SCUM AT THE TOP

Kevin sumers, writing on www.crikey.com.au, says the Ecclestone Grand Prix licence fee cat is out of the bag. He reckons that: "The current figure is $A18 million but is paid in American dollars to an account in the (Netherlands) Antilles. The figure escalates 10 per cent annually. The charge is similar to those paid for other Grands Prix where the figures are not veiled in secrecy ..."

You shouldn't believe everything you read on the World-Wide Web, but we'll let this figure stand until it is refuted by Bernie, Ron, Jeff or Steve. If it is not true then let them tell us what the true figure is.

It is only our profound cynicism about politicians and plutocrats that makes us accept what has happened here with fatalistic resignation. I know, there's nothing we can do about it. Citizens are powerless against our overlords. But it's still worth a huff and a puff once a year to remind us of just what it is that has been done on our behalf and with our money. And keep in mind that we are talking about two successive governments that wouldn't spend a penny to help a genuinely productive local company to stay in business against unfair competition. "Can't pick winners you know. That's globalisation mate. We would if we could, but believe us, our hands are tied."

But when Bernie comes to town, petrol sniffing on a metropolitan scale rots the cerebral cortex and the most preposterous deal is done.

The taxpayers of Victoria pay for all the capital works on the track, for the erection and removal of all the trackside paraphernalia, for the safety personnel, advertising, road closures and police and, on top of that, pay a licence fee to Bernie of $18 million a year and growing.

And this is not to mention the Paddock Club, which the dozy taxpayers also pay for. The Paddock Club (what a reassuringly upper-class horsy appellation) is the pavilion for toffs where our esteemed elected representatives get to be schmoozed by the truly rich and famous, while keeping us from knowing what the bottom line is for the Grand Prix. What are they hiding?

They tell us that Melbourne gets big-spending tourists and international recognition. Oh yes? Name the respective locations of the French, Austrian, German, British, Belgian and Japanese grand prix. You can't? $18 million is a lot to pay for that sort of brand recognition.

In fact, we do know that the Grand Prix operation makes a loss. Without seeing the balance sheet, we can deduce a loss from one simple fact - if it were making a profit, it would have been privatised. Given that the Grand Prix is the brainchild of the super-rich, why would they stand by and permit it to be run as a socialist cooperative if it were possible to make a buck or two from it?

The money is not made from the race itself. That is a financial albatross. The big dough is made by the owner (Ecclestone), the agent and go-betweens.

While our money is flying to tax havens in the Caribbean, the Channel Islands and Switzerland, our public schools and hospitals are cash-strapped. As an average Victorian taxpayer, where would you rather the government spent your hard-earned? On a "licence fee" for a foreign circus-owner, or to pay for 300 more nurses and teachers? Which strikes you as being the better value outcome for your dollar?

One final point. Bernie is under investigation in the EU for running a monopoly on the supply of Grands Prix to the world. We also have anti-monopoly rules in this country. It is time for Professor Allan Fels to look into the GP to see if it is in breach of the Trade Practices Act.

A whiff of botulism in the shucked oysters at the Paddock Club might bring one or two politicians to their senses. Or at least it would give us a laugh for our money.

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