Doing business in different countries is difficult. When we are competing with French, English and Asians what are we to do?
While there are common areas of right and wrong in most countries the boundaries of right/ grey / wrong vary. Often corruption is just called different things.
In some countries it is a government requirement to have a 'local partner'. In some parts of Africa a 'black empowerment partner'is required. This results in gross enrichment of the politically well connected. It is the local law, it smells but is it corruption?
In other countries foreign companies have to employ ex local politicians as 'lobbyists' to get access to put arguments. This includes Australia. It isn't the law but it is the custom. It smells but is it corruption?
In many countries one has to hire cultural groups for bogus studies. This includes Australia. Is it corruption?
Often foreign corruption is fairer than Australian corruption. Here corrupt foreigners need to engage in fancy rituals to hide corruption. These rituals are only available to big companies not small.
The acceptable Australian versions of corruption include; 1) Paying ex pollies as 'lobbyists' to have ones case heard instead of standing in line. 2) appointing ex politicians to boards. They have no business skills but have preferential access to public servants and their discretion. 3)Political donations and attandance at 'fund raisers'. 4) Paying for young politicians to visit your homeland to embed them as moles. 5) payments and nods to politically connected aboriginal, environmental and union groups. 6) giving political publicity support in return for expected future favours. This includes timing of building notices and announcement rights sold to pollies. Public support at critical times (eg MRRT and carbon tax).
Australia is as corrupt as most other countries. Our politicians have made a science of it.
