In 1988 the then business editor of the leading Melbourne daily paper, The Age, invited actuary Nick Renton to contribute an article on current superannuation tax issues. He enjoyed the challenge involved in that and has been writing serious pieces for the media ever since. Although not trained in journalism and never having had a regular column anywhere he chalked up his 500th published article some 12 years later. His outlets have ranged from six metropolitan dailies and numerous periodicals in Australia to an overseas inflight magazine. His subjects have been wide ranging and have included share and property investments, taxation, accounting standards, corporate governance, human relations, family trusts, computers and the English language. He has often been acclaimed for his many educational pieces dealing with technical subjects in readily understandable language - a much appreciated community service. However, the favourite writing of this author of some 34 books is in the realm of ideas, promoting neglected causes such as calendar reform. He also likes to put on the record highly original analyses of contemporary economic or political issues, trying to restore balance to an otherwise inadequate public debate. |