Manic Studios – Frittering It All Away

Australian Workers Film Guide

Summary

From the Fair Go For Billionaires campaign, this satirical commercial shows fictional mining magnate character Alan Billson sitting with his twin in front of a luxurious open fire place with a silver goblet of wine. The two mining magnates discuss how the Mining Tax is paying for schools, hospitals and superannuation, “10.4 billion dollars, frittered away”, says one of the magnates, grabbing a handful of $100 dollar bills and throwing them into the fire. But the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, understands, and he’s going to repeal the tax and give the billions back to them.  It concludes with the text ‘ABBOTT UNDERSTANDS’, indicating Abbott’s support for billionaire mining magnates.

Fair Go For Billionaires was a CFMEU – Mining & Energy Division campaign opposing Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s promise to repeal the new Resources Tax, thereby diverting tax dollars intended for public purposes back to rich and powerful mining companies.

Special Notes/Achievements

Manic Studios was established for the trade union movement with the goal of producing satirical films and videos for union campaigns. Charles Firth, an Australian comedian and member of the famed The Chaser satirical comedy show, was the company’s creative director.

Author: J Bird, 2023

Duration: 30 secs

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Film Producer: Piers Grove, Xanon Murphy,

Film Writer: Charles Firth, Paddy Gorman,

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