According to this Sydney Morning Herald article, taxpayer-owned businesses Australia Post and NBN have collectively paid out almost $300 million in personal bonuses to employees at the same time that the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on businesses and families. Student A argues that the purpose of executive remuneration is to align the executives' interests with those of shareholders and that these bonus payouts are excessive. Student B argues that the directors of Australia Post and NBN believe the purpose of executive pay is to hold onto talent in a global market and that bonuses will motivate them to work in a way that also benefits the principals.