General Discussion Topics, page-382

Whilst it is true that Ontario and Quebec are falling back into an ever increasing second wave of escalating CVOID cases , deaths , and expanding lockdowns , there is a certain economic argument and learning from all this . And that is that as is the case in Western Australia , there are certain benefits that can be obtained in similar demographics like Ontario and Quebec by structuring , developing , and leveraging off geographically defined economic Hubs.

I'm referring of course to the ' Remote ' areas which Mining , Mining Processing , and other developing and more advanced vertically integrated and supporting Scientific manufacturing can offer as a comparative advantage in maintaining constant and higher levels of National Economic activity during a crisis like COVID.

So if we look forward to the future and respect the notion that this won't be the first or last serious life threatening pandemic that the world faces , we would best be advised to develop our economies , projects , and communities around this concept of geographically self- sustaining Hubs which potentially employ many hundreds if not thousands of people who can keep working in isolation regardless of what's happening around them.

Of course this theory works hand in hand with the one which suggests we enhance our sovereign independence in localizing our supply chains and diversifying and leveraging our strengths with the aim of reducing our current and historical reliance on China.

And what is or moreover what will be the ' True ' logistical cost of doing business some 700 - 1000 klm's away from a main capital or port in a lower cost electrification transport economy.

You only have to look at what Australia intends to gain from the benefits of the inland rail project as an example. Or how about the additional or second ' High Efficiency ' PORT project which had been proposed and is now coming back as a real Victorian economic priority , and where this Project located down the back of Hastings at Western Port in Victoria is proposing to significantly increases to the ' uplift capacity ' of bulk freight direct into the heart of Melbourne and thereby also reducing the additional intermodal transport congestion currently created by Trucks throughout the City.

So even in a Global ' Super City ' like Melbourne , the much improved infrastructure HUB could allow for Freight and Product to keep coming while other areas and regions or access may be reduced.

So just to reiterate my point - Quebec would be best advised and served as a continuing economic power if they emphasis the critical nature and benefits of regional scale, capacity , efficiency and employment in the development of these ' Mega ' styled economic HUB's which trades to their comparative and competitive advantages of vast areas of ' Remote ' regional core supply geographies. And workers and additional peoples could even be encouraged to go to these areas through significant modifications to the current income and other tax regimes.

And Australia should be planning and doing this as well.....instead of say how they killed off the Engineering and Technology industries supporting the Car Manufacturing Hub in Geelong. Compare this to what Ford and GM are doing in Ontario by invigorating the industry and re-invoking the massive refit in their Oakville and Windsor manufacturing plants. You simply can't do this , if you don't have them there in the first place.

So you need to see the 20 - 30 year bigger picture instead of the 3 to 4 year plans we have become accustomed to via our innate and lack bipartisan political system. Some issues and projects should be irrevocable , irreversible , and non negotiable whichever Party ends up holding power.