@daicosisgod; thanks for the feedback about your uncle, it's easy to forget just how much older generations did.
Re that part of your comment which included "... Compo and training for alternative jobs in remote communities is a laugh. ...".
What do you think happened when the Kennett Government closed down all those regional rail lines, small primary schools and concentrated government services back to Melbourne?
Well after two decades of Labor in office take another look - road systems upgraded, sprinter trains, solar and wind farms, regional universities, Wonthaggi Desal Plant, TAFEs resurrected and Wodonga's TTC, regional performing arts centres, rail trails, ecotourism ... Sleep hollows like Bright and Yarrawonga have been transformed into tourist Meccas.
All of that is based on people re-training / re-skilling and government support for new community building initiatives. Those who stick in their heads in the sand and cry poor are of course at risk of being left behind, but that's a choice and not a decree.
