Please explain … call for ABC, SBS transparency

Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 13-Dec-18

The federal government’s competitive neutrality inquiry into public broadcasting has concluded that the ABC and SBS are competing fairly with their commercial rivals. However, the inquiry has recommended greater transparency with regard to the public broadcasters’ business activities, their use of taxpayer funding and compliance with their charters. Amongst other things, the inquiry also recommended a shift toward longer-term funding arrangements for the ABC and SBS.

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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), FREE TV AUSTRALIA LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, ERNST AND YOUNG, BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, ONE NATION PARTY

Saltbush Club: The Revolt of the “Yellow Vests”

For decades now, working people, tax payers and retirees have been battered by the Green elites who shelter in well-paid tax havens like the UN and Greenpeace.

These Green elites have been supported by fellow travellers like the Clintons, Obama and Hollywood in America; Merkel in Germany; David Cameron, Prince Charles, David Attenborough and the BBC in UK; Macron in France; Gillard, Turnbull, Flannery and the ABC in Australia; the Trudeau dynasty in Canada; plus ranks of pious clerics, scheming oil sheikhs, green energy speculators and guilt-stricken big business executives.

This powerful elite has waged ceaseless war on the coal and nuclear power that provides cheap reliable electricity, on the farmers and fishermen who provide food, and on those who refine and manufacture things. They tax the diesel vehicles that provide transport and recreation for ordinary people and fill their suburbs and welfare rolls with imported “refugees”. They have captured their schools and universities that now provide more indoctrination than education. Green dogma infests the government media that people used to trust and is destroying the industries that once gave them well-paid jobs.

But Jack & Jill Public are starting to fight back.

The rise of Donald Trump in the US, Marine Le Pen in France, the Brexiteers in UK, political re-alignments in Denmark, the election of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil and now the sudden revolt of the “Yellow Vests” in Paris all show that an increasing number of people are fed up with their green overlords.

Australians are now joining this undercurrent of revolt. It is shown by the dethroning of closet-green PM Turnbull, the rise of dissident groups like the energy-focussed “Monash Forum”, the “Advance Australia” movement, the rural-based “Green Shirts” and the surprising early support for “The Saltbush Club” which urges Australia to exit immediately from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Viv Forbes
vforbes@bigpond.com

Disclosure: Viv Forbes is Founding Secretary of the Saltbush Club


Further Reading:

The Yellow Vests in Paris:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC0rczrqn5s
https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/french-government-prepared-to-back-down-over-carbon-tax/

Fighting the Green Blob in UK:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/12/will-no-one-ever-take-on-the-green-blob/

The Monash Forum in Australia:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/monash-forum-mps-release-coal-fact-sheets/news-story/75206ac5a00610c4637eba2f43d4f7ec

The Green-Shirt Aussies in the bush:
https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/5557095/green-shirts-uncover-alps-raw-spot/

Advance Australia:
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/getup-faces-conservative-challenger-advance-australia/news-story/eb0e92c31377a790ea8902d4bfb08f63

The Saltbush Club:
https://www.spectator.com.au/2018/12/australia-should-cop-out-of-cop-24/

Saltbush Club: Come Clean on the UN COP24 Meeting in Poland.

By Viv Forbes,

Secretary of the Saltbush Club

The Saltbush Club today called on the Morrison Government to come clean on what additional burdens for Australians are being discussed at COP24, the UN climate jamboree now taking place in Poland.

The Secretary of The Saltbush Club, Mr Viv Forbes of Australia, said that Australia will suffer badly from the destructive energy policies being promoted by the UN’s war on cheap, reliable hydro-carbon fuels.

“Like Solidarity in Poland, the Yellow Vests in France and the new Brazilian government we do not support the UN energy plans and we fear their hidden agenda.

“Australia’s backbone industries were built on cheap reliable power. We have huge overheads in the bureaucracy, academia and the welfare state which must be supported by real industry – mining and smelting, farming, fishing, forestry, processing, transport and manufacturing. These industries rely on hydro-carbon energy – coal, gas, oil, diesel and petrol.

“Because Australia has no nuclear or geothermal power, limited hydro potential, an aging fleet of coal generators and several bans on gas exploration, we are very vulnerable to the UN’s war on hydro-carbons.

“PM Morrison must answer three specific questions:

“Who represents Australia at COP24?

“What instructions have they been given?

“When will he report to the Australian people?

“Australia should sign nothing, agree to nothing and signal its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

“COP24 will produce zero benefits for Earth’s climate, but their goals are economically irresponsible for those selected to pay the bills.

“The Paris Agreement they seek to enforce is negative for the Australian people, and for everyone not on the climate gravy train.”
Viv Forbes
forbes@saltbushclub.com
Washpool   Qld Australia


Brazil withdraws the welcome mat to Climateers:

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/world/south-america/brazil-cancels-hosting-climate-change-summit-20181129-p50j61.html

Solidarity questions global warming dogma:
https://nczas.com/2018/12/06/niewiarygodne-solidarnosc-zmadrzala-zwiazkowcy-podwazaja-dogmat-o-globalnym-ociepleniu/

Ten surrenders but BOSS hasn’t left court

Original article by Nick Tabakoff
The Australian – Page: 19 : 11-Dec-18

Nine Entertainment Company may still proceed with legal action over the rebranding of the Ten Network’s digital channel despite a backdown by the broadcaster. Ten has advised that its 10 Boss channel will be rebadged as 10 Bold after Nine claimed that its logo was too similar to the "Boss" magazine supplement of "The Australian Financial Review". Nine has issued a statement in which it notes that the trademark dispute is still before the courts.

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NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED, CBS CORPORATION, FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA, MACQUARIE MEDIA LIMITED – ASX MRN

Nine holds its ground over Singo buyout

Original article by Nick Tabakoff
The Australian – Page: 25 & 27 : 10-Dec-18

Nine CEO Hugh Marks says he has held talks with advertising industry veteran John Singleton about buying his 32 per cent stake in Macquarie Media. However, Marks has dismissed speculation that Nine will pay at least $2 per share to take full ownership of Macquarie in the wake of the merger with Fairfax Media. Marks also says Nine is committed to retaining the print editions of Fairfax’s key mastheads. He adds that the websites of Fairfax newspapers are likely to feature more of Nine’s video content, but Fairfax content will in turn largely continue to be exclusive.

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NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, MACQUARIE MEDIA LIMITED – ASX MRN, 2GB, 3AW SOUTHERN CROSS RADIO PTY LTD, RADIO 4BC BRISBANE PTY LTD, DOMAIN HILL PROPERTY GROUP PTY LTD, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU LIMITED

Seven kicks off cricket’s new era

Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 7-Dec-18

Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner says there has been a positive response to the Seven Network’s inaugural cricket broadcast under its new rights deal. The first day of the series against India marked the first time in four decades that the Nine Network has not broadcast Test matches played in Australia. Seven will also broadcast selected Big Bash League matches, while Foxtel has exclusive coverage of one-day internationals. The Nine Network in turn has replaced Seven as the free-to-air broadcaster of tennis in Australia.

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SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, FOXTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, BIG BASH LEAGUE, NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED, TENNIS AUSTRALIA, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, IPG MEDIABRANDS

Macquarie Media shares jump as Nine confirms mop-up talks

Original article by Lilly Vitorovich, Bridget Carter
The Australian – Page: 19 : 6-Dec-18

Nine Entertainment Company has advised that it has held preliminary talks about moving to full ownership of Macquarie Media when the merger with Fairfax Media is completed. The enlarged Nine will have a 54.5 per cent stake in the radio stations owner, ahead of advertising industry veteran John Singleton with a 32 per cent stake. Shares in Macquarie rose 12.6 per cent to $2.06 on 5 December. Media reports have suggested that Nine is likely to offer around $2 per share for Macquarie.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, MACQUARIE MEDIA LIMITED – ASX MRN, WILSON ASSET MANAGEMENT, HADIAC PTY LTD, 2GB, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, STAN ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, DOMAIN HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA LIMITED – ASX DHA, 9NOW

Nine swings axe as Fairfax newsrooms reviewed

Original article by Lilly Vitorovich
The Australian – Page: 17 & 20 : 4-Dec-18

Nine Entertainment Company will comprise four divisions following its merger with Fairfax Media. Nine CEO Hugh Marks has advised staff that about 92 jobs will be lost as a result of the merger, although newsroom jobs will not be affected. Nine’s existing management team will largely helm the new divisions, while key Fairfax executives will exit following the merger. They include CEO Greg Hywood and CFO David Housego. The merger is expected to generate annual cost savings of around $50m.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, STUFF LIMITED, STAN ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, 9NOW, DOMAIN HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA LIMITED – ASX DHA, MACQUARIE MEDIA LIMITED – ASX MRN, FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU LIMITED

Don’t kill off mastheads, Nine warned

Original article by Lilly Vitorovich
The Australian – Page: 24 & 26 : 3-Dec-18

David Kirk anticipates further consolidation in Australia’s media sector following the merger between Nine Entertainment Company and Fairfax Media. Kirk, who was Fairfax’s CEO from 2005 to 2008, has urged Nine to retain the media group’s metropolitan mastheads, arguing that they are still a valuable asset. Kirk expects the merger to generate some cost synergies, although he questions its benefits in terms of revenue and profit margins. The newly-enlarged Nine is slated to commence trading on 10 December.

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NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, DOMAIN HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA LIMITED – ASX DHA, BAILADOR TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS LIMITED – ASX BTI, STAN ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD

Discount Drug Stores takes the lead in satisfaction

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 3-Dec-18

Discount Drug Stores has taken out Roy Morgan’s pharmacy customer satisfaction award for October 2018, with 91.4% of its customers reporting that they were ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ satisfied with their shopping experience in the chain’s stores. Its nearest competitor was Priceline Pharmacy, with a total satisfaction rating of 90.4%, followed by Amcal/Amcal Max with an overall satisfaction rating of 90%. Breaking down the satisfaction data by age, the group with the highest level of satisfaction with an individual pharmacy brand was the ‘pre-Baby Boomers’, 96% of whom were ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ satisfied with Soul Pattinson. Satisfaction scores use 12-month moving averages to smooth out data volatility, and are based on the Roy Morgan Single Source survey which involves more than 50,000 detailed face-to-face interviews a year with householders in their own homes, including 15,040 in the past year who rated their pharmacy experience.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED, DISCOUNT DRUGSTORES PTY LTD, PRICELINE PHARMACY, AMCAL PTY LTD, AMCAL MAX, SOUL PATTINSON