Radius collapse a lesson
It’s very sad news about Radius going into administration. The impact on employees and clients will be significant.
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We have already heard predictable calls for the “state government to step in” and the “local community to rally” or that “bail-outs” will save Radius. That local people feel so passionately is testament to the community spirit in the region. These kinds of measures are not the answer and would simply be a Band-Aid.
Without seeing the balance sheet or financial statement or knowing the details of some of their commercial arrangements, it’s difficult to comment in detail. However, even to a casual observer there were a number of warning signs:
- Three CEOs in relatively quick succession.
- CEO position advertised through a commercial recruitment agency a few months ago. Is the board not well networked enough or capable of handling this?
- Significant investment in the Mitchell Street building in an economic downturn. I have spent some time on the ground and first floors - it’s a very nice building. It wasn’t fitted-out on the cheap.
- This investment came on the back of changes to pay rates for people with disabilities meaning a significant increase in wages.
- An interesting ‘trendy’ ground floor retail space – though full of stuff with little chance of selling in any volume to the demographic who shop and spend time in that part of the CBD. There were multiple copies of books in Morley’s that nearby Dymock’s wouldn’t even risk taking a single copy of. There was a great selection of vinyl records – some quite obscure. 23 Mitchell Street, however, is not Fitzroy. Who allowed this to happen?
- I walked past Morley’s a week or so ago. A sign in the window said “20% off everything – because we can”. The word ‘hubris’ comes to mind.
People want to know how this happened? What were their external accountants doing?
I sincerely hope something can be done to save Radius or at least provide support and employment for their clients and employees. A simple “bail-out” is not the answer though. It’s a sobering warning and future case study for other not-for-profits.
Simon Wooldridge, Bendigo
Unions vital to workers
The government’s latest attacks on unions are nothing new. For as long as there has been a political arena in this country, the war between unionist and the employers has been fought.
The ABCC is just another weapon the government is using to attack the rights of working Australians.
They claim that they wish to crack down on unions standover tactics that force employers into tough EBAs, but what about the standover tactics of employers.
I have seen employers use threats, intimidation and blatant lies to force workers to into EBAs that result in little to no wage increase and a reduction in conditions and protections.
The unions are the workers’ only defence in the war against their wages and conditions. The bosses have their team of lawyers and board of directors and the workers have their unions, fair game.
Luke Martin, Bendigo Trades Hall Council secretary
Support to free the birds
I saw the beautiful bird photo accompanying Jenny Moxham's compassionate letter in the Bendigo Advertiser (“Let all the birds fly free”, October 20) and agree that birds definitely do not belong in cages.
They can often be left to sit on the same perches every day, without any interaction or stimulation. Jenny is right, they need to be able join their flocks.
During bird week we can enjoy just observing their diversity and beauty, and allow them to do what comes naturally to them.
