What’s David Crisafulli’s take away?
Also: Is Nine Entertainment going to "name and shame" bullies and abusers?
A former colleague of mine took to X recently to suggest that belt-tightening by the new Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, might lead to a reversal of his predecessor’s 50-cent public transport initiative.
The logic is that the groundwork has been laid, with complaints from the new government about huge budget blowouts for infrastructure projects, including those for the 2032 Olympics. Something’s go to give, right?
Now, since I’ve sold my car and rely on buses and trains to get around, I do have a horse in this race. Unsurpisingly, I’m all for keeping public transport fares low and making savings elsewhere, including by having a budget-priced Olympic Games.
The 50-cent fares must be costing the government a fortune in lost revenue. However, it’s arguable very sound policy to encourage people to use public transport — and not just for environmental reasons. It could also potentially save billions in the future by not having to build and maintain so many new roads and other infrastructure for private vehicles.
From a political point of view, there will almost certainly be a price to pay for taking the cheap fares away.
Just as Campbell Newman will forever be the premier who sacked 14,000 public servants (and then lost an election), does Mr Crisafulli want to be known as the leader who took away an initiative that saved thousands of commuters $50 or more a week?
If I were one of his advisers (and, hey, maybe I’d be up for that!), I’d be suggesting that he tread carefully. I certainly wouldn’t count on the public having short memories.
Are all Nine employees equal?
The fallout from the independent review into the culture at Nine Entertainment continues.
In particular there is a push, from both within and outside the organisation, for people to be named and shamed for past behaviour towards their colleagues.
Acting CEO Matt Stanton has told shareholders: “It is still early days, but there will be change at Nine and individuals will be held to account for behaviour of this nature. The board and management are absolutely united on the need to accelerate change to support workplace reform.”
Holding to account seems to include sacking the alleged culprits, but not publicly identifying them.
Now, I can understand why the Nine board doesn’t want to name the people who are sent packing as a result of the review — particularly if they get it wrong. But if they don’t name the offenders, people who are innocent of any wrongdoing may end up being besmirched, with consequences for their careers and reputations.
Nine is a big company, and employees leave all the time — they retire, they burn out, they accept other jobs, they move on. Some of them have left, or may do so, because they are victims of unacceptable behaviour and have no faith in Nine to address the situation. (More on that another time.)
But for now, and the next little while, when somebody leaves Nine suddenly, others might assume that they have been forced out because of allegations made against them.
At the same time, there will be people whose departures appear to be innocent enough — because it would be reasonable for them to retire or to take up another job, or whatever — who may have behaved very badly. There is a school of thought that these people deserve public exposure.
I’m not an expert in this area at all, but shouldn’t natural justice for the victims of harassment, abuse and bullying include the knowledge that the perpetrator has paid some sort of price for their behaviour?
Losing a job is a punishment, of course, but many will get very healthy redundancy payments and it’s almost certain that some of the bullies and abusers will spin a sacking as a resignation so they can get a new job, or they can wrangle some undeserved favourable media coverage on the way out the door at Nine.
Is it fair that the reported circumstances of some people’s departure lead to a false conclusion about them, while others are allowed to walk away with not just with their dignity intact, but with positive fanfare?
(Local media has reported that at least one departed employee is taking legal action, presumably to defend their reputation. More will almost certainly follow.)
P.S.
NewsCorp is reporting that Ray Hadley, who is quitting Nine Radio’s 2GB (saying it’s the “right time” for him to leave, despite having two more years on his contract), has had talks with Sky News about joining its after dark line-up of pundits. I guess the night timeslot fits in with his stated desire to spend more time with his family.
On the subject of radio, all the best to those who have a stake in the ratings survey, with results due out on Thursday. I’ll almost certainly be posting about that.