3 ms·

That pretty much describes governments around the world, it's nothing exclusive to Australia unfortunately.

EdwardDiego 7y ago
Hmm, I'd say Australia's mining industry holds a significantly more hefty sway over politicians than it does in other countries, just because of how much of Aussie's GDP is based on mining - plus how the miners have attempted to controk the media there: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Rinehart#Business_career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Rinehart#Business_career > In 2010 Rinehart took a 10 per cent stake in Ten Network Holdings; James Packer had acquired an 18 per cent stake in the same company shortly before. Since then she also acquired a substantial stake in Fairfax Media. Rinehart was a major player in the media and no longer limits her interests to the mining business. In February 2012 she increased her stake in Fairfax to over 12 per cent, and became the largest shareholder of the company. Fairfax journalists were reportedly fearful that she wanted to turn them into a "mouthpiece for the mining industry". In June 2012, she increased her stake further to 18.67 per cent, and was believed to be seeking three board seats and involvement in editorial decisions in Fairfax's newspaper division. Negotiations between Fairfax and Hancock Prospecting broke down in late June because of disagreements over Fairfax's editorial independence policy and other issues relating to board governance; chair Roger Corbett subsequently announced that Rinehart would not be offered any seats on the board. After failing to get board representation she sold her shareholding in 2015.
- whitebread 7y ago
  While that may or may not be true, I’d say it is true that the powers that be for most countries are in bed with one or more industries comparatively to Australia and the coal industry.
- hourislate 7y ago
  In Canada you have one family that owns almost all the news media in the country and also Reuters. From what I understand they are the 5th richest family in the world.
  - mrep 7y ago
    27th according to Forbes [0]. [0]: https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-thomson/#2d5599fa5628 https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-thomson/#2d5599fa5628
    - twic 7y ago
      But 5th according to Reuters!
bigiain 7y ago
We've got it pretty bad here. This man is now the Prime Minister (the highest political position in Australia): https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2017/feb/09/scott-morrison-brings-a-chunk-of-coal-into-parliament-video https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2017/feb/09/scott-m...

Hmm, I'd say Australia's mining industry holds a significantly more hefty sway over politicians than it does in other countries, just because of how much of Aussie's GDP is based on mining - plus how the miners have attempted to controk the media there: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Rinehart#Business_career https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Rinehart#Business_career > In 2010 Rinehart took a 10 per cent stake in Ten Network Holdings; James Packer had acquired an 18 per cent stake in the same company shortly before. Since then she also acquired a substantial stake in Fairfax Media. Rinehart was a major player in the media and no longer limits her interests to the mining business. In February 2012 she increased her stake in Fairfax to over 12 per cent, and became the largest shareholder of the company. Fairfax journalists were reportedly fearful that she wanted to turn them into a "mouthpiece for the mining industry". In June 2012, she increased her stake further to 18.67 per cent, and was believed to be seeking three board seats and involvement in editorial decisions in Fairfax's newspaper division. Negotiations between Fairfax and Hancock Prospecting broke down in late June because of disagreements over Fairfax's editorial independence policy and other issues relating to board governance; chair Roger Corbett subsequently announced that Rinehart would not be offered any seats on the board. After failing to get board representation she sold her shareholding in 2015.

whitebread 7y ago
While that may or may not be true, I’d say it is true that the powers that be for most countries are in bed with one or more industries comparatively to Australia and the coal industry.
hourislate 7y ago
In Canada you have one family that owns almost all the news media in the country and also Reuters. From what I understand they are the 5th richest family in the world.
- mrep 7y ago
  27th according to Forbes [0]. [0]: https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-thomson/#2d5599fa5628 https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-thomson/#2d5599fa5628
  - twic 7y ago
    But 5th according to Reuters!

bigiain 7y ago

We've got it pretty bad here. This man is now the Prime Minister (the highest political position in Australia): https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2017/feb/09/scott-morrison-brings-a-chunk-of-coal-into-parliament-video https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2017/feb/09/scott-m...