Hey Norm,
That is what we have left now, true. It doesn't have to be that way, but it is. I like to think things will get better, but it will require a thoroughly angry population to force these changes through, and I think things will have to get worse before they get better.
As an example, I agree with Jack regarding import tariffs. When we had them, it forced foreign companies to open factories here in order to get sales of their products. As soon as those tariffs fell, they were soon fleeing from our shores and sending them to the cheapest place they could go, while sending the stuff back here to sell. Our companies have all done the same, or have been bought out, because successive governments have let them. Not to mention a large part of getting industry going here was as an insurance policy; during ww2, we were caught with our pants down when Japan came south. We had no industry worth the name, so any sort of military vehicle, ship or aircraft manufacture in depth was a pipedream. Chifley was a big advocate of being ready for the next Big One by having working heavy industry that could be retooled if necessary for just such an occasion.
Who has won from that? Fat Cats and shareholders. Ex Politicians too that have been nice fat paypackets as 'advisors' and whatnot after their tenures as politicians were up.
And we shouldn't have to be so reliant on primary exports like some south american dictatorship. Its embarassing.
At the moment though, agreed, future uncertain.
Last edited by Sapper; 18/02/20 01:33 PM.
