Making money by getting favourable land re-zoning decisions is just one example of the Game of Mates, a story about the massive concentration of wealth in Australia in recent decades and ways to control it.

Redlands BOOK LAUNCH – 6pm Thurs 22 June 2017

Watch the video of the event with author Cameron Murray on Vimeohttps://vimeo.com/222920696.

Don’t have the Vimeo app? Get it from the App Store: http://bit.ly/vimeo_ios

Many examples in this story come from Queensland where authors Dr Cameron Murray and Prof Paul Frijters have studied the Game of Mates extensively.

This book will open your eyes to how Australia really works. It’s not good news, but you need to know it” – Ross Gittens, Economics Editor, Sydney Morning Herald.

Book Release – Game of Mates: How favours bleed the nation

Game of Mates explains how the connected few now swing their power in Australia’s media, government and large corporate enterprises to raid our public assets and escape paying their fair share.

It tells a tale of economic theft across major sectors of Australia’s economy. It shows how groups of “well-connected Mates siphon off billions from our economy to line their own pockets.”

Game of Mates

Published 4 April 2017. Amazon.com

In property, banking, superannuation, education, transport, and many more sectors, connected Mates co-operate to steal huge chunks of the economic pie for themselves. Leaving the average Australian with a lighter wallet and our children with a desolate future.

In property development and planning decisions alone some 70% of the financial gains go to the well-connected few. Each year we are losing over $11 billion compared to best practices used elsewhere.

The stakes are high and the ‘well-connected Mates’ play dirty. The authors, both Queensland Economics lecturers, say Journalists who wanted to report their published research in the areas of property development and infrastructure had their jobs threatened!

The authors say the ‘well-connected Mates’ now impoverish and swamp our media, reducing investigative journalism and buying air time to promote their own opinions on us. Constantly echoing their generosity to lull us into the fantasy that they are good guys whose activities benefit our communities – rather than how they belittle and rob us.

Knowing how to recognise when the game is in play and how to react is crucial. Not only do the authors shed light on the various game plans, they provide a series of tips and best practice examples that are used elsewhere to thwart the game and reduce the bleeding. Ways to cleanse and refresh our communities.

If you want to know how much this game is costing us, how it is played, and most importantly what we can do about it, read and discuss Game of Mates: How favours bleed the nation.

Game of Mates: How favours bleed the nation
by Dr Cameron Murray and Prof Paul Frijters.
Published 4 April 2017
Available at Amazon.com
See Introductory Video clip

See a pre-release review by Ross Gittens HERE.

Redlands2030 – 13 April 2017

9 Comments

Hedy Turner, Apr 19, 2017

How prevalent is the Game of Mates in the Redlands? There appears to be no rhyme or reason
in the quality, numbers, location, appearance of developments in Redland City.

Adelia Berridge, Apr 17, 2017

ABC Radio Steve Austin did a similar interview as well.
Professor Jason Sharman – the 2016 Distinguished Lecture, titled ‘The Despot’s Guide to Wealth Management – (On the International Campaign against Grand Corruption’ on Monday, September 19 (6pm) 2016 at the Queensland College of Art Lecture Theatre, South Bank.)

In a forthcoming book titled The Despot’s Guide to Wealth Management, Professor Sharman compares Australia’s lack of activity with initiatives in Switzerland, United States and the UK to stem the inward flow of corrupt money.
This is the link to a 4Corners program on it.
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/s2216656.htm

Amy Glade, Apr 15, 2017

Land rezoning a big rort in Redlands? Yes, for sure it is. Common practice.

1. Why would a specially protected, under Koala Coast Policy, wetland site in Capalaba on Coolnwynpin Creek Capalaba be changed overnight from SPECIAL PROTECTION to COMMERCIAL? Easy. The developer wanted it! Having deep pockets they seemed able to influence the reports that rubbished the wetland so it could be drained, filled and covered in concrete forever destroying the creek environment that once saw platypus, fish jumping in the waterway, water birds and a lovely walk through for locals. All gone now…only degradation of area remains due to greedy corrupt politicians who look after each other…handsomely from my observations..
2. Farmer Joe Thornlands wanted to develop his vast acres of land into a mixed one consisting of housing, gym, barbque area, an Italian village style one, with a 711 type shop in place of his existing fruit/veg stand. That would enable locals, without having to drive to shopping centres, including mobile elderly in aged care home/villas across road, to buy that extra loaf of bread, etc. but the Seccombe Administration rejected the plan citing COMMERCIAL as reason for rejection. Farmer Joe then sold his land for residential homes to developers. The result no parkland, skimpy backyards…and we are seeing unit developments like those opposite Finlandia Aged Care home built up to roadside.

The influence of mates has certainly bled the Redlands community of liveability because they leave degradation in their wake. It’s said too many cooks spoil the broth, but too many mates spoil the landscape, in my opinion.

Baz, Apr 15, 2017

The book details other reports like this one: Is land rezoning Australia’s biggest rort?

Probably…see more from Property News i.e.
https://sourceable.net/is-land-rezoning-australias-biggest-rort/#

Its so entrenched and so profitable for a few it is hard to see any government really trying to wind it back. Decision makers seem certain to benefit now or in the future

Baz, Apr 15, 2017

The book details other reports like this one: Is land rezoning Australia’s biggest rort?

Probably…see more from Property News i.e.
https://sourceable.net/is-land-rezoning-australias-biggest-rort/#

Its so entrenched and so profitable for a few it is hard to see any government really trying to wind it back. Decision makers seem certain to benefit now or in the future

Dave, Apr 15, 2017

the book should be compulsory reading for Councillors, members of Parliament and public officials…how else do they learn their trade?

The book should be worrying State and Local Government…instead they are likely hoping it sinks out of sight…and soon.

Me Too, Apr 13, 2017

Once political scientists called it “the Establishment”.
Now it’s an art form.
Redlands would make a good study of how development has strangled the things community has said are important. Take your report where Dr Tafe speaks of downhill in Redland tourism opportunities. Local State and Fed pollies choosing Walker style-Toondah over protection of Moreton Bay.
On and on…but have a go at this one about where they would like to put our money…
http://www.betootaadvocate.com/world-news/turnbull-allows-adani-temporarily-airlift-uluru-just-see-theres-coal/

Pedro Plunkett, Apr 13, 2017

This looks like a new round of welcome myth busting in the property, construction and mining sectors and declining investigative journalism. There are probably another several books out there in the Koala Industries , Offset Industries and the near fruitless modelling for fauna in Eastern Austalia.

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