BARVENNON.COM
AUSTRALIAN DIARY
FEBRUARY 2012
WORLD ECONOMY
At "Politics in the Pub"
last week there was an erudite speaker (Satyajit Das) who commented
that the economic crisis in the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy,
Greece, Spain) was not likely to go away, and that since Europe was the
main trading partner with the US and China, then this problem could
bring the world into another "great depression".
He further commented that the signs were already present that the
Australian economy was in for a rough time. This was indicated by
recent reports of workers being laid off by banks, BHP etc, and by other
reports
that
new
investment was falling. He also pointed out that
China and the USA were major Australian trade partners.
Of course our government seems to be actively seeking to sabotage our
economy by seeking to drive many marginal businesses into bankruptcy or
make them uneconomic.
One cannot help but notice that the Unions have captured the regulatory
process. Punishing regulations whose main beneficiaries are union
bosses have been enacted or are mooted in shipping, mining, air
transport, telecommunications (NBN) and building (BER, Batts).
Why is it that there is so little investigation by "Fair Work" of the
Thomson matter? What has happened to the police investigation of
"Undue influence" by government MP's over "Fair Work"?
RUDD
After
attacks by Simple Simon and other
"faceless men" and no support from Prime Minister Julia, Foreign
Minister Kevin made an accusatory
speech and climbed into a plane for Australia,
Julia has announced a leadership spill for Monday 27th February.
My guess is, Kevin has not got a chance. Labour party heavies
would rather that Labour lose power for decades without Kevin,
rather than win with Kevin. It's not the principle, it's personal
power play. Not one of them would have a chance at a cabinet
position.
I suspect Kevin, who is about as devious as they come, might
proposition Tony Abbott. He could offer to switch allegiance,
declare his disillusion with the corrupt Labour movement, support a no
confidence motion, and remain Foreign Minister in the new Abbott
government. With his electoral appeal he could slot in as one of
the five most powerful members of the Liberal party. Unlike most
labour party heavies, Kevin is not a proven liar, and although I do not
agree with his foreign policy ambitions, they are tolerable.
MAIL
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