
Issue No 50		14 April 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

The Locker Room

The Secret History of Match Fixing

By Peter Moss

The Hansie Cronjie match fixing revelations are just the tip of the iceberg

Workers Online has been besieged by reports of sporting, cultural and political events in which Indian bookmakers played a hitherto undisclosed role.

Here are a few samples from our files.

The 1998 NRL Grand Final

Telephone transcripts supplied to this column allegedly record a conversation on the eve of the game between St.George Illawarra and Melbourne Storm. Voice 1 is alleged to be an Indian bookmaker, Voice 2 Dragons star Anthony Mundine.

V1: You are the man, Mr Mundine.

V2: I don't need you to tell me that brother.

V1: You have a bad day, the team has a bad day.

V2: So what?

V1: I hear you're planning to have a bad day this Saturday?

V2: Might do. I can't excited about playing for a club that celebrates British imperialism. And against a team that celebrates Murdoch.

V1: Can I bet on that?

V2: No.

The 1998 NSW election

Faxed through from Macquarie Street was this extract, claimed to record a conversation between an Indian bookmaker and NSW Liberal kingpin Remo Nagarotto in mid-1997.

V1: OK, so it's even money with Collins?

V2: Yeah, that's what our polling says.

V1: And without Collins?

V2: We can't dump Collo. There's no-one else credible enough to put up this close to an election.

V1: What about Chika?

V2: Turn it up. She's still in diapers. Collo might be a bit wet, but people seem to like him.

V1: This could set you up for life my friend.

V2: Yeah right. But I'll be out of a job.

V1: Don't worry. You like the soccer?

V2: Where is this leading Sanjit?

V1: We'll get you on the board of the Northern Spirit club. From there my friend it is happy sailing.

V2: I don't know. Let me sleep on it.

Dogs Head Bay

A source at the ABC supplied the following alleged extract from a mobile phone conversation between an Indian bookmaker and playwright David Williamson.

V1: In our country Mr Williamson, you would live like a god.

V2: Well I am a minor deity in certain circles here.

V1: Yes, but you are underpaid.

V2: Hideously.

V1: And the critics ...

V2: Are foul wannabes.

V1: I understand you are developing a television series for the ABC Mr Williamson.

V2: Uh huh. It's going to be winner too.

V1: Perhaps. But I could offer you untold wealth if this series turns out to be a flop.

V2: No chance. I'm going to report you to the Australian Society of Authors.

The 1998 waterfront dispute

Our Canberra correspondent has unearthed a tape allegedly recording conversations between Federal Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith and an Indian bookmaker. Here is an extract.

V1: I want to place a bet.

V2: You've called the right place Mr ...?

V1: Can I use a code name?

V2: Certainly, what would you like to be called?

V1: Ummm, how about Big Pete? No that's too obvious. Just call me the Enforcer.

V2: As you wish Mr Enforcer. Now, your wager.

V1: OK. What odds will you give me on smashing the Maritime Union of Australia?

V2: I have heard of this MUA. They are a very determined outfit.

V1: Nah, they're a bunch of pansies.

V2: But you are just one man Mr Enforcer.

V1: Au contraire, you jumped up little Shylock. They are but one union. I have the army, the employer, the government and the law.

V2: My odds on you winning this battle are 100 to one.

V1: That's very generous. I'll take it.

V2: I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to lodge your stake upfront.

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 50 contents

Interview: The Gospel According To ...
Green Bans legend Jack Mundey looks back on his days in the BLF and the lessons that can be drawn from that experience today,

Unions: Spinning at the Casino
In the lead-up to this weekend's historic strike, active LHMU members at Sydney�s Star City Casino have been making their own news.

East Timor: Rebuilding From the Nightmare
NSW Attorney General Jeff Shaw travelled to Dili to get a first-hand perspective on the reconstruction work required.

History: Internal Democracy and the BLF
How the rank and file team that took over the BLF in the early sixties attempted to devolve power to the grassroots.

International: Towards Liberation
Zimbabwe trade unions are at the centre of the democratic struggle going on within the African Nation

Republic: The Referendum We Had To Have
Paul Norton finds some hope in last year's resounding defeat of the republic proposition.

Work/Time/Life: @work in the e-century
Marian Baird takes stock of how far we�ve come, or not come, in terms of our working life.

Review: Rocking the Foundations
Pat Fiske's wonderful documentary on the BLF should be compulsory viewing for anyone in the union movement talking about shifting to an Organising Model.

» Sock Nazis Spark Casino Strike

» Grave Fears Over Carr's Funeral Agenda

» Packer, Pratt to Profit at Unions' Expense

» Telstra Discrimination: 'Round one' to the Workers

» Timor Fundraiser a Blast

» Water workers flood CBD head office

» Libs Plead for Help on IR

» Employment National Workers Win CES Conditions

» Teachers Deal Still Undone

» Pressure Builds for Compo Pull-Out

» Pacific Unions Increase Regional Ties

» Ellis to Give May Day Toast

» Special Comp: Just Who Are Our Friends?