Kim Wingerei blog posts
“Without idealists, the pragmatists would have nothing to do…”
AUKUS in the sky with rhinestones. What’s the scam?
The AUKUS Forum is at it again, expanding the nuclear submarine mirage into space and beyond in the hope they can jag a slice of that lovely $368B AUKUS money. What’s the scam? We are not sure if the hangers-on at the AUKUS forum have got themselves a piece of the...
One billion litres of water, but Plibersek told not to care. What’s the fracking scam?
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was told to ignore new water protection laws for an American speculator’s gas fracking project in the Northern Territory. What’s the scam? The scam is that the Environment Department recommended the Minister disregard widespread...
Is the ICC warrant against Netanyahu heralding real change in international justice?
It took 12 years for the ICC to finally agree that its jurisdiction holds in Palestine, while Israel continued to act with absolute impunity in Gaza. Vineet Thakur and Peter Vale from the Universities of Pretoria and Leiden argue that may finally be about to change. A...
Dixon victims and the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort. What’s the scam?
The long and sorry saga of Dixon Advisory draws to a close as the administrators ride into the sunset with fat fees, and clients are left to nurse their financial wounds. The scam is the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) and a compensation scheme that...
Murdoch reshuffles News – lobs The Australian in with Vogue
The once venerable The Australian, News Corp’s flagship publication, and where it began for Rupert Murdoch nationally, has found a resting place with Vogue. In the seagull management style of billionaire scions, Lachlan Murdoch flew into Sydney last week to bandaid...
Sunshine Private Hospital calls in the administrators after one year. What’s the Scam?
A private hospital in Melbourne’s western suburbs closes its doors after one year of operation, leaving patients without care and staff without a job. What’s the scam? The scam is that private hospitals are not the way to run a proper health care system, especially...
Anthony Albanese’s diary. Albo works long hours, but who does he meet with?
Anthony Albanese’s diary proves a PM hard at work. But who did he meet with? Kim Wingerei checks in on the Prime Minister’s priorities. It took the endurance of MWM’s Transparency Warrior, Rex Patrick, to have the PM’s diary released after a protracted court battle...
Billabong founder on the ATO hook for $50 million on EY advice. What’s the scam?
The Federal Court ruled last week that Billabong founder Gordon Merchant must pay the Australian Tax Office $50M to settle outstanding taxes on the sale of a company in 2015. What’s the scam? The scam is that Merchant was acting on advice from Big Four consultancy EY,...
Yes to terrorism cover, no to fracking. What’s the farmer (insurance) scam?
Insurance companies refuse to cover damage from coal seam gas fracking infrastructure, yet are happy to charge farmers on the Liverpool Plains the ‘Terrorism Levy’. What’s the scam? The scam is the insurance companies are having their cake and eating it again. While...
The Dirty Budget: fossil fuel subsidies up 31%. What’s the scam?
A new report says fossil fuel subsidies will be 31% higher in this year. The increase is driven by fuel tax credits and concessions, and subsidies for coal mining and gas pipelines. What’s the scam? The scam is that the $3.4B in additional subsidies counter...
Say goodbye to free sport on TV, say hello to paid streaming
No more Ashes, no more AFL or NRL Grand Finals, no more Olympics. If you no longer watch TV with an aerial, seeing big sporting events for free may soon be a thing of the past. Kim Wingerei reports on new anti-siphoning proposals. Only 61% of us still watch...
Rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated. Johnnie gets scammed
The ‘Reserve Bank’s Communications Department’ has emailed Johnnie, the MWM Executive Vice-President of Human Resources. What’s the scam? The scam is one of those ‘give me your bank account details so we can give you money’ scams. An email purportedly from “Reserve...