Dear Friends,
As you may know, I was first elected to the Board of the NRMA in 1990, and re-elected at every election thereafter, including the 2005 Board election where I received the highest number of votes of all candidates.
For almost 2 decades, I have championed the mutual cause, stood up to wrongdoing and opposed corporate excesses.
The2008 NRMA Board election has now begun. The Motorists Action Group urges you to vote for:
David Barr
Perry (Northern Sydney)
Lis Bastian
Hoddle (South Coast)
David Bentham
Cox (Western Sydney)
Leo De Kroo
Townsend (Western NSW)
Maurene Horder
Mann (Canberra)
Ann Lewis
Coghlan (North Coast)
John Mills
Keele (Hunter)
Ernie Page
Simms (Inner Sydney)
Lorraine Talbot
Howe (North West Sydney)
As you may know, even though I received the highest number of votes at the last Board election, I was targeted for removal from the Board in 2006. This was followed by a resolution in 2007 to ban me from standing for the Board again until 2014. I am the only one of the NRMA's 2 million members to have been singled out for this treatment. My wife, Lorraine, is therefore standing in my stead.
Our candidates will continue to fight for MAG's policies to:
• Ban members' funds being donated to any political parties
• Reduce your annual membership fee by rebating profits
• Restore free membership for 50 year members & free NRMA Plus to 25 year members
• Oppose compulsory “S” Plates for senior drivers
• Investigate establishing NRMA petrol stations to save fuel costs for members and end the weekly price cycle
• Ban directors overseas trips, excessive executive salaries, & multiple directors' fees for subsidiary companies
• Investigate establishing a new mutual insurer to rebate profits to policyholders & subsidise your road service
• Reverse the 60% increase in directors fees
• Restore NRMA's own vehicle inspection service & increase road patrolmen numbers
• Restore members' right to elect all 9 directors
A number of recent scandals have been reported in the press recently. Chief amongst these are the donations to political parties, and the use of company funds to promote the incumbent Board. I invite you to read the following articles:
- http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/09/13/1220857899063.html http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/08/09/1218139162873.html
I encourage you to write to ASIC and your local MP about these matters. ASIC's details are:
Mr Tony D'Aloisio
Chairman
Australian Securities & Investments Commission
GPO Box 9827
Melbourne VIC 3001
The NRMA is now divided into 9 voting regions, with over 200,000 members in each. Previously, only about 10% of members have bothered to vote, which makes your vote very important.
I urge you, your family and your friends to take a stand and voice your support for the candidates MAG has endorsed.
Please also make out your proxy to Richard Talbot for the 2008 AGM.
Click HERE for instructions on how to fill out your proxy.
Yours mutually
Richard Talbot