Oz Local manufacturing

[Nathan S]

I can't help but wonder if the TPP will make tariffs illegal...

[Lewis]

If you folks are a bit worried about the Oz economy and its ailing manufacturing sector wait till the buyers of our resources decide to look elsewhere(Russia).Oz is on a downward spiral and there is not one politician that will-can pull us out of the shit.I doubt if any of them actually give a damn as to what is happening,I'm of the opinion they're in it for themselves.Seriously, can someone name something that ANY political party has done in the last 10-15 years where you can look and say "yep that was a good call"and the country is actually  benefiting from that decision they made today.I can't, I'm hoping there is a person out there that can enlighten me.We are still the best country to live in but for how much longer?Time to reopen our smelters-shipyards and heavy industries and begin to cut back on imports.Oz did it before and they can do it again(before it's to late)and global warming will continue even if our pollies continue to sit on their hands and sell the country a boat load at a time.

[shortshifter]

The TPP will ultimately benefit the biggest player in the negociations,the US to the detriment of the other signatories.The domestic car market here is just too small and too overcrowded with models so only 1 in 8 cars sold here is made here.The only thing that could have saved GMH,Ford etc was if 1 in 2 cars sold were made here and i've no doubt the companies would still have had their hands out for a subsidy.BUT as someone said yesterday,lets have a bit of consistency why are we questioning subsidies to car makers when the private medical insurers get over 2.5 billion tax dollars a year,we still have a diesel subsidy,huge middle class welfare payouts.As someone said there are too few taxpayers in this country to sustain our living standards at the current rate.The only things keeping us "rich"are our artificially high property values,our minerals,and arable land all of which are slipping through our fingers to overseas interests.Is there an answer?Not while corporations are driven by profit alone and consumers shop on price alone.We need government,industry,academics,economists,unions working out some kind of coherent rather than ad hoc strategy to transition our country for the present and future maybe some kind of Accord like during the Hawke years.

[shortshifter]

I'd like to see it happen Lewis but who would put up the cash to retool and re-equip these industries which have been dormant for years?Who would we sell to?In answer to your other question I think we benefitted from the gun buyback scheme(not sure of the year).

[Mick D]

Lost forever.

In the mid Eighteen hundreds my great great great Frank was interned in Henry Wray(Freemantle prison) after assisting its completion. I have shown my gratitude by owning rear wheel drive Holdens, Valiants and currently a Ford. In-consequential trivia.

My Grandfathers Cousin, Harry, imported the first Chrysler car to Australia. Harry used it to demonstrate and take orders for Six more. Harry established the first Australian Chrysler dealership. In-consequential trivia.

Of major consequence.
Our current government campaigned that it would create additional employment and national security by revitalizing the operating structure for our manufacturing sector. The fan out of employment and skills of our automotive industry is massive. So will be this Catastrophe. Our new treasure goats our largest manufacturing sector, by saying, leave then, go on, I dare you, I dare you, Leave.
Pic is link.

Retrain?? for what, basket weaving, unemployment counselor

Next on the chopping block is ABC, obviously the usual, a half will be taken up by foreign investment.
Maybe the other half to someone with impeccable court room honesty and integrity, maybe some one indiscriminate, maybe some one trustworthy, Rupert Murdoch?

My main concern for the future is the security of our country.
We don't make steel,ships,planes,cars,whitegoods or even push bikes anymore.
Without manufacturing we must import everything.If this happy world we live in ever has a major shift,we are sitting ducks.
Oh thats right we just ring America and were saved.

DAM STRAIGHT!

Our refinery's to be dismantled for srcap(Kurnel). Its OK but, we are an isolated nation with enough storage for imported product of ten days.   

How do you think WW3 will be played out in a world of want, need and greed? A; It already is, and the global foundations of stupidity continue to be layed.
Security, the rest of the world strategists are now laughing at the nation of prostrated Fools.

We are



Screwed

[Mick D]

Screwed by our own submission. Maybe a failing super-power will put our security above theirs?
Or maybe we could prostate our self's to the new one, oh that's right, we are.

And I loath pessimism,,,,,, nearly more than I do stupidity. 

[Mick D]

It took me a long time to relalise that although not a game, life is indeed played out like a game, a game of Chess.
So are wars and the changing sovereignty and security of nations. look no further than any history, Chess.

The looming last move will always be Checkmate. Sorry my grandchildren. 

[Mick D]

I have no faith in the free marketeers trade opinion that economies will always adjust, yes they will, but to what?
What is in the best security interest of a very wealth laden, very isolated nation? ten days of fuel?

I will only take solace in the form of facts and a solid defence, not hollow human guarantees.
 

[matcho mick]

OMG  ,definately off the piss, ,

[Mick D]

OMG  ,definately off the piss, ,

Yes I am off it Mick. Been Training. Bought new bike ridding Armour. I will be down to pick up my XR500 tomorrow, thanks for helping out and storing it for me.

Apologies, if my views and opinions offend. I just believe it is a massive moment in Australia's history and structure. I am sad about Australia loosing our Automotive industry. I don't choose to be complacent about it. I believe the ramifications will be far greater than most perceive. I believe even more jobs will go offshore when the ABC deal is done and its identity lost.

Do you think there is a positive side to these events Mick? Pray tell please, I cannot see any.

I am of the belief that our Auto manufacturing industry and ABC deserve greater consideration. Those considerations that would argue along the lines of critical infrastructure just as I believe the same consideration should extend to that of oil and fuel supply. In times of conflict, assurances of supply are of no more value than that of an empty fuel tank or hollow promise.

If this government presides over such loss? I for one, will never vote for them again.

[Mick D]

Most other countries regard such things as assets for security reasons along the lines of critical infrastructure.
And those that don't have it, or are developing, envy it and aspire to it.
Look at a small country like Sweden as a model. They too have a shoreline and beautiful babes. But they manufacturer their own military defense. Jet fighters, armored tanks, munitions etc, etc, etc. They have built their defense assets on the principles of shared technologies and resources within their own home grown manufacturing sector.

A different point of view or terminology of what constitutes security common sense.

[lyle2212]

35 years ago when I left school anyone who wanted an apprenticeship could get one. Now they are few and far between. Manufacturing is on its arse in this country and will only get progressively worse.
 The majority of people seem to think that only a minority of people are benefiting from the mining boom, which has been with us now for the past 10 years and of which I have been and still am a part of.
    But just wait and see what happens when the Mining boom finally  comes to a grinding halt , and only then will we fully comprehend just how much the economy has been supported, carried, existing on, whatever you want to call it, by the Mining Boom.

[Lewis]

lyle2212---absolutely spot on.If I'm not mistaken the mining sector is already slowing down.People often don't realise how many small players the larger industries support.What happens when the big industries buckle? I once thought I wouldn't be alive to see this great country on its knees but now I think I'll be around to see it.I'm stocking up on projects just in case I can't afford them in the future.

[jimson]

I am a slow learner honestly  I ,ve done a lot of shit jobs in my time to feed my family. So Im already at the bottom in this situation. I feel that Australia has its head up its own ass. If ford and Holden piss off. Then the government can stop them from selling in this country. Then we have a load of skilled workers that need work the government builds a car plant plenty off work and why there at it band any new American fast food shops keep the old ones just to be fair. Eventually some Australian will build a fast food place and in 30 years time we might get some Australian feel back in the place. While I,m at it limit the amount of American tv aswell. We should be ashamed of our selves for letting this happen to our great land. Jimson

[Mike52]

I am a slow learner honestly  I ,ve done a lot of shit jobs in my time to feed my family. So Im already at the bottom in this situation. I feel that Australia has its head up its own ass. If ford and Holden piss off. Then the government can stop them from selling in this country. Then we have a load of skilled workers that need work the government builds a car plant plenty off work and why there at it band any new American fast food shops keep the old ones just to be fair. Eventually some Australian will build a fast food place and in 30 years time we might get some Australian feel back in the place. While I,m at it limit the amount of American tv aswell. We should be ashamed of our selves for letting this happen to our great land. Jimson

So true.

I am also sick of paying for cars that I cannot afford to buy and won't be able to afford for another 15years.