Summary
A spin off from the Fair Go For Billionaires campaign, this satirical commercial advocates the employment of overseas 457 visa workers at the expense of local workers. Introducing the fictional mining CEO Larry Pines, this extended commercial presents a mock street campaign in support of a CEO strike, where a suited Pines holds a glass of champagne in the street, with a backdrop of supporters holding placards. Drinking champagne in a limo, Pines tells the viewer that CEOs are doing it tough, “Many of us can’t afford Moet with every meal. Many of us can’t afford that second limo to drive to where we parked our first limo.” Not deterred by bemused onlookers, Pines tells them that Australian workers are making unreasonable demands on the nation’s CEOs, such as maternity and sick leave, a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, superannuation, paternity leave and weekends, “When’s it going to end?”, bemoans Pines, “We will not take this lying down” as he beckons supporters to march. Pines hands out flyers to passers by telling them to support their CEO, stopping to talk to members of the pubic. Two young men reject his appeal saying that people are more important that money, which Pines describes as confronting. Pines stops a young Irish man wearing a suit and is happy to discover that he is a 457 visa worker in government recruiting. They shake hands and share a glass of champagne, Pines tells him “It’s good to have you in the country, remember if you make a mistake we’re just going to throw you out.”
The final title card is ‘The Mining Boom is Australia’s Boom. Let’s spread it around.’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.
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