When As Good As Gold’s Chief Economist, John Adams, posted the following to his FaceBook page. I am sure he did not expect the ensuing outrage.

“A 2 star general within Defence has sent an all of base today inviting employees to wear purple on Aug 30for solidarity with LGBTI communities and to hear from a Transgender ambassador who serves as an adviser to the Victorian Gov on inclusiveness.

This country has gone mad!!!”

– John Adams 2018

His post appeared in my feed. Apparently at some point in time I had accepted a “Friend Request” from him. To say his post triggered me would be an understatement.

Triggering

John Adams’ post not only triggered me, it had an affect on quite a few people as I’m sure anyone could imagine. Although I blocked him straight after my reaction I know, now, that friends were not only watching John Adams’ post but also commenting on the post on his page.

A meme by CGG soon appeared.

John Adams’ post was apparently inundated with comments and angry reactions which obviously prompted him to delete it. I have received many messages from friends about his post, their reactions and the comments they put on his post.

Many of those friends report that they have since been blocked by John Adams.

Creative Comments

There were also some very creative comments to other posts on his page. Some of which remain there today (two weeks later), obviously overlooked by John Adams. Although once John Adams sees this Blog post I imagine he will go in hunt of each and every one of them and delete them.

The Promise

I am sure the reality of the promise by Charles soon struck home with John Adams when a comment appeared on the “As good as Gold” website where John Adams had posted an article. Charles tagged me in his post of a screenshot of the article with the comment in place. A comment that was soon deleted and Charles was blocked from that website. Which I am sure Charles is truly devastated about…

The Moral of the story

So the moral of the story is, John Adams, don’t be a homophobic Dick. Otherwise you might annoy someone enough that they will dedicate their foreseeable future to letting absolutely everyone in your life know exactly what you said.

Postscript

The Kritic approached As Good As Gold’s for a comment about their company’s non-discrimination policy and how they promote the values behind the Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to its employees.

At the time of publication there has been no response from As Good As Gold.

MEDIA RELEASE

25 July 2018

$50 billion super fund to face Federal Court over climate change actions

Mark McVeigh, 23, is taking his superannuation fund REST to the Federal Court of Australia, seeking information about what the trustees know about the impact climate change will have on its investments and what they are doing in response to that knowledge.

The Corporations Act says super fund beneficiaries can ask for any information they need to make an informed decision about the management and financial condition of the fund.

This is the first time a super fund member has taken a fund to court over lack of information about climate change risk.

Mark McVeigh, like all working Australians, must contribute money to superannuation, but he is having trouble finding out exactly what is being done to protect his money.

Mark is 23 and has been contributing to REST, the Retail Employees Superannuation Trust, since 2013. He can’t access his super until 2055.

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says average global temperatures could increase by 2°C by 2050, the level deemed dangerous to life on earth, if emissions continue to rise.

For Australia that would mean more extreme weather, more frequent and intense droughts, worse bushfires and likely destruction of the Great Barrier Reef.

By 2050, natural disasters in Australia are predicted to cost $39 billion each year.

“I would like to know what REST is doing about climate change and whether my money is being managed properly,” Mark McVeigh said.

“As an individual it can be difficult to make a big impact on limiting climate change. REST is a $50 billion fund. It has a lot of power and influence and it should do the right thing.”

David Barnden, Environmental Justice Australia Principal lawyer, said:

“REST has long-term investments in property and infrastructure, as well as in public companies exposed to climate risks. Super trustees must consider climate risks and protect their members from the significant impacts of climate change.

“This is an important test case for Australia’s $2.6 trillion superannuation industry. Super funds own 25% of the total value of all companies listed on the ASX.

“These funds and the individuals that control them are critical to the economy’s fast and orderly transition under the Paris Agreement.”

The Concise Statement in McVeigh v REST is here

Media contact: Josh Meadows, EJA media & communications, 0439 342 992