27 December 2011

Government and Developers ever closer intertwined. John Hindmarsh to chair the Cultural Facilities Corporation.

| johnboy
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john hindmarsh

Joy Burch has announced into the silly season that the Executive Chairman of the Hindmarsh Group (“A leader in construction, development and property, Hindmarsh draws upon this expertise to deliver specialist services in retirement, parking operations and capital management.” According to their website), John Hindmarsh, is giving of himself to chair the Cultural Facilities Corporation:

The Cultural Facilities Corporation manages Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Museum and Gallery, the Nolan Collection Gallery @ CMAG, Lanyon, Calthorpes’ House and Mugga Mugga.

“John Hindmarsh is one of Canberra’s foremost figures who has played a hugely important role in the development of this city and been a strong supporter of the arts over many years,” MsBurch said.

“His expertise in a range of areas will provide the Cultural Facilities Corporation with a leader who has a passion for the arts and a range of ideas on how it can continue to serve the Canberra region.”

Mr Hindmarsh is executive chairman of Hindmarsh which is involved in project and construction management, property development, car parking and venture capital.

Among the buildings the company has constructed is The Playhouse of the Canberra Theatre Centre.

Mr Hindmarsh, whose appointment will commence on 1 January 2012, is also a member of the Council of the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Chairman of the Foundation Board of the NGA and a long-term supporter of Bell Shakespeare Company.

Between this and Bob Winnell’s involvement with the arboretum it’s good to know major developers are so tightly integrated into the life of the Territory.

[Photo courtesy Hindmarsh Group website.]

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Who said “If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas”? That should be written in metre-high red letters at the entry to the Legislative Assembly, where every politician will see it every time they walk into the chamber.

54-11 said :

But surely there are poeple in Canberra with sound business knowledge who do not represent such clear and direct conflicts of interest?

Why is it only developers who are seen as being worthy of these roles?

There are definitely other people with the necessary business acumen, but don’t be fooled into thinking these people are any less ruthless or influential than developers.

Have our politicians been so close to developers for so long that they can no longer see how vital it is to keep these people at a very long arm’s length? The alternative explanations are much worse.

2604 said :

At least Hindmarsh will bring some business acumen to the role.

The alternative is the type of people usually chosen by Labor to conduct reviews, chair boards, and sit on councils – union cronies with no experience other than grandstanding against employers and “the rich”, and who need a cushy taxpayer-funded job because they have no hope of holding down an actual job.

But surely there are poeple in Canberra with sound business knowledge who do not represent such clear and direct conflicts of interest?

Why is it only developers who are seen as being worthy of these roles?

No, there is something else at play here. Not direct patronage, but one smells the presence of rattus rattus here.

At least Hindmarsh will bring some business acumen to the role.

The alternative is the type of people usually chosen by Labor to conduct reviews, chair boards, and sit on councils – union cronies with no experience other than grandstanding against employers and “the rich”, and who need a cushy taxpayer-funded job because they have no hope of holding down an actual job.

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