As a matter of interest - what was your previous nic?
I just have a problem with people who criticise the political process and at the same time boast that they don't vote.
Regarding relative labour costs - what would you have the government do to "defend" us against the fact that a chinese machinist will work for $US60 a month - and send 30 of that home to her family in the country? Do you think we can protect ourselves against that by raising tariffs or subsidizing local business to compete?
We can't - and we can't effect the wages paid in other countries. Do you realize that there is no God-given right for everyone in this country to enjoy a certain standard of living? We have to compete in a world market. Don't expect "The Government" to have all the answers and don't simply throw your hands up and say it's all too hard and you're not going to vote for them 'cause "they" are all no good.
We have to do things that we are good at and leave others to do things that they are better at. If that means we can't compete with cheap labour then we had better get used to not having our shirts and shoes made here - they will be more affordable from overseas. We had better decide what we are better at - may I suggest service industries (eg education, medicine, financial), agricultural and mining, tourism, skilled engineering.
Finally - it's not necesarilly the government's job to hold our hand and come up with the solutions - less government is best.
