Richard Pratt

Richard "Dick" Pratt is the CEO of Visy Corp, and Australia's third richest person. He is a significant donor to a number of conservative causes, including to the Centre for Independent Studies, the Liberal Party, and previously, to the Tasman Institute.

He was the largest individual donor to the Liberal party in 2003. Pratt Holdings donated $200,000.00 to the Liberal party in the 2003/2004 financial year. . In 2004/5, Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd., controlled by Richard Pratt, gave more than A$232,000 to the ruling Liberal and National parties.

Pratt was an early client of prominent PR man Mike Smith when Pratt was under investigation by the National Crime Authority in 1994: "After Pratt had effectively stone-walled the media, Smith encouraged Pratt to open up and tell his story. (One) of Smith's friends at The Age, David Wilson, was given access and ran a story about the complex life of Pratt, which effectively allowed him to answer his NCA critics. Pratt was never charged by the NCA and Wilson now works with Smith at Shandwick. (Andrew Dodd, "The makeover merchant" The Australian, December 9 1999)

In December 2005 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commenced prosecution against Pratt for alleged involvement in a cartel in the packaging industry. In October 2007, Pratt admited for the first time that he and his company, Visy, broke the law in the nation's biggest cartel case. (also see Amcor)

"Through the Pratt Foundation established in 1978, the Pratt family is among Australia’s most generous business families, giving directly and indirectly over $10 million each year to charity and other causes. This philanthropy supports medical research, social and cultural development encompassing aboriginal health, social welfare, arts, education, and the environment. In 1996, the Pratt Foundation established the Visy Cares Centre, a provider of services to underprivileged youth.

"Richard Pratt’s support for the University through the Pratt Foundation includes generous gifts to the Union Theatre redevelopment project, establishment of the Pratt Family Chair in the Melbourne Business School, the Pratt Foundation Scholarship to the highest ranked Melbourne Research Scholarship applicant, donations to the Centre for Palliative Care Education, the Ian Potter gallery, the Department of Fine Arts, and the Richard Pratt Oration in the Centre for Jewish History and Culture."


 * Director, Australian Davos Connection

Related Sourcewatch

 * Weber Shandwick Australia