Sorry John Howard, but Richard Pratt does not deserve the posthumous return of his Order of Australia.
Much has been made of the amount of money Pratt gave to worthy causes. But here are some other sums that have been forgotten in the rush to eulogise the man.
Visy and Amcor agreed over five years to raise prices by 8-15%, for products that are at the heart of the economy, used in virtually every sector and industry. Visy and Amcor together form 97% of the cardboard and plastic bottle industry.
By one estimate, the cartel cost the companies’ customers $700m. Much of that, perhaps $300m, was passed on to downstream customers — you and me.
Cadbury-Schweppes, in an action that will be in the Federal Court from Monday, is suing the other party in the cartel for more than $120m.
Richard Pratt was involved in one of the biggest rip-offs in Australian history. The trial judge called it “the worst cartel to come before the courts in 30-plus years” and said Pratt was “knowingly concerned” in it and sanctioned it.
Pratt was previously fined for anti-competitive conduct in the 1990s. He was a repeat offender.
The politicians rushing to praise Pratt should ask small businesses, like fruit and veg growers who depend on cardboard products, how they feel about Pratt.
Pratt was right to hand back his honour. Crooks don’t deserve the Order of Australia, and he admitted to being a crook — on a colossal scale.
Oh, and two other numbers. In 2007, Richard Pratt gave $100,000 to the ALP and $200,000 to the Liberal Party. No wonder they love him.
Pratt was indeed a cardboard king. Surrounded in death by plastic courtiers. Will Hawke, Rudd, Howard and the hero of Beaconsfield Goldmine, Shorten, attend a vigil outside Marcus Einfeld’s prison? Einfeld, demolished National Treasure, was a victim of his own idiotic hubris, but he contributed far more to society than Pratt, the ostentatious philanthropist who shovelled out other people’s money.
I hate the word “cartel” because my life was turned upside down by a known cartel who contributed quite substantially to both major political parties that’s why my cries for help has fallen on deaf ears.
I blew the whistle on them and they destroyed my business, that was a small Business, have a look at it and be the judge
http://www.RodneyAdler.com
Best Regards
In the US or Europe, Pratt would’ve been facing 8 to 12 years in prison for his first offence in 1992, let alone this one.
He was in fact a common criminal: he stole from the pockets of ordinary, hard working Australians.
The ACCC was right to pursue him, and based on the evidence at hand, would’ve won.
But the political & sporting establishment appear blinded by the zeros in his wealth…give generously to sport or the political establishment in Oz & you’re straight up, no matter what.
The kow towing to the flawed money maker, is a pewk enducing spectacle.
I’m starting to have my doubts about one K. Rudd.