Probe puts Pratt's presidency in doubt

[Burzum]

BILLIONAIRE Richard Pratt might have to quit as Carlton Football Club president after his admission that his company Visy ran the biggest price-fixing cartel in Australian corporate history.

Collusion by Visy and its rival Amcor to fix prices will be raised in determining whether Mr Pratt is an appropriate person to hold a gaming licence. If he is considered inappropriate, he will have to stand down from the position at Carlton, the club he has almost single-handedly saved in the past year.

Members of boards of clubs, such as Carlton, or companies that hold gaming licences must be assessed for their suitability by the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation. Mr Pratt's application for a gaming licence is being processed.
The Gambling Regulation Act requires a person seeking a gaming licence to be "of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity".

Mr Pratt's company has admitted to 103 breaches of the Trade Practices Act by colluding to fix prices. He has agreed to pay $36 million of a total $38 million in fines as part of a mediated settlement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The offences admitted are not criminal.

The executive commissioner of the VCGR, Peter Cohen, said the commission would wait for a Federal Court ruling on the settlement before considering Mr Pratt's application.

"We are aware of Mr Pratt's issues and we are monitoring that situation to see if anything arises from that which would concern us," he said.
"We do not prejudge anyone, and we are not yet in a position to judge Mr Pratt as there are outstanding matters before the courts. We will treat Mr Pratt the same as we would treat any other applicant. We need to be satisfied that he is an appropriate person to be involved in gaming."

The VCGR will balance the Visy admissions with Mr Pratt's lifetime in business and philanthropy.

In court Mr Pratt distanced himself from the collusion, saying he was unaware of much of the detail of what took place.

"I know a lot more now than I knew then, but I sincerely regret what happened and I accept ultimate responsibility," he said outside court.
Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said he was confident the application would be accepted. "I have no concerns. Dick has established his reputation over 50 years in business and philanthropy," he said.

Gambling experts have called on the VCGR to refuse Mr Pratt's application. Dr Charles Livingstone, senior lecturer in the School of Primary Health Care at Monash University, said it would "not be a good look" for someone who had admitted such significant deception offences to be deemed appropriate to hold a gaming licence.

"I think it would be inappropriate if he was able to continue as a gaming operator. He is the principal person at the club and it would not be a good look in my opinion. If the authority is disposed to give him the licence he is seeking I think people might well be concerned about that," he said.

Dr James Doughney, senior researcher at Victoria University called for Mr Pratt's name to be excised from Carlton's licence application.

http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/pratt-presidency-in-doubt/2007/10/23/1192941065447.html

 

[My North]

Bye Bye Pratty

 

[Bomber32]

Doesn't look good for Pratt.

 

[Silvagnis]

Bye Bye Pratty

Have you delisted him?

Pratt was only going to be at Carlton for a year anyway and then hand over the reins to a successor.

His work at Carlton is done.

http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/blues-will-be-ok/2007/10/23/1192941065453.html

In reality, it will matter not a jot to Carlton if Pratt is forced to leave the club in this manner. The truth is, his work there is done.

Indeed, his most significant move was arriving at the club, not remaining. Were he to go under these circumstances it would be in the broad knowledge that he would remain the club's chief benefactor and influential patron, although without the title of president.

Pratt's return to the club brought with it not just his own money but the dollars from other corporate Carlton supporters that had been waiting on his move.

Carlton is now solvent. Pratt did that.

Carlton sacked its coach, replaced him with a former captain and brought the Carlton back to Carlton. Pratt did that. Carlton chased down and won the best player in the country. Pratt did that.

Carlton is arrogant Carlton again with a disgraced businessman at its helm.

Pratt did that.

 

[Carn the Coasters]

Carlton is arrogant

They certainly have a lot to be arrogant about don't they? Finishing in the top 14 is overrated.

 

[HFF]

Have you delisted him?

Pratt was only going to be at Carlton for a year anyway and then hand over the reins to a successor.

His work at Carlton is done.

http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/blues-will-be-ok/2007/10/23/1192941065453.html

You are only spraying this whole 'pratt was only going to be at Carlton for a year etc' crap because of the recent events that have taken place and they are beginning to threaten his presidency and more importantly- Carlton and even the club's culture.

Let me tell you, NOBODY at the club wants to see Pratt go or have his gaming licence revoked- he has been the best thing that has EVER happened to the club but like Carlton presidents before him- he has been disgraced- it comes with the territory.

As far as his work is 'done,' i assure you it has only begun. He has only begun to turn the club around- financially. Now he wants results- no excuses. He would like to have at least another 3 years at the helm to complete what he has begun, that is a certainty.

To replace people of his calibre is almost impossible.

 

[TheHeatleyStand]

So you think he cant get a gaming license???

Swann can.....

Soeone can be president and someone can be executive president gaming license holder...

Do the technicalities matter???

He stays for as long as he likes...

And the club will be a Juddernaut.. oops Juggernaut...


This is like the good old days ....



Wont take us that long to be right up there in ever facet..

And StKilda supporters thought they had replaced us in the top 3 in Victoria??

Get real!!!...

What this will do is reinvigorate the old Carlton /Collingwood rivalry.. and Essendon better pick up its sox or it will be left behind.

We even got 4 games interstate this year...
We will have the biggest sponsorship in AFL history soon.
Best training facilities inside of 18 months..
40,000 plus members...
first option on ost of the elite Irish talent coming through..
An exclusive zone in South Africa...
Likely to be shifted over to the MCG inside of 2/3 years.... (Yes its on the AFL things to do for Carlton )
More tv games on free to air than StKilda next year..

Its a great life isnt it???

 

[doh its me]

So you think he cant get a gaming license???

Swann can.....

Soeone can be president and someone can be executive president gaming license holder...

Do the technicalities matter???

He stays for as long as he likes...

And the club will be a Juddernaut.. oops Juggernaut...


This is like the good old days ....



Wont take us that long to be right up there in ever facet..

And StKilda supporters thought they had replaced us in the top 3 in Victoria??

Get real!!!...

What this will do is reinvigorate the old Carlton /Collingwood rivalry.. and Essendon better pick up its sox or it will be left behind.

We even got 4 games interstate this year...
We will have the biggest sponsorship in AFL history soon.
Best training facilities inside of 18 months..
40,000 plus members...
first option on ost of the elite Irish talent coming through..
An exclusive zone in South Africa...
Likely to be shifted over to the MCG inside of 2/3 years.... (Yes its on the AFL things to do for Carlton )
More tv games on free to air than StKilda next year..

Its a great life isnt it???

Your exactly right THS

It is irrelevant what the gaming commission decides to do.

A structure will be created or job titles changed so that the club still gets the gaming license and Pratt will still run the club whether it is as the official "President" or not.

It is a just a matter of working out small details, and Pratt isnt a guy who will let any small hiccup like this end his commitment to Carlton.

 

[jcraw1]

The AFL should have stepped in before this even took place.. There is no place in the game for a president who is deceptive and thinks he is above the law.

If he cannot control himself in the real world, how do you expect him to operate to the AFL's bylaws? It's a joke, and the league are asking for trouble.

Just look at the deceptive methodologies that Carlton fans are trying to come up with. Hardly surprising really, since the club has a history of playing outside of the rules that govern all other clubs.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

The Mafia club strikes again, what a pathetic, corrupt business they're running.

 

[doh its me]

The AFL should have stepped in before this even took place.. There is no place in the game for a president who is deceptive and thinks he is above the law.

If he cannot control himself in the real world, how do you expect him to operate to the AFL's bylaws? It's a joke, and the league are asking for trouble.

Just look at the deceptive methodologies that Carlton fans are trying to come up with. Hardly surprising really, since the club has a history of playing outside of the rules that govern all other clubs.

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour" - Ten Commandments

Surely if Pratt is deemed not fit to hold a gambling license someone else at the club can take that responsability.
The AFL can scrutinise Carlton just like any other club and penalise any infractions.
Carlton have breached the salary cap once as has Essendon.
They have both been punished and it is now history.

The deceptive methods you mention are not deceptive at all.
They are a practical alternative and will be completely out in the open.
Your club and President may not be able to do what it takes to acheive a goal, too bad.

If Swann becomes President and Pratt's name is not on the permit application there no issue at all.

But anyway think of Pratt as a Ned Kelly type figure as he is a major philanthropist.
He cheated big companies and gives to the needy.

We Love ya Dick

 

[Bomba Sheldon]

Whether Pratt is the Prez or not at the blues it wont matter as he will keep financially supporting the Blues. So rest assure we aren't doen and dusted yet in our recovery much to otehr clubs annoyance. He has always said that he only wanted a few years at the helm until he righted the ship so if he is forced out of the presidency he is still allowed to bankroll us.

 

[1jasonoz]

He committed 103 breaches of the act by carrying out Cartel activities, and only got a $36 million personal fine- he got off lightly.

 

[JeffDunne]

Wont take us that long to be right up there in ever facet..

And StKilda supporters thought they had replaced us in the top 3 in Victoria??

Get real!!!...

What this will do is reinvigorate the old Carlton /Collingwood rivalry.. and Essendon better pick up its sox or it will be left behind.

We even got 4 games interstate this year...
We will have the biggest sponsorship in AFL history soon.
Best training facilities inside of 18 months..
40,000 plus members...
first option on ost of the elite Irish talent coming through..
An exclusive zone in South Africa...
Likely to be shifted over to the MCG inside of 2/3 years.... (Yes its on the AFL things to do for Carlton )
More tv games on free to air than StKilda next year..

Its a great life isnt it???

It's hilarious the way you & most of your brethren are obsessed with St Kilda.

Actually I don't think obsession is a strong enough word for how we've done your head in over the past 5 seasons.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

In court Mr Pratt distanced himself from the collusion, saying he was unaware of much of the detail of what took place.

I always love that style of defence. Her gets all the credit for building his empire, but the moment something goes wrong apparently he didn't know anything about it. Yeah, right Pratty, pull the other one

 

[Schwabie]

In court Mr Pratt distanced himself from the collusion, saying he was unaware of much of the detail of what took place.

I always love that style of defence. Her gets all the credit for building his empire, but the moment something goes wrong apparently he didn't know anything about it. Yeah, right Pratty, pull the other one

Good Point.

Visy seems to be the personification of that old chestnut "failure is an orphan". Much like how Pratt's old mate, John Elliott, never did anything wrong at Elders, of course, it was all Ken Jarrett's fault...

 

[Schwabie]

LOL. Obsession with Saints amongst Big Footy Carlton supporters - 5% off. Obsession with Saints by Carlton Supporters in total - .003% off.
Obsession with Saints by Carlton supporters who are not teenagers or under - .000000008% off. King of the Kids JD! The board at Carlton just never stops thinking about the Saints!

I can't recall a post from Heatley Stand in the last week which doesn't mention St.Kilda in some way - regardless of how irrelevant the comment is.

 

[Aussie Joe]

Fear not fellow footy supporters.

Pratt will still give money to the Blues, and we will pump you soon enough.

Just be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day you know.

 

[79Vintage]

What has Pratt done for Carlton in his first year?

Put in a new administration and football department.
Allow the club to operate with a seemingly open cheque book when it comes to football operations.
Brought the old & some new financial backers to the club.
Recruited the best player in the competition.
Laid the plans for a new training facility to be built, t which he said he will support financially.

That's a lot of achievement in 1 year.

Initially Pratt said he would only be President for two years, if he's forced out as President because of this gaming licence issue, so be it, but there's no doubt he will continue to be an active benefactor to the club, something which he wasn't before he came on board.

As a Carlton supporter I couldn't care how we get our act in order or what the perceptions may be in the football world, like any team it's about getting your club in order so your in a position to win games and challenge for a premiership. How pathetic we've been in these stakes has turned around full circle under Pratt and we Carlton supporters are willing to wait over the coming few years as our list develops. As Michael Gleeson in 'The Age' wrote, Pratt's work at Carlton is done.

Write what you want about us oppostion supporters, we've never cared what others think of us & we never will. Let the good times roll.

 

[dave_27]

What this will do is reinvigorate the old Carlton /Collingwood rivalry.. and Essendon better pick up its sox or it will be left behind.

Sorry Essendon already have great facilities, plenty of money and draw attendances far greater than Carlton.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Sorry Essendon already have great facilities, plenty of money and draw attendances far greater than Carlton.

Yet we have more members and a better playing list than you .... go figure

 

[mediumsizered]

You are only spraying this whole 'pratt was only going to be at Carlton for a year etc' crap because of the recent events that have taken place and they are beginning to threaten his presidency and more importantly- Carlton and even the club's culture.

Let me tell you, NOBODY at the club wants to see Pratt go or have his gaming licence revoked- he has been the best thing that has EVER happened to the club but like Carlton presidents before him- he has been disgraced- it comes with the territory.

As far as his work is 'done,' i assure you it has only begun. He has only begun to turn the club around- financially. Now he wants results- no excuses. He would like to have at least another 3 years at the helm to complete what he has begun, that is a certainty.
To replace people of his calibre is almost impossible.

Pratt made it clear from the moment he was appointed Carlton president that he had no intention of staying any longer than 2 years. He is 72 years of age & his health is not the best. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him stand down early in the new year, having well & truly set the foundations in place for Carlton to be successful both off & on the field.

 

[The Fireman]

Oh dear, the dishonesty at Carlton has reared it's ugly head again and provoked more sanctions. Is this club the most dishonest in Australian sporting history?

 

[clobba]

Noooooo! they are trying to crucify the savior Pratt our lord

 

[LVAK]

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour" - Ten Commandments

Surely if Pratt is deemed not fit to hold a gambling license someone else at the club can take that responsability.
The AFL can scrutinise Carlton just like any other club and penalise any infractions.
Carlton have breached the salary cap once as has Essendon.
They have both been punished and it is now history.

The deceptive methods you mention are not deceptive at all.
They are a practical alternative and will be completely out in the open.
Your club and President may not be able to do what it takes to acheive a goal, too bad.

If Swann becomes President and Pratt's name is not on the permit application there no issue at all.

But anyway think of Pratt as a Ned Kelly type figure as he is a major philanthropist.
He cheated big companies and gives to the needy.
We Love ya Dick

I don't think you understand how it works. The extra cost gets handed on to the next company which hand the cost on to the consumer... meaning YOU!

Dick Pratt stole tens of millions of dollars from the general public , way more than any'philanthropic ' endeavours.

When Clinton Casey was President at Richmond I wanted him gone because he had been involved in some questionable deals.
I would have thought that you may have wanted the same rather than defending a major thief just because he is connected to your football club. Pretty childish really