We’ve had two near unanimous pieces of feedback over the weekend.

Number one: you want real action taken against those found to be at fault in the banking royal commission. This means criminal charges and confiscation of assets, and it significantly does not amount to whatever Morrison is peddling.

Number two: you’d very much like to never read the words Mark Latham ever again. 

Both difficult goals, but one is significantly more within our power than the other.

Re: Bernard Keane and Glenn Dyer’s “AMP attempts damage control in wake of royal commission debacle”

Gordon Robertson, former Deputy Auditor General for Western Australia and Principal Analyst for the Temby Royal Commission into the Finance Broking Industry, writes: Thank you for your coverage of and commentary on the royal commission. While proposed increases in penalties for corporations might act as some deterrent, I have doubts that they will have a major or lasting impact on the culture that has evolved in these institutions.

The potential for criminal charges to be laid against individuals might have a greater effect, but I wonder if Proceeds of Crime legislation might apply if any individuals are convicted? Confiscation of assets including those that miscreants have distributed to other persons could have a very sobering effect on potential wrong-doers. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

John Richardson writes: Notwithstanding all the finger-wagging and foot-stomping, can Crikey offer a short-list by name of any directors of a major public financial institution or other business corporation to serve a jail term in this country as a result of breaching the corporations law, or any law policed by ASIC for that matter?

Edward Zakrzewski writes: Before any talk of “fixing” the “culture” let’s get to SEE justice being done with a few hundred prosecutions, some jail terms and the confiscation from individuals of “proceeds of crime” such as commissions, salaries and bonuses.

Richard Barlow writes: If you’re a union official or welfare recipient you get treated like a criminal; if you’re a banker stealing from millions of people you get a bonus. 

 

Re: Helen Razer’s “Razer: Comey grilled lighter than tuna in a salad nicoise”

Mary Woods writes: I did not watch the interview because I cannot stand Leigh Sales, but can’t say I am surprised by this critique. Don’t think I have ever heard her ask an insightful question, and she gallantly avoids any follow-up digging into her interviewees statements even when it is blindingly obvious to anyone with half a brain.

Ken Chapman writes: Ahh yes your socialist roots are showing. I watched this because I thought it’d be an apology session for Trump but it wasn’t. Leigh Sales did a great job on the interview and Comey was careful to speak about himself and justice being transparent (both well done). This just wouldn’t meet the far left Razer needs so just get over it.

Bushby Jane writes: I am personally really annoyed that the cash-strapped ABC afforded to send Sales to US to do the crappy interview when they have good journalists like Zoe Daniels already there who could do a much better job. The ABC seem to have a culture of “ownership” of their programmes or time slots, like The Drum on now with the perfectly nice but ineffective Julia Baird, and won’t change presenters for someone better at the job.

 

Re: Bernard Keane’s “Morrison too little, too late effort on the royal commission won’t convince”

Rais writes: “Scott Morrison and Kelly O’Dwyer must think we’re idiots.” They have proof. We elected them.

Itsarort writes: I expect someone in the media to start examining two striking issues here:

1. Who in the government had very strong suspicions that the banks were up to their necks in corruption, yet vehemently denied a royal commission was relevant?

2. Who in ASIC (or the government or other influential institutions) leaned on ASIC employees to create such a disgraceful culture of non-compliance?

Because, shit like this doesn’t happen by accident. And the notion that “we didn’t know it was so bad” is just reprehensible nonsense.

Mr B Barry: The financial penalties espoused by Morrison are a futile PR exercise designed to take the heat off the government. The proposed fines are a drop in the ocean to our financial giants. Lengthy jail time and confiscation of their ill-gotten personal assets is the only thing these “above the law” shysters will ever understand. They need to suffer the same financial ruin they have visited on unsuspecting and innocent people who entrusted them with their life savings. Go on Morrison let’s see you put some teeth into the wishy-washy penalties you are proposing.

 

Re: Should Crikey cover Mark Latham?

Bob Smith writes: Please leave him be.

Vivienne Smith writes: … Nothing, zilch, zero ever again about Mark Latham. Surely if he is ignored, he will go away?

John Homan writes: Please! Please! Give Latham the obscurity he deserves!