I’ve said this a few times but I can only see one way out of this.
Time to reset the agenda and get on with managing Australia. I agree with your post above
@Scarpa and would add the following:
1) It is time for those Australian parties to front up and be counted, now is the time to earn the will of the people.
2) Liaise with the big miners to coordinate future contracts in Iron Ore and Coal (Metallurgical) and inwardly invest.
3) Set up internal steel making process on the East and West Coast. Put in place the railroad across the country to transport coal and iron ore to their respective steel making facilities on both coasts.
4) Put in place program of development around the new multi-modal railway and connect up tourism coast to coast (North) integrate with freight (coal / iron ore / commodities / consumer freight)
5) Invest in the new High Speed rail from Sydney to Melbourne and plan for expansion to Brisbane and connection to the Northern multi-modal system.
6) Stricter FIRB conditions, limit Foreign influence in Australia. Investment yes, buying critical infrastructure and agricultural output - no.
7) Set up liveable areas (townships) where still making is developed, put in lifestyle/essential services and link with tourism and other services)
8) Coordinate new technology and invest across the board, link in where possible with resource profile and integrate.
9) Continue to develop Sydney / Melbourne and develop economic areas based around key resource in SA (uranium)
10) New outlook on defence - go nuclear, de-risk interference from the big neighbour up North.
11) Begin to develop and carefully manage the water. With new schemes where possible across the whole tropical North. Itemise areas for outputs according to what can be achieved agriculturally or for tourism or other coastal development. Work in planning for education, technology and utility supply and services.
12) Do the above as a coordinated national plan based on state/federal interaction and planning. Short, medium and long term plans to be drawn up.
13) No more rorting immigration, critical resource only and stricter penalties for companies who flout the rules.
14) A more stringent tax policy for companies. Time to pay the fiat rate. If they don’t pay, take the assets off them and give to someone who will pay.
15) Gas and Oil processing internally. Time for us to do our own thing.
16) Short term raise in some (Fair) taxes - 15% GST which is a fair ‘what you spend’ tax with review in the longer term. Full review of taxes at all levels both personal and company.
It goes on but the above gives the drift. Time to start over.
Do all the above by beginning with borrowing more. It is the only way. Effort and hard work will be the only way we will work through this. That will also reduce debt in the long term which is where we have to start looking.
Time to work for Australia politicians. All of you.