Fremantle Markets - john and jamie Murdoch

So much has been said about the outrageous rent increases at Freo Markets and the arrogant and senseless actions of the Murdoch management. I was stunned to hear Mr Murdoch state that many stallholders were happy to accept the rent increases. Am I now stating the obvious when I correct them by pointing out that those who have agreed to accept the increases will only survive if they can index the rent increase into their sales?

The bottom line is that stall holders have paid tens of thousands of dollars for their stalls, and for most, it is their only source of income. The current situation makes it near impossible to sell their stalls, so they are either forced into walking away with nothing or paying the higher rents and hoping they can survive. Happy? I don’t think.

Many stall holders have already left, but others will need to move out, or will be moved on, to make room for the new cheese, olive oil, butcher, seafood, coffee shops and cooking demo's. What a joke! That simply turns a Freo icon and tourist destination into another Woolworths or Coles. Perhaps if the Murdoch’s left their ivory towers for a day they might notice that Freo already has a few coffee shops and seafood outlets.

Some stall holders have had their space reduced, some will be moved into unsuitable locations and others will be evicted. The only hope for any justice is through the stall holders association and now we find that Richard Murphy and other members have been evicted. Do we sack union members in this country?

Thankfully, the Fremantle Council is finally listening and swinging into action. With the support of the Fremantle Herald, the stall-holders association, the rate payers and market customers at least we can expose greed and bullying tactics where they exist.

http://sonyagreen.blogspot.com/