Coles and Woollies have just signed up to a voluntary code of conduct, which is supposed to improve their relationship with suppliers.

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/legal/34598-coles-and-woolworths-sign-on-to-voluntary-code-of-conduct-what-suppliers-get-out-of-it.html

This is good… …or is it, if it is voluntary?

This voluntary aspect seems to be entirely self-defeating. Surely it needs to be binding.

As a public servant, my code of conduct I was binding. It was stated to be our law book. We had no choice but to adhere to it.

Although as it turned out, it was entirely voluntary for my superiors, who ignored it at will and with absolute impunity… which caused me great consternation.

So… is a voluntary code of conduct going to work for Coles, Woolworths and their long-suffering suppliers?

Or is it just words on paper, with a completely different thing applying in the real world, as it was in my case?

Code of conduct is one of the most meaningless rules we have because it doesn't apply to anyone in authority & that's where it would count the most.
Code of conduct in Woolies & Coles ? Let's not be so frivolous please.

A voluntary code of conduct is just that, voluntary, and when its not followed, it was just voluntary anyway. I think authorities like the ACCC love those voluntary codes as the are a good cop out for when they can't enforce a code. Like getting the 'Shock Jocks' or big retailers, etc to follow a voluntary code.
About as useless as a voluntary code of conduct for illegal drug dealers!

Oh you of little faith.

Of course it will work. The Accountancy industries and their representative (numerous and confusing bodies) have had them virtually "for ever".

Do you see masses of accountants hauled up before the disciplinary committees and with due deliberation and the blindness of time subsequently fined and sanctioned.

No you say?

So there is the proof that self regulated voluntary codes of conduct by industry interests work.

I did get that right didn't I?

diko/quote..<<..I did get that right didn't I?>>

sorry old mate..i cant judge..
a voluntary code of conduct..means its up to you..what you volunteer

its your chosen conduct guide..all that matters
is was it voluntary..or a forced statement

its like when..STAKEHOLDER;;like..big rich bankers miners business greenies etc..have..their say..but to tax smokers well..ignore their 4 billion..dollar tax take

we dont got no stake
stake is like mates rates
[only mates got the right..to momentary conduct]

unless you got a tax-free family..or cooperate trust fund..
your never..allowed..voluntary..nuthin..

only.. codified/mandated/statuted..
by laws..or orders of policed conduct.

Report from Iron Mountain unveils a hitherto top-secret report of a government commission that was requested to explore the consequences of lasting peace on American society.

http://educate-yourself.org/nwo/reportironmountain1.shtml

The shocking results of the study, as revealed in this report, led the government to conceal the existence of the commission--they had found that, among other things, peace may never be possible;

*that even if it were, it would probably be un-desirable, that "defending the national interest" is not the real purpose of war;
*that war is necessary;
that war deaths should be planned and budgeted.

REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN tells the story of how the project was formed, how it operated, What happened to it.

It includes the complete verbatim text
of the commission's hitherto classified report.

so willit be disinfo
or coded..info ..who..i knows only you could decide
being talked of here/now

http://www.republicbroadcasting.org/shoutcast/shoutcast.html

It is better than nothing.
A move in the right direction.
But if it was a code not just a voluntary one we would see big changes.
We may see some bought to heal by the fear of bad publicity.

>>We may see some bought to heal by the fear of bad publicity.<<

That is the only value of a voluntary code of conduct: the bad PR that could come from flaunting it. Coles will have way more people scrutinising Woolworth's compliance than their own and vice-versa. The minute one of them violates the code it will be all over TT and ACA, and the mob that didn't break the code will be buying smeg-loads of advertising in that timeslot.

Coles and Woolies don't care about their conduct; only the public perception of their conduct.

Cheers,

Tony

we could do away with codes of conduct if we introduced National Service. After all, it's all about mentality. Good upbringing equals good mentality = no need for codes of conduct.

This ‘voluntary’ code of conduct is probably one of the more binding ones around.

The ACCC will be watching very closely and will be highly inclined to push for stronger action if either of the big players don’t adhere to it...

...unlike many 'binding' codes of conduct which are close to meaningless.

What on earth..is a voluntary code/of conduct
not so sure..it..is an earthy issue..its one of mindset

here is the mind-set..
of the spirit..its..never mind.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=6040#176569

voluntary..a practical..example

Military Waste and Fraud Are the Main Cause of Our Problems
http://intellihub.com/2013/11/19/8-5-trillion-in-taxpayer-money-doled-out-by-congress-to-the-pentagon-since-1996-has-never-been-accounted-for/

“$8.5 TRILLION In Taxpayer Money Doled Out By Congress
To The Pentagon Since 1996 … Has NEVER Been Accounted For”

front-running..makes its own..rules too

http://12160.info/photo/the-picture-worth-6-trillion-bond-bubble?context=user
\
who audits the census?
http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/census-faked-2012-election-jobs-report/

govt..does deals..its intheir dna
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/11/18/students-suffer-sticker-shock-from-obamacare/

dont forget self regulating..employees
http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/walmart-intimidation-firings-an-illegal-attack-on-workers-nlrb/

treasury..self regulates..
http://12160.info/main/mobilepage/desktopMode?target=%2Fxn%2Fdetail%2F2649739%3ATopic%3A1361390

yeah..coppers too
http://intellihub.com/2013/11/18/philadelphia-police-deny-brutally-beating-14-year-old-boy/

but here is the star..of flaunting rules[even gods]
http://12160.info/page/naftali-bennett-the-star-of-the-israeli-right-threatens-us-implie

My understanding is that it is a 'voluntary' code because they entered into it voluntarily. I haven't seen the details - are there consequences for abuses, at least in principle? This site suggests that it might be a good thing, and that (in the long run) it might be a binding, compulsory agreement: http://www.smartcompany.com.au/legal/34598-coles-and-woolworths-sign-on-to-voluntary-code-of-conduct-what-suppliers-get-out-of-it.html#

The sense that it's 'better than nothing' is an interesting one. It's either good - i.e. it achieves something - or it's worse than nothing, because it provides the illusion that some assurances have been made when, in actuality, none have.

Oops. Sorry. I just posted the same link as you. I'm not sure where my brain has gone. I'll let you know if I find it.

It's widow dressing, lot of noise, 'If you want a copy, please call these phone numbers, or visit our websites"
All designed to placate in reality its doing nothing. The ACCC need to push this and be given some 'teeth' into the bargain.

Bring on Costco and watch the big two get tetchy overnight!