We either keep going the way we are and let successful parts of our economy keep on thriving, or we put up protection and bring in tariffs etc. to encourage and protect our manufacturing sector.
I think we have no choice but to let the manufacturing go broke, unless they are competitive with the world market they cannot survive.
But the job losses will continue, the mining boom will (hopefully) continue and there will be new jobs created in the booming sectors for those that want them.
A mining tax just puts a bandaid on structural problems in our economy - not enough flexibility in employment arrangements, too muc red tape and too many obligations on employers.
Not saying it's right or wrong but in the globalised economy it is a continual race to the bottom to try and produce things as cheaply as possible to cut out your competitor.
Maybe we should all go back to the horse and cart days.
