I worked with Russell Howden for a short time in a previous life. Whilst these revelations about him and his companies are very disappointing and, if true, very poor form, I have to say I always found him, to be a very professional, polite and considerate person. He seemed unassuming, not flashy or a show-off and genuinely concerned about others. The sort of behaviour of which he is accused - competitions, scoreboards and such was commonplace in the late 80s and through the 90s into early to mid-2000s in the very best of companies. Where I lose any sort of compassion for his actions is if the allegations of ripping off the aborigines and Torres Straight Islanders are true. That is unforgivable and if he and/or others in his companies are guilty of that in particular then of course penalties need to be applied. Sure, people can change over the years - I truly hope he isn't guilty of these allegations but then these days nothing would surprise me.