Pigs at the Trough: Lessons from Australia's Decade of Corporate Greed

by Adam Schwab

The past decade has seen a period of unparalleled growth in executive remuneration. But while CEO pay exploded, shareholders looked on helplessly as some of Australia's best-known companies self-destructed. When the fall eventually came, executives were well protected. Shareholders and creditors were not so lucky. From Telstra's enriching of Sol Trujillo to the toppling of Eddy Groves's ABC Learning Centres and the untold accounts of the billions lost by the collapsed Babcock & Brown, Allco Finance Group and MFS, Pigs at the Trough tells the story of how a generation of executives, under the supervision of well-known and respected non-executive directors, pushed all the boundaries and sometimes sailed right over them ... and got away with it. A pacey, irreverent read but with a devastatingly serious message, Pigs at the Trough gives investors invaluable insights into how to spot the telltale signs of impending corporate collapse, and how to avoid being another victim.

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2010

Reviews

[PeterBlackCoach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating recent history of what happened during the GFC in our many of our largest Ex-Publicly Listed companies. Some lessons around directors due diligence, auditors role and how banks supported then withdrew support.

PB

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good look at corporate scandal in Australia. Can be a bit repetitive but very informative.