Callum Foote
Callum has a honours degree in political science from the University of Sydney which examined the influence key players in Australia’s financial services industry exert over government. He is a sub-editor for P&I.
Callum's recent articles
16 September 2021
'Everybody did it': wealthy doctors' lobbies ride JobKeeper gravy train
JobKeeper for dentists? Fair enough. But more public subsidies for doctors lobby groups? Callum Foote reports on Australias medical colleges refusing to pay back millions in JobKeeper payments.
4 April 2021
How the big end of town turned Jobkeeper into profit keeper
The most rampant era of welfare rorting in Australias history drew to a close when the Jobkeeper subsidy came to an end. Luke StaceyandMichael West investigated how the big grifters turned Jobkeeper into profit keeper.
8 March 2021
BossKeeper: ports giant Qube bullies its way into JobKeeper and plush bonuses
Shipping group Qube Holdings will give back $17m in JobKeeper subsidies but pockets $13.5m and some fancy executive bonuses despite its revenue rising strongly. How did it pull this off? Callum Foote investigates how the Liberal Party-linked Qube gamed the Tax Office.
21 December 2020
2020: a year in review for Pearls and Irritations
Despite the turmoil of 2020, Pearls and Irritations almost tripled in size. Perhaps 2020 was a year where independent comment and analysis was needed and appreciated more than most.
18 October 2020
Tamed Estate: Poor Gladys
Last week in the Tamed Estate, ICAC's inquiry into former politician Daryl Maguire whose revelations about NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian completely overshadowed Kevin Rudds spectacular petition to set up a royal commission into the Murdoch press. Also, international propaganda efforts by the UK and US are being swept under the rug.
10 October 2020
Tamed Estate: Budget Week
This week has been dominated by the budget. And that means the traditional pre-budget leaks dutifully reported by the media. These were followed by post-budget revelations that the budget announcement was full of already announced measures.
5 October 2020
China diplomat urges end to confrontation (AFR Oct 5, 2020)
One of Chinas top diplomats has called for an end to confrontation and abusive language in increasingly hostile exchanges between Australia and China, saying the relationship can be salvaged through better communication by both countries. She blamed the Australian media for creating an unfriendly atmosphere and stirring up anti-China rhetoric.
3 October 2020
Tamed Estate: Albanese follows Morrison's lead
This week we see that Albanese is following in Morrisons footsteps, with Morrison following the same path as usual. Meanwhile, Frydenberg is refining his dark arts, with Thursday nights drops receiving no critical coverage. We also have a brief look at abortive biased coverage on behalf of the Courier Mail.
24 September 2020
Tamed Estate: Low Emissions, Insolvency Reforms, Responsible Lending and NBN Privatisation
Following on from the opener to the Tamed Estate released in both Michael West Media and Pearls and Irritations, we will be conducting a rolling watch for media failures and manipulations.
3 April 2020
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