Rod for their own back
Oz comic was paid for trade union protest
Australian comedian Rod Quantock has walked into controversy after it was revealed that he was paid to take part in a trade union demonstration.
The veteran left-wing comic, and vocal supporter of workers’ causes, received AU$500 (£200) to take part in the protest by office cleaners in Melbourne.
Quantock led around 100 wokers’ to the headquarters of property company Allco – which the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union union says treats its cleaning staff badly.
The comic presented the building's manager with a giant golden toilet brush to highlight the cleaners’ case.
However, industry chiefs said paying Quantock to take part meant the protest lacked credibility.
‘Paying performers to attend union rallies is hardly going to convince the public that the unions have got a just cause," a spokesman told the local Herald Sun newspaper. ‘It's a stunt."
But Mr Quantock said he had not asked for payment. ‘They offered,’ he said. ‘I'm not such a wealthy man that I can turn down this sort of thing."
And union state secretary Brian Daley said Quantock would have donated his time freely, but was a professional performer and should not have to go without a living.
Published: 20 Jun 2006
