Another one bits the dust...

[Electric]

I knew this was coming but seeing all this stuff for sale makes the realisation hit home, another Australian manufacturing business lost overseas. Even more Australian jobs lost overseas.

http://www.evansclarke.com.au/tender...Npage2ECN.html

I am not particularly fond of politicians of any persuasion but it seems to me that over the past 10 years the incumbent coalition govt has sold us short. How many local manufacturing businesses are gone, how many local companies have changed to foreign ownership?

I remember when I was working in the US when the FTA was being negotiated and on the evening news they showed a US congressman making a speech that went along the lines of “This is the most pro-US FTA I have ever seen and we would be stupid not to sign it”.

So we have no local manufacturing base, a few FTA’s and we export only raw resource’s like uranium, iron ore and LPG (for ½ cent per litre).

As for the environment …on the news today I hear that whilst other countries are increasing subsidies to alternative energy’s such as grid connect solar for domestic and commercial users (up to about $25k in California), the Australian govt has announced they intend to scrap the already tiny subsidy scheme we have here at the end of the year (maximum of $4k).

Are we living for today with no concern for the future, are we leaving much of a country for our kids?

Or is it just the political system with 4 year terms does not encourage long term based planning and descision making?

[loxxr6]

Or is it just the political system with 4 year terms does not encourage long term based planning and descision making?

Prob just that. Do your term, try and look good, retire with a government payout.

[4.9 EF Futura]

I'm not inclined to point the finger at governments of the commonwealth (regardless of their political persuasion) or to point the finger at 4 year terms. I think it's more a by-product of the global economy.

Like it or not, companies will buy products from overseas (at the cost of Australian jobs) if its beneficial to their bottom line. This is what is expected by "the market" (market = shareholders = you and I).

This is the result of a pure, unadulterated, laisez faire, global free market economy.

Our problem with limited exportation is not a new one - (bannana republic, anyone?). Our natural resources have been very good to us over the years and continue to be the foundation of what we have to offer the world. But in the modern global economy, if overseas workers are willing to work for 50% of what Australian men and women are willing to work for - we cant compete. Protect the industry all you want but tarrifs cannot undermine this core problem.

That's the key - we are happy to sell coal, oil products, uranium etc for "the going rate" on the global market... but unfortunately in our way of life, our workers cannot feed their families on "the going rate" of labour on the global market.

Nothing, in my opinion, which could be resolves by an australian government or by tinkering with our political system.

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Electric

I knew this was coming but seeing all this stuff for sale makes the realisation hit home, another Australian manufacturing business lost overseas. Even more Australian jobs lost overseas.

http://www.evansclarke.com.au/tender...Npage2ECN.html

I am not particularly fond of politicians of any persuasion but it seems to me that over the past 10 years the incumbent coalition govt has sold us short. How many local manufacturing businesses are gone, how many local companies have changed to foreign ownership?

I remember when I was working in the US when the FTA was being negotiated and on the evening news they showed a US congressman making a speech that went along the lines of “This is the most pro-US FTA I have ever seen and we would be stupid not to sign it”.

So we have no local manufacturing base, a few FTA’s and we export only raw resource’s like uranium, iron ore and LPG (for ½ cent per litre).

As for the environment …on the news today I hear that whilst other countries are increasing subsidies to alternative energy’s such as grid connect solar for domestic and commercial users (up to about $25k in California), the Australian govt has announced they intend to scrap the already tiny subsidy scheme we have here at the end of the year (maximum of $4k).

Are we living for today with no concern for the future, are we leaving much of a country for our kids?

Or is it just the political system with 4 year terms does not encourage long term based planning and descision making?

Blaming the collapse of ION Automotive on the Federal Government takes a fair stretch of the imagination.

[turboute]

Also if the government keeps loosing australian jobs then why do we have a very low rate of unemployment and why are there skills shortages?

[Electric]

Originally Posted by turboute

Also if the government keeps loosing australian jobs then why do we have a very low rate of unemployment and why are there skills shortages?

Because between 10 and 15 years ago govt organisations thought they could save a few bucks by not training new apprentices. Unfortunately about the same time private organisations realised they could save a few bucks the same way.

When I started my traineeship at a large govt authority I was one of about 10 trainees and there were also about 30 apprentices. When I left about 7 years later the total had fallen to about 5 apprentices.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by turboute

Also if the government keeps loosing australian jobs then why do we have a very low rate of unemployment and why are there skills shortages?

Also your employed if you work more than 4 hours a week. There a lots of casuals out there.


I guess you could jump up and down and blame Ford for starting to buy the six speed auto. This must mean the six will become standard on the BFmk2 or the next new model.

[Electric]

Originally Posted by vztrt

I guess you could jump up and down and blame Ford for starting to buy the six speed auto. This must mean the six will become standard on the BFmk2 or the next new model.

I guess you are right. I remember the flogging ford recieved from the press when the EA came out with the old 3 spd auto (intended to be 4 speed as warning lights were on the EA instument cluster) Vs the VN Dunnydores 4spd....all because BW had not finished development of the Australian made 4 speed.

And we had to wait until the EA II.

[Electric]

"Another one bits the dust... "

.....I have only just noticed that I can't type, I hope this topic go's away soon before everybody else realises too.

...but it wont go away if I keep posting in it ....doh. :

[MrSparkle]

Everything is a commodity now, products, people, skills. Thanks to the raft of new trade agreements with China, local manufacturers and an increasing amount of service suppliers simply can't compete any more. I hate to think where things will end up at in, say, 10 years time, if the current trend continues. Maybe we'll have a Chinese government running the country by then too?

[b0son]

Originally Posted by turboute

Also if the government keeps loosing australian jobs then why do we have a very low rate of unemployment and why are there skills shortages?

Best to ask the question of how the govt define employment. There are an awful lot more people seeking full-time work that cant find it than 5%.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Electric

I knew this was coming but seeing all this stuff for sale makes the realisation hit home, another Australian manufacturing business lost overseas. Even more Australian jobs lost overseas.

Add up all the costs of running a modern business in Aus. See how many of those costs dont have to be paid overseas.

Things like meal/shift allowances, superannuation, workcover, OH&S costs, etc. It all adds up. The unions have given employees a bigger slice of the pay WRT pay/conditions. But the pie is finite. A bigger slice means fewer can eat.

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Electric

So we have no local manufacturing base, a few FTA’s and we export only raw resource’s like uranium, iron ore and LPG (for ½ cent per litre).

I wouldn't be so sure.

[Electric]

Originally Posted by xbgs351

I wouldn't be so sure.

Ahh damn lies and statistics..... Taken from the same website
""trade since March quarter 2003 reflects a 14.0% growth in export prices" so in a one year period you can get 14% improvement in exports, simply from currency fluctuations.

Perhaps its worse that I thought.... over the last 14 years the imports to domestic sales ratio has risen by about 50%.