Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Paul Howes, Olivia Wirth and the wisdom of Henry Kissinger

Australian political junkies will no doubt be aware that AWU head honcho Paul Howes and Qantas corporate affairs spokeswoman Olivia Wirth are an item. This is a notable development, not least because it raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Then there's the sheer incongruity of the union (er, the one between them, that is). Now, I don't wanna sound sexist or misogynist here, but as well as being highly capable Ms Wirth also happens to be one undeniably foxy babe. Howes, on the other hand, could never be described as tall, dark and handsome.

You've gotta ask, what's his secret?

The explanation that comes first to mind is that famous line from Henry Kissinger: "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac."

Yep, it's obviously pretty potent stuff. Not only does it overcome those natural forces that often bring men and women together; it also traverses ideological divides. At first blush union heavies and corporate movers and shakers seem like very strange bedfellows, after all. 

1 comment:

  1. Matt what makes you think that either of these two approach their jobs from an ideological point of view? If the thought of left and right wing ideologies that one may assign to their respective positions is dispensed with the relationship becomes easier to understand. Howes is the hypocrite who made the big statement about withdrawing the AWU support for the government if one job was lost and Ms Wirth I suspect is as power hungry as Howes. QANTAS and its management are no different to any other big greedy corporate entity that goes to bed with the union movement and, as a frequent user of the airline, I have watched with disappointment as the management have gutted a strategic asset. The recent strike served both the TWU and QANTAS management well. It did sweet bugger all for the Engineers and the people who use the airline.

    ReplyDelete