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What does it take for top bosses to lose their bonuses?

Nov 5, 2025
Henry Belot, a Senior reporter at The Guardian specializing in corporate governance, dives into the ongoing culture of executive bonuses amidst corporate scandals. He reveals how bonuses often prioritize profits over customer welfare, citing examples from ANZ and Bupa where significant bonuses were paid despite serious misconduct. Belot also highlights the overwhelming trend of ASX200 CEOs still receiving bonuses. He discusses the potential for shareholder activism to push for meaningful change in this troubling pay culture.
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INSIGHT

Bonuses Reveal Company Priorities

  • Executive bonuses reveal a company's real priorities more than its 'About Us' rhetoric.
  • Reports show pay focuses on commercial outcomes rather than customer-focused metrics.
ANECDOTE

ANZ Paid Bonuses During Major Probes

  • ANZ admitted systemic failures while paying $26 million in annual bonuses to 11 senior executives over three years.
  • The bank paid bonuses amid investigations into charging dead people fees and misleading customers and the government.
ANECDOTE

Bupa Bonuses Amid Misleading Conduct

  • Bupa admitted misleading conduct that denied thousands necessary hospital treatments and compensated customers.
  • Meanwhile about 20 executives in health insurance received roughly $14 million in bonuses over the same period.
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