lol at Dasher Dastyari, former ALP faceless man/powerbroker and now member of the unelected swill, lecturing anyone on being undemocratic after his role in the ousting of Rudd. He's probably seen some of the success Sanders has had in the US and thinks he can ride on some of that anger too. I'd be very surprised if anything comes from this, it's just a cheap soundbite from the ALP's leading dial a quote.
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Oh dear, are we still talking about Rudd? Get over it.
 

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Power Raid said:
I can't see fmg holding a great deal of power. It probably won't go bankrupt but it will be a massive restructure. Given that's the case, I don't see its power or influence.
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Don't underestimate Twiggy's power and influence. The media love him and anyone the media loves puts wind up political parties of all colours.

On the broader question of the power of big business. Would love to see any party undertake a Royal Commission into their power and influence. The construction industry would be a good start. Let's see the rogues, henchmen, thieves etc on that side of the equation have the light shed on them. Reckon it would give us a fairer understanding of how that industry stinks.
 
AM said:
Don't underestimate Twiggy's power and influence. The media love him and anyone the media loves puts wind up political parties of all colours.
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Twiggy isn't that much of a powerbroker, the guy is literally on 10% interest rates from America on his debts. He'll be lobbying the governments to keep him afloat but they would have more power over him. Banks will come after him first not the government so lobbying the government won't be his priority

I think Sam just took a look at the ASX20, picked the boogeyman companies such as the big banks, the big miners (randomly picked Twiggy, no idea why), big telco and Woolies/Wesfarmers.

The companies that are always the first to be targeted with class warfare. Sam isn't new to be playing the class warfare card he has done this countless of times before.

No mention of Big Pharma such as CSL? Big Oil such as Woodside and Santos?
What about Macquarie and AMP, they are very large investment banks?
What about AGL and Origin, Big Energy?
Stocklands and Westfield, big property developers?
Insurers such as QBE and Suncorp?
Brambles, Asciano, QUBE, Big Logistic Companies?
Medibank, NIB, Big health insurers?
TAB, Crown and Star Entertainment Group, Big Casino Operators?
Big Media, ABC, Newscorp, The Guardian and Fairfax?

I could go on and on about companies that can influence and do care with what the government is currently doing so it doesn't affect their business.
 
Dastyari is indulging in tactics of 'look over there, a unicorn". Union membership stands at a new low of about 15% of the population yet they dictate ALP policy at conference and have a huge influence on preselections. Unions are major funders of the ALP and Greens. In 2013-14 the Greens received $567,766 from five unions including the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Electrical Trades Union. What do they get in return for that money?

John Faulkner recognises the need for ALP reform.

http://ouralp.net/2014/10/07/senato...-complacency-restoring-trust-reforming-labor/
 
RUNVS said:
and how does that go against Dastyari's point?
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Please - it's a wider point about how the politicians may talk a good talk, however they will equally accept cash from those they deride. Plus no mention of the unions or religious bodies that equally compete on the self interest and political influence stakes.

Sam getting cash from a Chinese firm to bail his arse out of a legal situation is enough to just say you can feed the Oz public people s**t and just say it's nutella most of the time.

Enjoy your nutella toast.
 
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AM said:
Really! Do you have details of donations from "associated entities" because the Electoral Commission published data doesn't support you. Source?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-01/political-donations-parties-data-search/7129064

The power and influence of big business shouldn't be news to anyone.

Must say I'm not a fan of Dastyari you is an attention seeker of the highest order.
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Apologies - misread site ....it was K not mill.

Hardly attention seeking either darling...more drunken typing.
 
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Moo said:
Apologies - misread site ....it was K not mill.

Hardly attention seeking either darling...more drunken typing.
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Um! Couple of things 'darling'. The reference to attention seeking was to Dastyari not you. Still not sure where you plucked your figure from. Suffice to say your suggestion Westpac was in some way pro ALP was misinformed as collectively they gave more to the Libs 'darling'.;)

In any event, I don't think the point Dastyari was making was necessarily party political. More that big business carries way too much power and influence politically generally. You expect that as far as the reactionaries are concerned because that is their power base. More disappointing [although understandable politically speaking] when it comes to Labor because they are no friends of Labor when push comes to shove.

As for Twiggy, when his company was ailing was when he was at his more powerful ie when he was campaigning against the 'super profits' tax. He's a past master at using the media. Where he is on Australia's so-called rich list , or where his company is in terms of profitability, is not directly related to his power and influence. He's very well connected.
 
AM said:
As for Twiggy, when his company was ailing was when he was at his more powerful ie when he was campaigning against the 'super profits' tax. He's a past master at using the media. Where he is on Australia's so-called rich list , or where his company is in terms of profitability, is not directly related to his power and influence. He's very well connected.
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Wesfarmers were more effective than twiggy. They sent out a letter to all of their shareholders regarding Rudd's mining tax.
 
JoseMourinho said:
Wesfarmers were more effective than twiggy. They sent out a letter to all of their shareholders regarding Rudd's mining tax.
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Didn't have to try hard as poorly put together, Rudd back tracked from original policy but the nothing wrong with the idea.
 
Maggie5 said:
Didn't have to try hard as poorly put together, Rudd back tracked from original policy but the nothing wrong with the idea.
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I'd think sending letters to each shareholders is probably trying hard :p. They would have just announced it as a press release!
 
AM said:
Don't underestimate Twiggy's power and influence. The media love him and anyone the media loves puts wind up political parties of all colours.

On the broader question of the power of big business. Would love to see any party undertake a Royal Commission into their power and influence. The construction industry would be a good start. Let's see the rogues, henchmen, thieves etc on that side of the equation have the light shed on them. Reckon it would give us a fairer understanding of how that industry stinks.
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no doubt he is charismatic but run the country........no

definitely agree re the construction industry.......reform is needed
 
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