The signing of a Financial Heads of Agreement between the National Broadband Network and Telstra represents a step on the path to the creation of a communications network with potentially significant benefits for all Australians. This step is due to an improvement in the relationship between the NBN and Telstra after negotiations between them had broken down at the submission stage of the process to build the network. Effective consultation and negotiation between companies and with government, as evidenced in this recent agreement, can deliver benefits for all parties involved.

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The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has attracted huge coverage in the US and the rest of the world. BP has been the subject of intense criticism from many people including President Obama and as a consequence of their failure to protect the people who live in the gulf is facing a $US20 billion compensation bill.

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Corporate codes of conduct are part of most company structures. While one purpose is to help contribute to improving the ethical culture of the organisation, they also need to provide help with dealing with problems. The recent ‘mutual termination’ of David Jones CEO, Mr Mark McInnes, provides an example of a company willing to support ethical conduct as outlined in it’s own Code of Ethics and Conduct.

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The Reserve Bank of Australia has been embroiled in allegations of bribery and corruption via its bank-note printing affiliate Securency. In increasingly globalised markets, dealing internationally has even greater ethical challenges because there are very large discrepancies not only between participants in the market but also between different umpires enforcing the rules.
John Sweeney & Daniel Hill

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