Summary
From the Fair Go For Billionaires campaign, this satirical commercial features a suited fictional mining magnate Alan Billson standing in front of a wine rack as he explains that it’s not his fault he got rich from the mining boom, even if he didn’t do anything to earn it. “They’re not mega profits, they’re hard earned profits that have just happened to triple in value, without any extra effort on my part, because of the booming prices in China. Well that’s not my fault!”, he says as he selects a bottle of wine from the rack. 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