affordable housing for all australians swan, page-21

"In most trades, it takes many years of schooling and practice just to be competent. Unlike the purchasing shares in the stockmarket, not everyone can be a tradesmen so I would not complain about the money they make."

Not that it was my comment, but while I'm all for them earning great incomes, they need the humility to admit they're probably being paid over the odds in the current market.

Just like every industry, the big money goes to those willing to do jobs others aren't interested in or that have a shortage of supply. It's all through the IT industry as well (the most boring roles often pay the best). It's not about skill and competence in my industry, and I dare say this applies to the building industry as well. They work hard, but so do many other occupations that don't enjoy such generous incomes. I wouldn't put share traders under that category though, as you duly noted :).