Retail king Gerry Harvey says online shoppers buying bargains from overseas should accept paying more for the good of the country...
He said such shoppers would pay a far higher price in the long run because of lost jobs and a weaker Australian economy...
"Yes, you might have to pay more, but it's the right thing to do."
I burst out laughing when I read this. People are just amazing at times. Just a few years ago, Gerry Harvey was pushing a very different line. He was arguing that he had the right to bring in immigrant workers and pay them half of the going rate:
Billionaire retailer Gerry Harvey says Australia needs a two-tier wage system to allow employers to pay foreign guest workers less than locals...
He called on the Federal Government to allow foreign workers on fixed visas to form a second tier to the labour market.
"Australia doesn't have cheap labour. Many overseas workers would be prepared to move here for a much better life and half the money Australians earn," he said...
"I've got horse studs and it's difficult to get staff.
Mr Harvey said both major parties needed to open the gates to migrants.
"The US can draw on a lot of cheap labour from Mexico and South America," he said...
"European countries can draw on cheap labour from eastern Europe.
"What I'm saying is not politically correct.
"You won't get politicians saying what I'm saying, but privately they know this sort of thing is a reality in the future."
So where was his concern to "pay more because it's the right thing to do" back then? Where was his concern for unAustralian activities? Where was his concern for the good of Australian workers?
The only thing Gerry Harvey cares about is the bottom line. His nation is his business company.
And, seriously, if he wants Australians to show loyalty to the interests of his company, then it might be wise for him to begin to show a little bit of loyalty to us in return.
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