Money for Speeches

Did anyone catch John Safran and Father Bob last Sunday night on JJJ? They interviewed crikey.com.au founder and shareholder Stephen Mayne and discussed how various protestors (and others) earn money by giving speeches and lectures at various institutes and conferences. Apparently, socialist hero and regular tubby, Michael Moore makes $40 grand per university lecture, and then buys various luxuries such as Manhattan apartments.

Although not a socialist but a regular hero nonetheless in many Australian eyes, Peter Cosgrove charges $20 k per speech and expects to stay in the best hotel in town (Cosgrove also sits on the board of Virgin Blue). Not a bad effort, I say. Recently, Cosgrove honourably took control of the re-building operation in Northern Queensland after Cyclone Larry came to town. Mayne, just a tad cynically, points out this recent aid work of Cosgrove will make for some great speeches in the future as his old East Timor stories are growing old with the paying masses.

I reckon I should start protesting to make a pretty penny or two. Surely somebody will pay me to ramble on about something or another? Surely?