1 00:00:03,290 --> 00:00:07,090 Sean Aylmer: Welcome to Fear and Greed, the Sunday edition. It's the 26th 2 00:00:07,090 --> 00:00:10,000 Sean Aylmer: of September, 2021 and I'm Sean Aylmer. This is our 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:11,910 Sean Aylmer: Sunday show where we have a bit of a change 4 00:00:11,910 --> 00:00:14,200 Sean Aylmer: of pace, and we look at some of our favorite 5 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,810 Sean Aylmer: stories for the week. As always, I'm joined by the 6 00:00:16,810 --> 00:00:20,569 Sean Aylmer: Fear and Greed team. Adamski, Adam Lang, good morning. 7 00:00:20,850 --> 00:00:21,479 Adam Lang: Good morning, Sean. 8 00:00:21,850 --> 00:00:25,720 Sean Aylmer: Mickey T, Michael Thompson, a regular voice on the podcast 9 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:26,610 Sean Aylmer: nowadays. Good morning. 10 00:00:26,820 --> 00:00:27,750 Michael Thompson: Good morning, Sean. 11 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,310 Sean Aylmer: Michael, I know you love to jump in with reviews. 12 00:00:30,310 --> 00:00:31,450 Sean Aylmer: Did we get any this week? 13 00:00:31,630 --> 00:00:37,250 Michael Thompson: We had a cracking review from a listener called Seth, 14 00:00:37,530 --> 00:00:42,210 Michael Thompson: who is a fan of the Sunday show and he writes, " 15 00:00:42,420 --> 00:00:45,560 Michael Thompson: it's like the insight section of the newspaper, if the 16 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:49,220 Michael Thompson: paper could talk and have a debate. Five stars". And 17 00:00:49,220 --> 00:00:51,530 Michael Thompson: look that got me thinking, and I'm very grateful for the 18 00:00:51,530 --> 00:00:54,370 Michael Thompson: five stars, that's very nice, but it made me wonder 19 00:00:54,370 --> 00:00:57,660 Michael Thompson: what parts of the paper we are. And I figured 20 00:00:57,660 --> 00:01:01,410 Michael Thompson: that Sean, you're obviously the business section. I'm probably the 21 00:01:01,410 --> 00:01:04,250 Michael Thompson: classified cause I'm a bit light on detail sometimes. 22 00:01:05,220 --> 00:01:07,850 Sean Aylmer: Well, no, no, no, no, no. The classified has to be Adamsky doesn't it? 23 00:01:08,569 --> 00:01:11,839 Michael Thompson: Well, I was thinking Adam would perhaps be the crossword 24 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,090 Michael Thompson: because there's very strict rules around it. It's the one 25 00:01:15,090 --> 00:01:18,760 Michael Thompson: that looks most like a spreadsheet. But, the thing that 26 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:20,910 Michael Thompson: goes against it is I've never heard Adam give a 27 00:01:20,910 --> 00:01:21,840 Michael Thompson: one word answer. 28 00:01:22,100 --> 00:01:23,120 Sean Aylmer: Oh, I like it. 29 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:23,620 Adam Lang: Thanks. 30 00:01:24,370 --> 00:01:26,399 Sean Aylmer: I don't know whether they still have them, I must 31 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,319 Sean Aylmer: admit. The share tables. Don't think Adam would be more 32 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:33,770 Sean Aylmer: share tables. It's structured. It's precise. 33 00:01:33,910 --> 00:01:35,390 Adam Lang: Well, now you're verging on flattery. 34 00:01:35,459 --> 00:01:39,450 Sean Aylmer: There's just lots and lots of numbers on it. So 35 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:41,679 Sean Aylmer: thank you for the review and the five stars. That's 36 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:46,010 Sean Aylmer: great. I'm not sure, Michael, you pay yourself down. I 37 00:01:46,010 --> 00:01:49,490 Sean Aylmer: think you'd be kind of like the long form journalism, 38 00:01:49,490 --> 00:01:51,640 Sean Aylmer: the more you read, the more you listen to, the 39 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:54,059 Sean Aylmer: more you find out. I think Adam would be the 40 00:01:54,060 --> 00:01:58,080 Sean Aylmer: front page. Really. Like kind of on the money, know what's 41 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,100 Sean Aylmer: going on. I'm probably a bit more ponderous than that. 42 00:02:01,670 --> 00:02:05,110 Sean Aylmer: Maybe arts and entertainment or something like that. I don't know. 43 00:02:05,110 --> 00:02:07,010 Michael Thompson: They're the comics. 44 00:02:07,470 --> 00:02:11,340 Sean Aylmer: Look, let's kick things off. Adam, what a week for Melbournites. 45 00:02:11,830 --> 00:02:15,350 Adam Lang: It's been extraordinary, Sean, hasn't it? If the Melbourne lockdown 46 00:02:15,580 --> 00:02:19,120 Adam Lang: ends as planned on October the 26th, Melbourne will have 47 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:23,820 Adam Lang: spent 267 days in hard lockdown since March last year. 48 00:02:23,820 --> 00:02:28,209 Adam Lang: Now collectively, that's nearly nine months. And at that point 49 00:02:28,460 --> 00:02:31,780 Adam Lang: it would become the most locked down city in the world. 50 00:02:32,340 --> 00:02:35,210 Adam Lang: So rounding out the top five will be Argentina's Buenos 51 00:02:35,210 --> 00:02:39,880 Adam Lang: Aires in second, then Dublin, then London and then Prague. 52 00:02:40,500 --> 00:02:43,350 Adam Lang: So what a week in Melbourne too. We saw daily 53 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:47,780 Adam Lang: lockdown protests and some really ugly scenes. Then if that 54 00:02:47,780 --> 00:02:51,310 Adam Lang: wasn't enough, there was an earthquake on Wednesday. Then on Friday, 55 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:54,840 Adam Lang: John Elliott, one of Melbourne's most well known business identities, 56 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:57,329 Adam Lang: passed away. And I must say our thoughts go out 57 00:02:57,330 --> 00:02:59,930 Adam Lang: to Tom Elliott and the rest of the grieving family. 58 00:03:00,250 --> 00:03:03,480 Adam Lang: And yesterday was the second AFL grand final not to 59 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,790 Adam Lang: be held at the MCG. So Brisbane hosted last year and 60 00:03:06,790 --> 00:03:10,579 Adam Lang: then Perth yesterday. So it's not just the game itself, 61 00:03:10,580 --> 00:03:14,950 Adam Lang: but a whole week of great fun AFL activity and 62 00:03:14,950 --> 00:03:17,359 Adam Lang: business that Melbourne has missed. Now twice. 63 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:21,190 Sean Aylmer: Now, Adam, Adam, Adam, you are so precise on everything. Where 64 00:03:21,190 --> 00:03:24,970 Sean Aylmer: was the 1991 AFL Grand Final played? 65 00:03:25,690 --> 00:03:26,860 Adam Lang: Gee Sean, I don't know. 66 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:31,080 Sean Aylmer: Because you said it was the second game not to be hosted 67 00:03:31,370 --> 00:03:35,120 Sean Aylmer: at the MCG, which technically is not correct. It's the third. 68 00:03:35,130 --> 00:03:39,520 Adam Lang: Oh, thank you. So looking ahead, the Melbourne Cup is 69 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,240 Adam Lang: due to be held on Tuesday the 2nd of November. 70 00:03:42,630 --> 00:03:45,640 Adam Lang: And at this point, Premier Daniel Andrews is aiming to 71 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:50,130 Adam Lang: have 80% of the state's eligible population, fully vaccinated, which 72 00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:53,370 Adam Lang: would leave the door open for crowds at the track. 73 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:58,370 Adam Lang: So, Sean, given everything that's happened, how important is having 74 00:03:58,370 --> 00:03:59,851 Adam Lang: crowds at the Melbourne Cup this year? 75 00:03:59,851 --> 00:04:05,510 Sean Aylmer: Given everything that's happened? Not very, unless you're missing out yourself. Now, 76 00:04:06,260 --> 00:04:08,330 Sean Aylmer: have you guys been to the Melbourne Cup or any 77 00:04:08,330 --> 00:04:11,270 Sean Aylmer: Derby day or any of the carnival down there and hung around 78 00:04:11,270 --> 00:04:12,560 Sean Aylmer: the bird cage and things like that? 79 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:13,230 Adam Lang: I have. 80 00:04:13,330 --> 00:04:16,409 Sean Aylmer: Yeah, it is great fun. Like it, Melbourne is a 81 00:04:16,410 --> 00:04:20,440 Sean Aylmer: party city I reckon from about late October through till the end of 82 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,410 Sean Aylmer: the Australian Open tennis. And there is no better city 83 00:04:24,410 --> 00:04:27,470 Sean Aylmer: in the country than Melbourne in that whole summer period. 84 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:29,710 Sean Aylmer: It starts with the horse racing. It pushes into the 85 00:04:29,710 --> 00:04:33,050 Sean Aylmer: cricket season, into the tennis season. They have lots of 86 00:04:33,050 --> 00:04:36,520 Sean Aylmer: festivals. It really is quite incredible. Your question was, does 87 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:37,920 Sean Aylmer: it matter that there's not a crowd at the Melbourne 88 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:39,810 Sean Aylmer: cup? Of course it doesn't at the end of the 89 00:04:39,810 --> 00:04:44,810 Sean Aylmer: day, because COVID is such a crisis and we need 90 00:04:44,810 --> 00:04:47,880 Sean Aylmer: to get to the end of it or at least to get it to acceptable and 91 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:54,380 Sean Aylmer: reasonable levels so that we can all live a somewhat normal life. But, next 92 00:04:54,380 --> 00:04:56,010 Sean Aylmer: year I think it should be the biggest Melbourne Cup 93 00:04:56,010 --> 00:05:00,570 Sean Aylmer: ever. They should absolutely bust the seams at Flemington and 94 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,589 Sean Aylmer: Melbourne should celebrate for three months next year, post COVID, 95 00:05:03,589 --> 00:05:06,420 Sean Aylmer: because it is such a wonderful town and the Melbourne 96 00:05:06,420 --> 00:05:07,610 Sean Aylmer: Cup is such a wonderful event. 97 00:05:07,890 --> 00:05:09,049 Adam Lang: Michael, how are you seeing it? 98 00:05:09,580 --> 00:05:12,740 Michael Thompson: Well, I think that the lack of crowds at the 99 00:05:12,740 --> 00:05:17,020 Michael Thompson: Melbourne Cup deprive us of one of the greatest joys 100 00:05:17,300 --> 00:05:19,680 Michael Thompson: of the year. And it may not be one that 101 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,570 Michael Thompson: either of you two have experienced. On " Melbourne Cup Day" 102 00:05:23,650 --> 00:05:31,820 Michael Thompson: night on Channel Nine, A Current Affair do a special 103 00:05:31,820 --> 00:05:35,820 Michael Thompson: feature, where they send a reporter, and it's always Martin 104 00:05:35,820 --> 00:05:40,260 Michael Thompson: King, every year he goes there, and it is 10 105 00:05:40,260 --> 00:05:47,669 Michael Thompson: minutes of him interviewing progressively drunker punters. And it is 106 00:05:47,860 --> 00:05:51,060 Michael Thompson: 10 minutes of people thinking they can sing. Of people 107 00:05:51,060 --> 00:05:53,580 Michael Thompson: thinking they can dance. Of people thinking that they are 108 00:05:53,580 --> 00:05:57,380 Michael Thompson: hilarious. And it is the greatest 10 minutes of TV 109 00:05:57,380 --> 00:05:59,890 Michael Thompson: that you will see all year. So whilever there aren't 110 00:06:00,060 --> 00:06:04,589 Michael Thompson: crowds at the Melbourne cup, we are being deprived of that. 111 00:06:04,589 --> 00:06:05,729 Adam Lang: Australia at our best. 112 00:06:06,029 --> 00:06:08,620 Michael Thompson: It certainly is. Yes. It's a secret shame that's no 113 00:06:08,620 --> 00:06:09,520 Michael Thompson: longer so secret. 114 00:06:10,210 --> 00:06:12,730 Sean Aylmer: I've never actually seen that on A Current Affair on 115 00:06:12,730 --> 00:06:18,229 Sean Aylmer: the night of, because often on previous jobs and that we've been fortunate 116 00:06:18,250 --> 00:06:21,370 Sean Aylmer: enough to be in some of those places and god 117 00:06:21,370 --> 00:06:21,970 Sean Aylmer: it's good fun. 118 00:06:24,339 --> 00:06:24,340 Michael Thompson: You are one of them? 119 00:06:24,340 --> 00:06:27,529 Sean Aylmer: I hope not. Actually I must say I was once working, at 120 00:06:27,529 --> 00:06:29,940 Sean Aylmer: Fairfax at the time, and I had just ducked down for 121 00:06:30,029 --> 00:06:33,360 Sean Aylmer: the day and the CEO of the company rang me because 122 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:35,830 Sean Aylmer: something had happened on the day. And I had just 123 00:06:35,830 --> 00:06:38,539 Sean Aylmer: gotten out of the taxi or whatever. I was walking 124 00:06:38,540 --> 00:06:41,980 Sean Aylmer: into Flemington, talking with the CEO, sort of hoping that he didn't realize 125 00:06:41,980 --> 00:06:43,820 Sean Aylmer: I was actually at the races. You know, you just 126 00:06:43,820 --> 00:06:46,460 Sean Aylmer: sort of, " oh", I was slightly uncomfortable doing it. And 127 00:06:47,950 --> 00:06:52,610 Sean Aylmer: the guys with the bugles just started blasting away right 128 00:06:52,930 --> 00:06:55,050 Sean Aylmer: next to me, as I'm trying to have this serious 129 00:06:55,050 --> 00:06:58,029 Sean Aylmer: conversation with the CEO of the company. And he said, " Sean, you're at 130 00:06:58,029 --> 00:07:01,659 Sean Aylmer: the races?". " Yeah, yeah, I am". Fair enough. Maybe we 131 00:07:01,660 --> 00:07:04,630 Sean Aylmer: should talk about this tomorrow. Yeah, maybe. And that was 132 00:07:04,630 --> 00:07:09,001 Sean Aylmer: that. Hey at Waverley Park, by the way, 91 (inaudible) 133 00:07:09,730 --> 00:07:11,080 Michael Thompson: Okay. Yep. Fair, good call. 134 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,390 Sean Aylmer: Now the other thing, Adam, you were talking about the return of kids 135 00:07:13,390 --> 00:07:15,370 Sean Aylmer: to sport. That's something that's close to your heart. 136 00:07:15,530 --> 00:07:18,360 Adam Lang: Oh, very much. And look, nearly half of Australia has 137 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,470 Adam Lang: been locked down at various times. And so I'm guessing, 138 00:07:21,470 --> 00:07:23,330 Adam Lang: even if you haven't been through lockdown, you can certainly 139 00:07:23,330 --> 00:07:25,770 Adam Lang: empathize with this. And if you've been in lockdown, you 140 00:07:25,940 --> 00:07:28,870 Adam Lang: really will. So at the end of October, we are 141 00:07:28,870 --> 00:07:32,630 Adam Lang: hoping to see the start of children returning to school 142 00:07:32,740 --> 00:07:35,510 Adam Lang: in New South Wales and Victoria, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. 143 00:07:36,130 --> 00:07:39,490 Adam Lang: In New South Wales, community sport can only happen if 144 00:07:39,490 --> 00:07:42,930 Adam Lang: it complies with gathering rules. So that rules out team 145 00:07:42,930 --> 00:07:46,650 Adam Lang: sport, at the moment. In Victoria, pretty much the same 146 00:07:46,650 --> 00:07:49,720 Adam Lang: thing. So we haven't really got a clear line of 147 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:53,510 Adam Lang: sight or a goal about when community sport might come 148 00:07:53,510 --> 00:07:58,100 Adam Lang: back into the frame. So, given the various coping mechanisms 149 00:07:58,410 --> 00:08:00,710 Adam Lang: that around half of Australians have had to develop to 150 00:08:00,710 --> 00:08:04,370 Adam Lang: get through lockdown, I think the return of community sport 151 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:06,730 Adam Lang: is the next big thing that I'm looking forward to. 152 00:08:06,730 --> 00:08:10,340 Adam Lang: The physical and the mental health improvements through being able 153 00:08:10,470 --> 00:08:13,840 Adam Lang: to play and socialize through sport. And there's a lot 154 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:17,390 Adam Lang: of businesses that can really gain from this. So, as 155 00:08:17,390 --> 00:08:20,500 Adam Lang: we head toward the target of 80% of eligible people 156 00:08:20,500 --> 00:08:24,030 Adam Lang: being vaccinated, I'm looking for a target date, a goal 157 00:08:24,030 --> 00:08:26,110 Adam Lang: that we can work toward as to when we can 158 00:08:26,110 --> 00:08:30,580 Adam Lang: start getting community sport back into our calendars. Michael, are 159 00:08:30,580 --> 00:08:31,100 Adam Lang: you with me? 160 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:35,240 Michael Thompson: Look, I can agree with you on the importance of 161 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:38,670 Michael Thompson: community sport. My kids are a bit too young for 162 00:08:38,670 --> 00:08:42,209 Michael Thompson: community sport. For me, the big kind of thing will 163 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:47,040 Michael Thompson: be the start of term four and a likely return 164 00:08:47,090 --> 00:08:51,770 Michael Thompson: to preschool, which will be a pretty big milestone. But 165 00:08:51,770 --> 00:08:54,650 Michael Thompson: the big thing that I'm holding onto is really just 166 00:08:54,710 --> 00:08:57,610 Michael Thompson: the idea of being able to have a family Christmas. 167 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:00,500 Michael Thompson: That it seems like a long way away, but as 168 00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:05,010 Michael Thompson: we've seen, the unexpected can happen. And you just hope 169 00:09:05,010 --> 00:09:08,650 Michael Thompson: that we continue on the path that we're on and 170 00:09:08,650 --> 00:09:11,260 Michael Thompson: that we do hit the vaccination milestones that we get 171 00:09:11,260 --> 00:09:15,940 Michael Thompson: to because a family Christmas essentially means crossing state borders. 172 00:09:16,350 --> 00:09:19,300 Michael Thompson: And I'm kind of holding onto that as being the 173 00:09:19,370 --> 00:09:21,170 Michael Thompson: thing that is really the light at the end of 174 00:09:21,170 --> 00:09:21,679 Michael Thompson: the tunnel. 175 00:09:21,870 --> 00:09:22,989 Adam Lang: It's a great goal, Sean. 176 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:27,089 Sean Aylmer: Well, I kind of agree, but I have like no 177 00:09:27,090 --> 00:09:30,410 Sean Aylmer: school sport and no community sport on the weekends. So 178 00:09:30,410 --> 00:09:33,860 Sean Aylmer: as you know, I have many children and most of them 179 00:09:33,980 --> 00:09:38,490 Sean Aylmer: sport play at least two sports. So my weekends, particularly 180 00:09:38,490 --> 00:09:41,020 Sean Aylmer: during school terms, there's school sport on Saturday and there's 181 00:09:41,020 --> 00:09:44,520 Sean Aylmer: club sport on Sunday. And for me to have four 182 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,120 Sean Aylmer: or five games of sport on a day is not 183 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:52,670 Sean Aylmer: unusual. I'm kind of liking this whole lockdown and I 184 00:09:52,670 --> 00:09:54,840 Sean Aylmer: feel sorry for the kids and they need to, and yeah 185 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,580 Sean Aylmer: you're probably right Adam, but there is an upside of 186 00:09:57,580 --> 00:09:59,910 Sean Aylmer: not driving kids around all the time. 187 00:10:03,500 --> 00:10:03,501 Adam Lang: All right. So I've won neither of you with this one. 188 00:10:03,501 --> 00:10:05,439 Sean Aylmer: No, no. I mean, I think you are right. I just 189 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:09,540 Sean Aylmer: think it's worth mentioning that the vaccination rates. So, where 190 00:10:09,540 --> 00:10:13,750 Sean Aylmer: we're at now, the national rates around 50% and that's 191 00:10:13,750 --> 00:10:16,630 Sean Aylmer: for the fully vaccinated and for the first dose, it's 192 00:10:16,630 --> 00:10:20,890 Sean Aylmer: heading towards 75%. If you take New South Wales, because 193 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,990 Sean Aylmer: apart from the ACT, I think it's the best in terms 194 00:10:23,990 --> 00:10:26,950 Sean Aylmer: of vaccination rates. And it's at 84% for first dose 195 00:10:27,340 --> 00:10:31,510 Sean Aylmer: and 57% or there abouts for fully vaccinated. What I think is really encouraging 196 00:10:31,860 --> 00:10:34,640 Sean Aylmer: about that, and some of these protesters we saw during 197 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,580 Sean Aylmer: the week in the anti- vaxxers and that, New South Wales, 198 00:10:37,580 --> 00:10:42,620 Sean Aylmer: which is probably typical, if it's at 84/ 85% one jab, 199 00:10:42,620 --> 00:10:45,870 Sean Aylmer: even if you get a loss of people going for 200 00:10:45,870 --> 00:10:49,240 Sean Aylmer: their second jab, for whatever reason, it looks like we 201 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:53,550 Sean Aylmer: will achieve that 80% target. Now, if you go to 202 00:10:53,550 --> 00:10:57,689 Sean Aylmer: the US. Fully vaccination rates in the US I think 203 00:10:57,690 --> 00:11:00,950 Sean Aylmer: is low 60's, not withstanding all the noise about it 204 00:11:00,950 --> 00:11:04,010 Sean Aylmer: and how well it's done, it's low 60's. Singapore is 205 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:07,770 Sean Aylmer: 82% and that's the golden child around the globe at 206 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,819 Sean Aylmer: the moment. It's just really, really encouraging, I think, that 207 00:11:11,820 --> 00:11:14,930 Sean Aylmer: 84% of New South Welshman have had the first dose, 208 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:19,140 Sean Aylmer: cause it does mean that, all things being equal, the 209 00:11:19,140 --> 00:11:23,020 Sean Aylmer: country will hit that 80% rate sometime before Christmas, allowing 210 00:11:23,020 --> 00:11:26,270 Sean Aylmer: you Michael, to head down to the ACT and enjoy Christmas. 211 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:29,100 Michael Thompson: Yeah. What do you think it is that that's led 212 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:33,520 Michael Thompson: to us getting such high rates? Is it that we're a compliant 213 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:37,130 Michael Thompson: bunch or is it the fact that Australians have been 214 00:11:37,130 --> 00:11:41,970 Michael Thompson: deprived of a lot because of the lockdowns, that other 215 00:11:41,970 --> 00:11:44,929 Michael Thompson: countries haven't really endured in the same way. So that 216 00:11:44,929 --> 00:11:48,380 Michael Thompson: suddenly we can see the enormous benefits of being vaccinated. 217 00:11:48,940 --> 00:11:51,720 Sean Aylmer: Maybe this goes back to your point, Adam, when you 218 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:54,950 Sean Aylmer: are the most locked down city in the world, and the way out 219 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,119 Sean Aylmer: of that is vaccination, then you've got a far greater 220 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:02,650 Sean Aylmer: incentive to do that. And that's where Melbourne stands. Sydney 221 00:12:02,650 --> 00:12:06,020 Sean Aylmer: during the week had its 90th day of continual lockdown. 222 00:12:06,210 --> 00:12:09,859 Sean Aylmer: So Sydneysiders are keen to get vaccinated as well. Maybe that's 223 00:12:09,860 --> 00:12:14,140 Sean Aylmer: just the sort of unintended consequence and, potentially, benefit of these 224 00:12:14,140 --> 00:12:15,010 Sean Aylmer: harsh lockdowns. 225 00:12:15,690 --> 00:12:20,120 Adam Lang: Yeah. I think it's absolutely to do with being locked down and 226 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:25,079 Adam Lang: finally we've got supply. So it seems that, for anyone 227 00:12:25,140 --> 00:12:28,079 Adam Lang: that wants to be vaccinated, you can get it, or 228 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:29,650 Adam Lang: at least you can get those bookings in. 229 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,640 Sean Aylmer: Now when you're in lockdown, some of us put on 230 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,510 Sean Aylmer: a few kilos, some of us drink too much. Michael, 231 00:12:36,590 --> 00:12:37,880 Sean Aylmer: I'm not sure why I'm thinking about you for this 232 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:40,959 Sean Aylmer: one. I know you got very excited about the story 233 00:12:41,010 --> 00:12:42,609 Sean Aylmer: on craft beer this week. 234 00:12:42,950 --> 00:12:46,870 Michael Thompson: I absolutely did because I'm a fan of craft beer. 235 00:12:46,870 --> 00:12:49,569 Michael Thompson: Like a lot of people are these days. And it's 236 00:12:49,570 --> 00:12:52,220 Michael Thompson: why it was probably one of my favorite stories this 237 00:12:52,220 --> 00:12:56,770 Michael Thompson: week, about the proposed purchase of craft beer company, Fermentum, 238 00:12:56,770 --> 00:13:00,700 Michael Thompson: by, well, really a giant in the industry, Lion. The 239 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:03,790 Michael Thompson: deal's worth more than 500 million, but it does need 240 00:13:03,790 --> 00:13:08,720 Michael Thompson: the approval of the ACCC first. So Fermentum, the best 241 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:12,530 Michael Thompson: known brand there would be Stone & Wood. Sean, you've had 242 00:13:12,530 --> 00:13:13,160 Michael Thompson: it, I would imagine. 243 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:15,859 Sean Aylmer: I have had Stone & Wood. Is it a craft beer? 244 00:13:15,860 --> 00:13:16,760 Sean Aylmer: Is that what you're going to ask? 245 00:13:16,850 --> 00:13:20,020 Michael Thompson: Well, No, I'm not going to ask because I'm just going 246 00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:24,050 Michael Thompson: to tell you the answer. It was a craft beer 247 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,870 Michael Thompson: and it has been probably one of the main beers 248 00:13:27,870 --> 00:13:32,470 Michael Thompson: within the craft beer industry. Arguably it's no longer a 249 00:13:32,470 --> 00:13:36,300 Michael Thompson: craft beer because it is being purchased by a multinational 250 00:13:36,300 --> 00:13:39,400 Michael Thompson: corporation. And that's really what the ACCC is kind of 251 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:43,640 Michael Thompson: looking at. Because there's been a lot of purchases by 252 00:13:43,730 --> 00:13:47,050 Michael Thompson: Lion and by Carlton & United Breweries over recent years, they've 253 00:13:47,050 --> 00:13:50,910 Michael Thompson: bought dozens of craft beer brands. They're now looking at, 254 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:55,770 Michael Thompson: in relation to the Fermentum purchase and the Stone & Wood purchase, what 255 00:13:55,770 --> 00:13:58,059 Michael Thompson: is a craft beer? What is the competition within the 256 00:13:58,059 --> 00:14:01,599 Michael Thompson: industry like? Whether any of these other smaller beers are 257 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:05,849 Michael Thompson: able to expand to fill that gap. But really for 258 00:14:05,850 --> 00:14:08,350 Michael Thompson: me, there's another twist to the story. And this is 259 00:14:08,350 --> 00:14:12,000 Michael Thompson: the part that I find really fascinating. The founders of 260 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:17,220 Michael Thompson: Stone & Wood have been huge advocates of independent brewing. For 261 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,210 Michael Thompson: a number of years they've been leaders within the industry. 262 00:14:21,410 --> 00:14:24,550 Michael Thompson: And they've actually been quite critical in the past of 263 00:14:24,670 --> 00:14:29,810 Michael Thompson: other craft breweries selling to the giants. Back in 2017, 264 00:14:30,510 --> 00:14:35,080 Michael Thompson: one of those founders said that any brewery who uses 265 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:38,350 Michael Thompson: the loyalty of their customers to cash in their chips, 266 00:14:38,350 --> 00:14:41,750 Michael Thompson: breaks the trust to the people who support them. And 267 00:14:41,750 --> 00:14:45,340 Michael Thompson: so you can imagine now, Stone & Wood have been absolutely 268 00:14:45,340 --> 00:14:50,840 Michael Thompson: hammered by their usually loyal supporters. So I was curious 269 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:53,920 Michael Thompson: just to get your thoughts on it. Adam, I think 270 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:55,900 Michael Thompson: it's entirely fair that they should be able to sell, 271 00:14:55,900 --> 00:14:57,970 Michael Thompson: and good on them for kind of building the business 272 00:14:57,970 --> 00:14:59,920 Michael Thompson: to that level that they're able to fetch what is a 273 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:03,390 Michael Thompson: pretty spectacular price for it. But maybe there's a bit 274 00:15:03,390 --> 00:15:06,100 Michael Thompson: of a lesson there about being too vocal and too 275 00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:09,450 Michael Thompson: idealistic early on in the business before they're actually at 276 00:15:09,450 --> 00:15:10,900 Michael Thompson: the point of selling up themselves. 277 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,650 Adam Lang: Look, good on them for building a great business that 278 00:15:13,690 --> 00:15:16,610 Adam Lang: has appeal and can be sold. I think it's terrific. 279 00:15:17,090 --> 00:15:21,140 Adam Lang: Obviously, some of their former statements are held in high 280 00:15:21,140 --> 00:15:25,010 Adam Lang: question now and that's righteous too. So yeah, they just 281 00:15:25,010 --> 00:15:29,960 Adam Lang: shouldn't have spoken in that way. It just looks like 282 00:15:30,580 --> 00:15:33,300 Adam Lang: hypocrisy, when it comes around to the time they do 283 00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:36,190 Adam Lang: want to sell. But then there's that question that comes 284 00:15:36,190 --> 00:15:38,510 Adam Lang: into my mind, having worked in pubs to pay my 285 00:15:38,510 --> 00:15:43,220 Adam Lang: way through university, and a bit beyond, I love a 286 00:15:43,220 --> 00:15:45,940 Adam Lang: pub, and there was always this debate about, does it 287 00:15:45,940 --> 00:15:49,520 Adam Lang: taste better out of the tap or through a bottle 288 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:52,380 Adam Lang: or a can? And so, you know, I think some 289 00:15:52,380 --> 00:15:55,700 Adam Lang: of their fans, some of the Stone & Wood real aficionados, 290 00:15:55,700 --> 00:15:58,540 Adam Lang: might be looking for, is the taste going to change? 291 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,800 Michael Thompson: Well, they always insist that it doesn't. I'll be willing 292 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:06,670 Michael Thompson: to test sample extensively. I'll do kind of some before 293 00:16:06,670 --> 00:16:09,450 Michael Thompson: and after testing. Willing to volunteer. 294 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:11,590 Sean Aylmer: One thing I would say, there was a guy called Scott 295 00:16:11,590 --> 00:16:13,580 Sean Aylmer: Ellis, who I worked with at the Herald many years 296 00:16:13,580 --> 00:16:15,460 Sean Aylmer: ago. And it was a leap year, so I'm guessing 297 00:16:15,460 --> 00:16:19,760 Sean Aylmer: it was like 2012 or thereabouts. He decided to drink a 298 00:16:19,910 --> 00:16:22,540 Sean Aylmer: different style of beer every day. And I know it 299 00:16:22,540 --> 00:16:25,640 Sean Aylmer: was a leap year, cause it was 366 different bears he needed. 300 00:16:26,670 --> 00:16:27,760 Adam Lang: Gee that's impressive. 301 00:16:27,990 --> 00:16:30,760 Sean Aylmer: Yeah. And so every day, but once he got to this sort of 302 00:16:31,210 --> 00:16:34,930 Sean Aylmer: 200 or a bit beyond that, he really found it 303 00:16:34,930 --> 00:16:41,210 Sean Aylmer: difficult to find a different beer. So, those of us 304 00:16:41,210 --> 00:16:43,100 Sean Aylmer: that worked at the Sydney Morning Herald at the time 305 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:47,620 Sean Aylmer: were in search of craft beers and different styles of beers. And I remember that some in 306 00:16:47,620 --> 00:16:50,300 Sean Aylmer: the Inner West suddenly popped up and so there's like 307 00:16:50,300 --> 00:16:52,900 Sean Aylmer: an Indian Pale Ale and a Pale Ale and extra 308 00:16:52,900 --> 00:16:54,680 Sean Aylmer: Pale Ale. So there was three extra ones for him. 309 00:16:54,680 --> 00:17:00,979 Sean Aylmer: And nowadays though, there are hundreds and hundreds and I've 310 00:17:00,980 --> 00:17:02,380 Sean Aylmer: seen the number, I just can't bring it to mind, 311 00:17:02,380 --> 00:17:06,630 Sean Aylmer: but you know, close to a thousand different craft beers. And in 312 00:17:06,630 --> 00:17:11,180 Sean Aylmer: that 10 years, since Scott did his little project, it 313 00:17:11,180 --> 00:17:16,440 Sean Aylmer: is amazing how many different styles of beer have emerged in 314 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:20,050 Sean Aylmer: Australia. And of course, what that has meant is that 315 00:17:20,050 --> 00:17:25,420 Sean Aylmer: the XXXX's and VB's and Toohey's Dry have lost, proportionately 316 00:17:25,420 --> 00:17:29,119 Sean Aylmer: lost, a lot of customage. And so everyone's drinking craft 317 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,880 Sean Aylmer: beers. An interesting one is Carlton Draft, which sort of 318 00:17:33,150 --> 00:17:36,240 Sean Aylmer: was able to reinvent itself as a worker's beer with 319 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:38,680 Sean Aylmer: a little bit of a craft style to it. You know, 320 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:42,960 Sean Aylmer: Carlton Draft is just a bit better than VB or 321 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:45,700 Sean Aylmer: Toohey's or something like that. So it's been a really interesting 322 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:49,100 Sean Aylmer: industry, the beer industry over the last 10 years. And 323 00:17:49,150 --> 00:17:51,560 Sean Aylmer: you know, it'd be quite easy to probably have two 324 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:53,820 Sean Aylmer: different styles of beer every day for a year, which is something 325 00:17:53,820 --> 00:17:54,990 Sean Aylmer: Michael, you perhaps could try. 326 00:17:55,380 --> 00:17:57,700 Michael Thompson: Yeah. Scott Ellis is my new inspiration. 327 00:17:57,950 --> 00:18:01,419 Adam Lang: Yeah. Now Sean, before we move on, did Scott have 328 00:18:01,420 --> 00:18:01,900 Adam Lang: a winner? 329 00:18:02,210 --> 00:18:08,810 Sean Aylmer: The loser was his liver. You might think someone who's 330 00:18:08,810 --> 00:18:11,389 Sean Aylmer: drinking beer every day, you could pick them, Scott wasn't. 331 00:18:11,390 --> 00:18:14,119 Sean Aylmer: Scott was a fit guy. He was just doing it 332 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:17,550 Sean Aylmer: for the sake of the science perhaps or something like 333 00:18:17,550 --> 00:18:21,639 Sean Aylmer: that. I got to talk about acronyms and I know I want to go 334 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:25,389 Sean Aylmer: and bring Michael into this one. One I heard this 335 00:18:25,390 --> 00:18:31,340 Sean Aylmer: week that has been around for eight years or something was MIKTA, which is some 336 00:18:31,340 --> 00:18:38,790 Sean Aylmer: sort of agreement between M's Mexico, I's Indonesia, K's Korea, 337 00:18:39,369 --> 00:18:42,270 Sean Aylmer: T is Turkey and the A, believe it or not, 338 00:18:42,270 --> 00:18:45,820 Sean Aylmer: is Australia. So apparently we have great relations with Mexico, 339 00:18:45,820 --> 00:18:50,510 Sean Aylmer: Indonesia, Korea and Turkey. MIKTA put out it's second statement 340 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:53,940 Sean Aylmer: ever this week, which suggested me it's a total waste 341 00:18:53,940 --> 00:18:57,109 Sean Aylmer: of time. And then we have, Michael, AUKUS. Do you 342 00:18:57,109 --> 00:18:57,710 Sean Aylmer: like that one? 343 00:18:58,060 --> 00:19:00,750 Michael Thompson: Yeah. I'm a fan of AUKUS. I'm a fan of 344 00:19:00,750 --> 00:19:06,290 Michael Thompson: pretty much any acronym really. And I think that this 345 00:19:06,290 --> 00:19:08,830 Michael Thompson: was a pretty spectacular week because I learned something from 346 00:19:08,830 --> 00:19:09,330 Michael Thompson: you, Sean. 347 00:19:10,730 --> 00:19:13,869 Sean Aylmer: So that's why it's spectacular. You actually learned something from me. 348 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,440 Michael Thompson: It was learning about MIKTA and that is going to 349 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:18,669 Michael Thompson: come up at a pub trivia night, at some point, 350 00:19:18,670 --> 00:19:20,800 Michael Thompson: you can be sure of it. And it may well 351 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,240 Michael Thompson: be a jackpot question I suspect, and I will know 352 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:26,590 Michael Thompson: it now, thanks to you. But I mean, this week 353 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,619 Michael Thompson: we've had AUKUS, The Quad being talked about, we had 354 00:19:29,619 --> 00:19:32,850 Michael Thompson: Five Eyes being talked about. A bunch of other multilateral 355 00:19:32,850 --> 00:19:36,320 Michael Thompson: organizations. MIKTA was a real standout for me. And I 356 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:38,869 Michael Thompson: thought it was a bit of an odd grouping. I 357 00:19:38,869 --> 00:19:41,679 Michael Thompson: wasn't really sure what they all have in common. I 358 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:43,630 Michael Thompson: did a bit of research. They're all members of the 359 00:19:43,630 --> 00:19:47,640 Michael Thompson: G20 and they're all in that middle power range. And 360 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:51,480 Michael Thompson: then that apparently sparks a debate. Whether Australia should be 361 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:54,940 Michael Thompson: called a middle power or a top 20 nation, which 362 00:19:55,060 --> 00:19:58,179 Michael Thompson: is a very, very dull debate to be having. But 363 00:19:58,180 --> 00:20:00,900 Michael Thompson: anyway, I thought I would share instead with you, my 364 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:05,830 Michael Thompson: favorite regional grouping from all of my research into acronyms 365 00:20:05,830 --> 00:20:10,760 Michael Thompson: and multilateral organizations. It's better than AUKUS. It is better 366 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:18,330 Michael Thompson: than MIKTA. It is SaarLorLux, which is a group of 367 00:20:18,330 --> 00:20:24,130 Michael Thompson: five regional authorities in Europe, Saarland, Lorraine, and Luxembourg. It 368 00:20:24,770 --> 00:20:27,240 Michael Thompson: is again, a really useless piece of trivia. It is 369 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:29,119 Michael Thompson: a slippery slope, because from there, you end up at 370 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:34,020 Michael Thompson: the Pacific Pumas, the Asian Tigers and the not particularly catchy 371 00:20:34,150 --> 00:20:39,060 Michael Thompson: BIMSTEC, which is in South and Southeast Asia. Adam, can 372 00:20:39,060 --> 00:20:40,500 Michael Thompson: you ever have too many acronyms? 373 00:20:40,710 --> 00:20:43,409 Adam Lang: Yeah. I'm, I'm breaking out in a rash as we speak. 374 00:20:43,470 --> 00:20:43,990 Michael Thompson: Excellent. 375 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,930 Sean Aylmer: I don't want to actually take anything you're saying seriously, 376 00:20:49,930 --> 00:20:51,980 Sean Aylmer: Michael, but I'm going to pick you up on something. 377 00:20:52,330 --> 00:20:55,780 Sean Aylmer: Is Australia a top 20 or a middle power? Do you 378 00:20:55,780 --> 00:21:00,330 Sean Aylmer: know what's happened this week? We've become one. Because the Alliance 379 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:04,520 Sean Aylmer: with the UK and the US around nuclear subs is 380 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:08,700 Sean Aylmer: as much strategic as anything else. The Quad grouping with 381 00:21:08,700 --> 00:21:13,470 Sean Aylmer: Japan and India and the US is totally strategic. Scott 382 00:21:13,470 --> 00:21:16,330 Sean Aylmer: Morrison this week came out and said he'd be sharing 383 00:21:16,690 --> 00:21:21,650 Sean Aylmer: millions of vaccines with poorer nations in our region. And as 384 00:21:21,650 --> 00:21:24,840 Sean Aylmer: part of The Quad arrangement, we are responsible for distributing 385 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:29,690 Sean Aylmer: vaccines to the poorer nations. Our economy, isn't a middle 386 00:21:29,690 --> 00:21:32,770 Sean Aylmer: power, right? It's less than middle power outside commodities, to 387 00:21:32,770 --> 00:21:35,030 Sean Aylmer: be honest, but everything else we're pretty much in middle 388 00:21:35,030 --> 00:21:38,960 Sean Aylmer: power. However, strategically, because where we sit in the world, 389 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:43,359 Sean Aylmer: we are a middle power and becoming increasingly important. The 390 00:21:43,359 --> 00:21:46,350 Sean Aylmer: US wants to look at Indo- Pacific region, we're it's 391 00:21:46,350 --> 00:21:48,730 Sean Aylmer: greatest ally in the area. So we are actually in 392 00:21:48,730 --> 00:21:50,760 Sean Aylmer: middle power. Too serious for a Sunday? 393 00:21:51,100 --> 00:21:54,220 Michael Thompson: No, it makes sense. I think now we've put, what 394 00:21:54,220 --> 00:21:56,820 Michael Thompson: I've said was going to be a pretty dull debate, I think we've 395 00:21:56,820 --> 00:22:00,240 Michael Thompson: actually just put that to bed. Permanently. Australia is now 396 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:03,150 Michael Thompson: officially a middle power according to Sean Aylmer. Well done 397 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:15,150 Sean Aylmer: Keeping things interesting. Carbon neutrality. Sometimes I see that. And 398 00:22:15,220 --> 00:22:19,070 Sean Aylmer: you think, oh my God, yet another story about the 399 00:22:19,070 --> 00:22:23,459 Sean Aylmer: road to carbon neutrality by 2050. However, it is a 400 00:22:23,460 --> 00:22:27,869 Sean Aylmer: really important story, and this week a lot happened in that 401 00:22:27,869 --> 00:22:31,660 Sean Aylmer: area. And I think the biggest one was Josh Friedenberg 402 00:22:31,660 --> 00:22:35,990 Sean Aylmer: the Treasurer, and even Barnaby Joyce, the National's leader, who 403 00:22:36,170 --> 00:22:39,580 Sean Aylmer: has a group of supporters who aren't necessarily great friends 404 00:22:39,580 --> 00:22:42,590 Sean Aylmer: of the climate debate. They've both come out and Josh 405 00:22:42,590 --> 00:22:47,619 Sean Aylmer: Friedenberg particularly saying 2050 carbon neutrality. It's necessary for Australia 406 00:22:47,740 --> 00:22:49,650 Sean Aylmer: to achieve that. What do you think Adam? 407 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:54,500 Adam Lang: Well past time, well past due, very glad to hear 408 00:22:54,500 --> 00:22:58,410 Adam Lang: it coming. And I think it just feels like indicative 409 00:22:58,410 --> 00:23:01,070 Adam Lang: of sniffing the political wind and going, there is no 410 00:23:01,070 --> 00:23:04,320 Adam Lang: point in fighting this anymore. We have to deliver it. 411 00:23:04,609 --> 00:23:07,910 Michael Thompson: We don't have an election coming up next year, do 412 00:23:07,910 --> 00:23:10,730 Michael Thompson: we buy any chance? And a climate conference between now 413 00:23:10,730 --> 00:23:11,080 Michael Thompson: and then. 414 00:23:11,580 --> 00:23:13,520 Adam Lang: Remarkable, but we do. 415 00:23:13,730 --> 00:23:17,879 Sean Aylmer: Hmm. Maybe. Well, it was interesting, AGL energy came out 416 00:23:18,150 --> 00:23:21,130 Sean Aylmer: and said that it was closing its Mount Piper power station 417 00:23:21,130 --> 00:23:25,140 Sean Aylmer: in New South Wales earlier in the 28/ 29 financial year. It's 418 00:23:25,540 --> 00:23:29,580 Sean Aylmer: Yallourn power station in Victoria is closing in 2024. The 419 00:23:29,580 --> 00:23:33,470 Sean Aylmer: thing that we do forget sometimes without power stations, we 420 00:23:33,470 --> 00:23:35,550 Sean Aylmer: may not actually be able to turn the lights on. 421 00:23:36,140 --> 00:23:38,429 Sean Aylmer: And so where the rubber hits the road is when you're 422 00:23:38,500 --> 00:23:41,540 Sean Aylmer: having blackouts, of course. So there's still a little bit of way to 423 00:23:41,540 --> 00:23:44,800 Sean Aylmer: go there, but it's yeah, it's a really interesting debate. 424 00:23:45,230 --> 00:23:48,420 Adam Lang: So we've heard the Prime Minister talk about, " We don't 425 00:23:48,420 --> 00:23:50,750 Adam Lang: need to know a target so much as need to 426 00:23:50,750 --> 00:23:53,560 Adam Lang: know how we're going to get there." I think that's a critical thing 427 00:23:53,630 --> 00:23:56,640 Adam Lang: about having a target is you then move into how 428 00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:00,609 Adam Lang: you're going to get there. And I think that's absolutely doable. It's just 429 00:24:00,609 --> 00:24:02,960 Adam Lang: about applying the right minds to it and the right 430 00:24:02,960 --> 00:24:09,090 Adam Lang: dedication. So, along a political timeline, I'm guessing that that 431 00:24:09,090 --> 00:24:12,050 Adam Lang: plan will be made evident during the course of the 432 00:24:12,050 --> 00:24:12,990 Adam Lang: election campaign. 433 00:24:13,869 --> 00:24:16,639 Sean Aylmer: I suppose the contrast to that, and we're seeing this in 434 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,439 Sean Aylmer: the annual general meeting season that's coming up in the 435 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:22,340 Sean Aylmer: next couple of months and the resolutions going out, there's 436 00:24:22,340 --> 00:24:25,180 Sean Aylmer: a lot more talk about climate change, but where the 437 00:24:25,180 --> 00:24:29,770 Sean Aylmer: climate change activists are really making a noise is making 438 00:24:29,770 --> 00:24:33,090 Sean Aylmer: sure that the company they're talking about, might be AGL 439 00:24:33,090 --> 00:24:36,719 Sean Aylmer: energy, might be the Commonwealth bank, not just says they're 440 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:39,040 Sean Aylmer: going to do it, but shows how they're going to 441 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:42,180 Sean Aylmer: do it. And I think that's an interesting twist that's come 442 00:24:42,180 --> 00:24:44,820 Sean Aylmer: in the last, even this year, maybe the last couple 443 00:24:44,820 --> 00:24:47,760 Sean Aylmer: of years. People actually want to know how Australia is 444 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:51,419 Sean Aylmer: going to hit climate neutrality by 2040 or 2050 or 445 00:24:51,420 --> 00:24:53,040 Sean Aylmer: whatever date it is, just like they want to know 446 00:24:53,540 --> 00:24:57,000 Sean Aylmer: how Commonwealth bank or BHP or AGL energy will hit 447 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,619 Sean Aylmer: those targets by a certain date. It's not just about 448 00:25:00,619 --> 00:25:04,090 Sean Aylmer: saying it. It's actually about outlining the road to Damascus. 449 00:25:04,290 --> 00:25:07,130 Adam Lang: Sean, I think that's exactly the point of having the 450 00:25:07,130 --> 00:25:09,550 Adam Lang: goal is then working out how you're going to get there. And 451 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:12,530 Adam Lang: I think we saw something very similar in terms of 452 00:25:12,530 --> 00:25:16,609 Adam Lang: vaccinations. Knowing that we had a target of 70% of 453 00:25:16,609 --> 00:25:19,970 Adam Lang: eligible people getting vaccinations and then 80%, and then more, 454 00:25:20,609 --> 00:25:24,660 Adam Lang: that our lockdown freedoms would be tied to that. I 455 00:25:24,660 --> 00:25:27,900 Adam Lang: think that's a direct input into why many, many people 456 00:25:27,900 --> 00:25:30,340 Adam Lang: are getting vaccinated now. And I think this is the 457 00:25:30,359 --> 00:25:32,800 Adam Lang: same sort of thing that business has been looking for. 458 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:35,939 Adam Lang: The Australian population has been looking for to know what we 459 00:25:35,940 --> 00:25:38,740 Adam Lang: are doing on climate change and how we can help, 460 00:25:38,740 --> 00:25:39,530 Adam Lang: how we can get there. 461 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:41,510 Sean Aylmer: Fair enough. Look, we've nearly made it to the end of 462 00:25:41,510 --> 00:25:45,409 Sean Aylmer: this show Adamsky, and Mickey T has not had a 463 00:25:45,410 --> 00:25:46,129 Sean Aylmer: gripe yet. 464 00:25:46,290 --> 00:25:49,090 Michael Thompson: Well, no, I'm not necessarily going to have a grip, 465 00:25:49,090 --> 00:25:50,840 Sean Aylmer: Are you having a gripe about not having a gripe? 466 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,649 Michael Thompson: I'm not going to have a grip every week. Well actually I am going 467 00:25:53,650 --> 00:25:57,659 Michael Thompson: to have a gripe. What am I saying? This is 468 00:25:57,660 --> 00:26:01,580 Michael Thompson: one that's been bothering me this week. It's a fairly 469 00:26:01,580 --> 00:26:04,220 Michael Thompson: new issue. And it's one that actually came up last 470 00:26:04,220 --> 00:26:05,869 Michael Thompson: week, delivery times. 471 00:26:06,109 --> 00:26:07,340 Adam Lang: Oh, Australia Post? 472 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:08,100 Sean Aylmer: Oh, give them a break. 473 00:26:09,260 --> 00:26:11,700 Michael Thompson: I'm not just talking about Australia Post. I'm talking about 474 00:26:11,700 --> 00:26:15,520 Michael Thompson: a whole range of companies and, actually, even as I'm 475 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:20,500 Michael Thompson: saying this, there is a voice in my head that 476 00:26:20,500 --> 00:26:24,180 Michael Thompson: is saying " Abort, abort. You're going to sound really entitled." 477 00:26:24,350 --> 00:26:26,310 Sean Aylmer: So go on Michael, go on. I'm interested in what you've 478 00:26:26,310 --> 00:26:26,760 Sean Aylmer: got to say. 479 00:26:28,170 --> 00:26:32,570 Michael Thompson: Well, okay. So Star Track drivers, which is an Australia 480 00:26:32,570 --> 00:26:35,520 Michael Thompson: post business, went on strike for 24 hours this week. And 481 00:26:35,650 --> 00:26:39,220 Michael Thompson: that was over job security, and the use of external 482 00:26:39,220 --> 00:26:44,490 Michael Thompson: contractors. FedEx drivers have also voted to strike. My gripe 483 00:26:44,490 --> 00:26:47,430 Michael Thompson: is not actually with either of them because my issue 484 00:26:47,580 --> 00:26:49,710 Michael Thompson: didn't really involve either of them. I just needed to 485 00:26:49,710 --> 00:26:52,420 Michael Thompson: mention it to make it relevant to business. But this 486 00:26:52,420 --> 00:26:56,770 Michael Thompson: week, my order of coffee beans sat in a depo 10 487 00:26:56,770 --> 00:27:00,240 Michael Thompson: kilometers from my house for seven days before they made the 488 00:27:00,250 --> 00:27:05,700 Michael Thompson: last mile delivery. I feel sorry for the retailers that 489 00:27:05,700 --> 00:27:08,680 Michael Thompson: are copping the blame for blowouts in delivery times, but 490 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:12,500 Michael Thompson: mostly most of all, I feel sorry for me being 491 00:27:12,500 --> 00:27:14,500 Michael Thompson: forced into Nescafe Blend 43. 492 00:27:14,890 --> 00:27:18,710 Adam Lang: Now, Michael, did you watch your depleting supply of beans 493 00:27:19,260 --> 00:27:21,520 Adam Lang: with greater anxiety? The lower it got? 494 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:23,551 Michael Thompson: Yes. Yeah, I did. 495 00:27:23,551 --> 00:27:27,430 Sean Aylmer: Sorry, I need to interrupt. Nescafe Blend 43? I mean 496 00:27:27,609 --> 00:27:32,240 Sean Aylmer: buy a Moccona. Like, you're buying coffee beans, obviously you're 497 00:27:32,240 --> 00:27:36,210 Sean Aylmer: somewhat of a coffee snob and you've gone from the top 498 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:38,002 Sean Aylmer: shelf to (crosstalk) . 499 00:27:37,540 --> 00:27:38,004 Adam Lang: International roast. (crosstalk) . 500 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:37,961 Sean Aylmer: That's right. 501 00:27:37,961 --> 00:27:43,420 Adam Lang: Well, okay. To be fair, I had two kilos of car 502 00:27:43,420 --> 00:27:46,540 Adam Lang: coffee beans sitting there in a depot, a couple of 503 00:27:46,540 --> 00:27:48,220 Adam Lang: Km's away. I'm not going to go and buy another 504 00:27:48,220 --> 00:27:51,609 Adam Lang: kilo of beans, that's going to last me like a 505 00:27:51,609 --> 00:27:54,760 Adam Lang: week, when I suspect that it's going to arrive any day, 506 00:27:55,010 --> 00:27:57,190 Sean Aylmer: But if you're buying crap coffee, you may as well buy the best crap 507 00:27:57,190 --> 00:27:58,470 Sean Aylmer: coffee, not the worst crap coffee. 508 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:00,619 Michael Thompson: No, no. This was coffee that I dug out of the back of the 509 00:28:00,619 --> 00:28:05,190 Michael Thompson: cupboard, right? The in case of emergency break glass coffee 510 00:28:05,230 --> 00:28:08,850 Michael Thompson: and this counted as an emergency. So there we go. 511 00:28:08,950 --> 00:28:13,080 Sean Aylmer: So look, I totally disagree. I think the delivery drivers 512 00:28:13,250 --> 00:28:17,440 Sean Aylmer: of the world, and certainly in my region, in my state, around 513 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:20,629 Sean Aylmer: the country, are doing a magnificent job. They have never 514 00:28:20,630 --> 00:28:23,930 Sean Aylmer: been busier. I don't mind if they have 24 hours 515 00:28:23,930 --> 00:28:26,170 Sean Aylmer: off to actually push on conditions and pay. And you know, these guys are coming and knocking on the door 516 00:28:27,650 --> 00:28:33,100 Sean Aylmer: and facing up people, they don't know what they're going 517 00:28:33,100 --> 00:28:36,770 Sean Aylmer: to see in terms of COVID and that. Good on them. And obviously, 518 00:28:37,750 --> 00:28:41,310 Sean Aylmer: Australia Post wasn't it, had hundreds of workers are actually off or 519 00:28:41,310 --> 00:28:46,150 Sean Aylmer: in isolation because of COVID concerns. So love your gripe 520 00:28:46,150 --> 00:28:47,219 Sean Aylmer: Michael, totally disagree. 521 00:28:47,770 --> 00:28:50,910 Michael Thompson: Oh, I'm not going to get into a debate about it, but. 522 00:28:52,950 --> 00:28:53,340 Sean Aylmer: Yes? 523 00:28:54,290 --> 00:28:57,270 Michael Thompson: But most delivery drivers these days are doing contact less 524 00:28:57,270 --> 00:28:59,840 Michael Thompson: delivery. So they're not actually coming into contact with most 525 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:02,620 Michael Thompson: people. And my gripe is not about the delivery drivers 526 00:29:02,620 --> 00:29:06,800 Michael Thompson: themselves. It is about the companies that are perhaps not 527 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:10,480 Michael Thompson: putting on enough drivers or not preparing for what is 528 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:14,550 Michael Thompson: a pretty obvious surge in demand that has now been 529 00:29:14,550 --> 00:29:18,280 Michael Thompson: surging for the last 18 months, two years. We shouldn't 530 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:20,960 Michael Thompson: be in this position of waiting eight to nine to 531 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:22,940 Michael Thompson: 10 days for coffee beans. 532 00:29:23,740 --> 00:29:26,360 Sean Aylmer: And when they park their trucks across the driveways and 533 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:29,340 Sean Aylmer: your riding on the footpath with your kids on a 534 00:29:29,340 --> 00:29:32,130 Sean Aylmer: bike, knocking over pedestrians that their trucks are in the 535 00:29:32,130 --> 00:29:33,190 Sean Aylmer: way. Is that what you're trying to say? 536 00:29:33,190 --> 00:29:37,370 Michael Thompson: Sean, I don't like the direction that we're going here and I'm not a 537 00:29:37,370 --> 00:29:38,000 Michael Thompson: fan of your tone. 538 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:39,620 Sean Aylmer: I think that might be time to wrap this up, 539 00:29:39,620 --> 00:29:43,770 Sean Aylmer: I think. Adamsky, thank you. Are you doing anything on 540 00:29:43,770 --> 00:29:44,490 Sean Aylmer: this fine day? 541 00:29:44,980 --> 00:29:48,470 Adam Lang: Yes, Sean. We are having a permitted gathering as a 542 00:29:48,470 --> 00:29:50,940 Adam Lang: family, so I'm really looking forward to that. 543 00:29:51,510 --> 00:29:52,900 Sean Aylmer: Fantastic. What about you Mickey? 544 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:54,760 Michael Thompson: I'll be drinking my coffee beans. 545 00:29:56,570 --> 00:29:59,100 Sean Aylmer: They're not coffee beans. Oh, have they arrived yet? 546 00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:02,640 Michael Thompson: They have arrived and it, whew, it was quite a 547 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:05,990 Michael Thompson: relief. It was, it was a first world problem resolved. 548 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:06,880 Sean Aylmer: Fantastic. 549 00:30:06,880 --> 00:30:09,560 Adam Lang: Drinking your coffee beans as the bitterness drifts away. 550 00:30:09,710 --> 00:30:12,790 Sean Aylmer: Oh, very nice. Enjoy your days. That's it for this 551 00:30:12,790 --> 00:30:17,130 Sean Aylmer: morning, Sunday, the 26th of September, 2021. Michael, Adam, thanks 552 00:30:17,130 --> 00:30:17,740 Sean Aylmer: for being part of it. 553 00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:18,930 Michael Thompson: Thank you, Sean. 554 00:30:19,010 --> 00:30:19,410 Adam Lang: Thank you, Sean. 555 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:22,180 Sean Aylmer: Michael and I will be tomorrow morning with a regular 556 00:30:22,180 --> 00:30:24,380 Sean Aylmer: edition off fear and greed. Enjoy your Sunday.