True they are only in it for the money...nothing wrong with that but lets not pretend mining companies care about Australia. The minerals they are selling belong to the nation and this and every nation should demand maximum return from mining while it lasts. Because mining does not last, the resource becomes exhausted and the miners move on although in Australia it seems we have enough minerals including coal to keep mining going strong for at least another century.
It then becomes a question of whether we really need to be too concerned about our reliance on mining at this point in time. I don't really know, but it does seem a shame that this nation has lost so much of it's manufacturing sector and stands to lose the rest if things keep going as they are. Some say manufacturing needs to be competitive but how can we be when the mining boom keeps the A$ so high and makes imports so cheap. Also why would a tradesperson work in manufacturing for say $50,000 pa when mining jobs pay them $150,000 pa ? Aussie manufacturers are in a hopeless position IMO.
