Australian Politics General...

[farmerge]

Also a disenfranchise younger generation of kids, that think they really haven't much hope so are 17 years old finished year 12 and struggling to find something that fits with their age and aspirations.
They are really too old to start an apprenticeship, because the wages are low and they are at an age where girls, cars and going out are becoming high priorities.

Also helping you put up fencing in Gidgee isn't on their want to do list, easier to stay at home and lower the outgoings to chicks and cars.

@sptrawler I did an apprenticeship in printing -compositor and finished up as a Lino-o-type cum TTS operator.
Our starting age back in 1966 as a 1st year apprentice was 17.
Admittedly printers wages were pretty good in their day.

 

[sptrawler]

Off topic, but that is a terrific thing to do SP. Money well spent.

True Ferret, but over the last few years the kids have struggled and not complained but they have all been dejected, it just seemed a better option than giving out money.

Sometimes it is better to give people a ray of hope, rather than subsidies.

The kids saved up to pay for the spending money, we paid for the cruise and airfares home.
,
Now even the older grandkids are talking about how they want to save money, to be able to do it again and we don't get home until Friday.

In a way it is like the Whyalla thing, it gives a light at the end of the tunnel, rather than everyone in Whyalla thinking that next pay day will be their last and the Australian taxpayer thinking that the whole green steel dream is BS.

 

[sptrawler]

@sptrawler I did an apprenticeship in printing -compositor and finished up as a Lino-o-type cum TTS operator.
Our starting age back in 1966 as a 1st year apprentice was 17.
Admittedly printers wages were pretty good in their day.

I started my apprenticeship in 1970 as a scientific instrument maker and repairer and ended up a power station controller, I started at 15 years old on $17.32/wk.
The funny thing was before i started my apprenticeship with WMC, I worked for them as a junior labourer the year before over the xmas school holidays to buy a MX bike, I was on $60/wk.
The thing was back then the first year apprentices at 15 were living at home, so the parents helped subsidies the early years of the apprenticeship, now when kids start at 17-18 their costs are much higher but their wages are low.
Sometimes the old ways were better IMO, unfortunately we don't seem to be able to accept that in todays politics.

 

[farmerge]

True Ferret, but over the last few years the kids have struggled and not complained but they have all been dejected, it just seemed a better option than giving out money.

Sometimes it is better to give people a ray of hope, rather than subsidies.

The kids saved up to pay for the spending money, we paid for the cruise and airfares home.
,
Now even the older grandkids are talking about how they want to save money, to be able to do it again and we don't get home until Friday.

In a way it is like what the Whyalla thing, it gives a light at the end of the tunnel, rather than everyone in Whyalla thinking that next pay day will be their last.

@sptrawler Quad STARS to you sp.
Brilliant.
I hope that they remember this trip as a starting point as a new facet in their life forward.

 

[sptrawler]

@sptrawler Quad STARS to you sp.
Brilliant.
I hope that they remember this trip as a starting point as a new facet in their life forward.

That's our hope too @farmerge , I must admit I was worried when the wife suggested it, 4 adult kids and7 grandkids ranging from 4 years old to 14 years old , I thought it could turn into a disaster.

But it has been terrific and has lifted all their spirits, so great to see them growing with the experience and not seeing the grandkids just sitting playing computer games but actually interacting, walking and experiencing travel.

 

[SirRumpole]

It's a great thing you are doing sp, you all deserve to enjoy your trip.

Back to politics, all the Conservative stuffed shirts are going to cry "Socialism", but in my view if the existence of a business is deemed to be in the national interest and a private company can't make it work, the governments have the right to take it over and run it as a service, ie with profits going back to the taxpayers.

That applies to steel, aluminium, airlines , power stations or whatever. Its the service to the end users that matter, not whether they make massive profits or who owns them.

The Feds should take over Rex as well,continually stuffing money into the pockets of greedy companies is a fool's game.

 

[sptrawler]

It's a great thing you are doing sp, you all deserve to enjoy your trip.

Back to politics, all the Conservative stuffed shirts are going to cry "Socialism", but in my view if the existence of a business is deemed to be in the national interest and a private company can't make it work, the governments have the right to take it over and run it as a service, ie with profits going back to the taxpayers.

That applies to steel, aluminium, airlines , power stations or whatever. Its the service to the end users that matter, not whether they make massive profits or who owns them.

The Feds should take over Rex as well,continually stuffing money into the pockets of greedy companies is a fool's game.

Yes, I haven't read any details just what is on ASF, but I agree with you.
The Government taking over a collapsed business that is as critical, as steel making is makes a huge amount of sense, especially in light of the expectation around the future of green steel.
Taking public ownership of obsolete facilities, that have no value, but have a critical place in the countries capabilities is a responsible move.

 

[farmerge]

Yes, I haven't read any details just what is on ASF, but I agree with you.
The Government taking over a collapsed business that is as critical, as steel making is makes a huge amount of sense, especially in light of the expectation around the future of green steel.
Taking public ownership of obsolete facilities, that have no value, but have a critical place in the countries capabilities is a responsible move.

@sptrawler perhaps just small steps forward and bit by bit Australia starts to stand on its own two feet once again.

 

[Smurf1976]

The SA gov't may have to get back in to the steel making business now that the Whyalla steelworks have gone into administration.

Suffice to say SA isn't mucking about and there are some big plans, the question is how to make them happen.

Note some infrastructure shown, notably the northern water pipeline, does not presently exist. It's construction being a state government proposal, to be government owned, subject to industry buying the water. The roads, gas pipelines, rail, ports etc are existing.

To be clear this isn't a "dig and ship" proposal, the vision is to dig, turn it into steel and sell the steel not the ore.

 

[SirRumpole]

Suffice to say SA isn't mucking about and there are some big plans, the question is how to make them happen.

Malinauskus is one of the most impressive politicians I've seen for years on either side.

There may be bigger things in store for him.

 

[Smurf1976]

Malinauskus is one of the most impressive politicians I've seen for years on either side.

There may be bigger things in store for him.

Fair chance he'll be on the national news again today unless the PM overshadows the coverage.

 

[SirRumpole]

Fair chance he'll be on the national news again today unless the PM overshadows the coverage.

I'm listening to him right now.

 

[sptrawler]

This is the sort of thing that will lift the disenfranchised younger generations spirit, the last 40 years has been a constant slide, to hear some positive news on the value adding side of the economy is long overdue.
Good on S.A for having a go, it might get the other States to be a bit more pro active, rather than seat polishing.

 

[farmerge]

Malinauskus is one of the most impressive politicians I've seen for years on either side.

There may be bigger things in store for him.

@SirRumpole Isn't it great to see someone prepared to be a forward thinker for his State's future.

 

[SirRumpole]

@SirRumpole Isn't it great to see someone prepared to be a forward thinker for his State's future.

Yes, he seems to be a practical person not an ideologist.

 

[wayneL]

Surprised nobody has commented so far on Clive's next sojourn into politics with his Trumpet Patriots Party or whatever it is... In an effort to mirror the policies of the gracious and noble God Emperor

A bit of a laugh really at this point... It's like whack a mole at every election.

I like the idea, but is Clive the leader to deliver that?

Yeah Nah.... but, he's got the moolah to campaign that other freedom parties don't.

It will be interesting if he can make more than a light scratch on the majors this time.

 

[farmerge]

Surprised nobody has commented so far on Clive's next sojourn into politics with his Trumpet Patriots Party or whatever it is... In an effort to mirror the policies of the gracious and noble God Emperor

A bit of a laugh really at this point... It's like whack a mole at every election.

I like the idea, but is Clive the leader to deliver that?

Yeah Nah.... but, he's got the moolah to campaign that other freedom parties don't.

It will be interesting if he can make more than a light scratch on the majors this time.

@wayneL I did mention that the Oaf from Qld was starting up a look-a-like Trumpet Party.
The only winners will be the media getting onto the mega bucks he is going to waste on advertising.

 

[sptrawler]

Fair chance he'll be on the national news again today unless the PM overshadows the coverage.

I'm listening to him right now.

Just read the ABC report, i'm not sure this isn't just another recipe for disaster, just my opinion. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I will post the link and the phrase that worries me, who the hell is going to make sure that it isn't just another asset stripping junket? Why the hell wouldn't the Governments put it under Government ownership, the last bloke only paid $870m for it and the S.A and Feds are talking about pouring in $2.4 Billon, for the new owner WTF.

Hopefully this isn't another brain fart., maybe someone has read more on the issue than I, but it all has an air of the W.A Inc about it.
Hopefully it isn't, but as everyone knows I'm an allow for the worst, hope for the best pessimist.

PM says Whyalla's $2.4 billion package will ensure 'your kids will have a job'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells Whyalla steelworkers a $2.4 billion support package is an investment in a city whose "arteries spread out right around the country".

www.abc.net.au

The support package is split between immediate, short-term and long-term spending plans, and will be jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

The first element includes $100 million for what the federal government described as "on the ground" support in Whyalla, including $50 million for creditor assistance payments and almost $33 million for infrastructure upgrades.

An allocation of $384 million will keep the steelworks and jobs afloat during the period of administration, ensuring "workers and contractors will have ongoing work at the steelworks and will continue to be paid", the government said.

The government said the bulk of the money — $1.9 billion — had been set aside for new infrastructure under a new owner and was "vital to ensuring the steelworks has a sustainable, long-term future".

Earlier today Mr Malinauskas said the amount owed by GFG to creditors was understood to be at least $300 million.

He said the state government contribution to the support package would be largely funded by money made available by the decision — which was anticipated earlier this month and confirmed today — to "defer" a $600 million hydrogen power plant proposed for Whyalla.

"We're deferring the hydrogen plant and then reallocating the resources to the effort that is of course of most immediate need," Mr Malinauskas told ABC Radio Adelaide.

WA Inc - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[SirRumpole]

Just read the ABC report, i'm not sure this isn't just another recipe for disaster, just my opinion. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I will post the link and the phrase that worries me, who the hell is going to make sure that it isn't just another asset stripping junket? Why the hell wouldn't the Governments put it under Government ownership, the last bloke only paid $870m for it and the S.A and Feds are talking about pouring in $2.4 Billon, for the new owner WTF.

Hopefully this isn't another brain fart., maybe someone has read more on the issue than I, but it all has an air of the W.A Inc about it.
Hopefully it isn't, but as everyone knows I'm an allow for the worst, hope for the best pessimist.

PM says Whyalla's $2.4 billion package will ensure 'your kids will have a job'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells Whyalla steelworkers a $2.4 billion support package is an investment in a city whose "arteries spread out right around the country".

www.abc.net.au

The support package is split between immediate, short-term and long-term spending plans, and will be jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

The first element includes $100 million for what the federal government described as "on the ground" support in Whyalla, including $50 million for creditor assistance payments and almost $33 million for infrastructure upgrades.

An allocation of $384 million will keep the steelworks and jobs afloat during the period of administration, ensuring "workers and contractors will have ongoing work at the steelworks and will continue to be paid", the government said.

The government said the bulk of the money — $1.9 billion — had been set aside for new infrastructure under a new owner and was "vital to ensuring the steelworks has a sustainable, long-term future".

Earlier today Mr Malinauskas said the amount owed by GFG to creditors was understood to be at least $300 million.

He said the state government contribution to the support package would be largely funded by money made available by the decision — which was anticipated earlier this month and confirmed today — to "defer" a $600 million hydrogen power plant proposed for Whyalla.

"We're deferring the hydrogen plant and then reallocating the resources to the effort that is of course of most immediate need," Mr Malinauskas told ABC Radio Adelaide.

WA Inc - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

They have to nationalise it in my view. They don't seem to realise that commercial considerations should come second to having materials available to the correct standards for our infrastructure.

They seem to have been suckered by people shouting "sovereign risk" and that State ownership is Socialism. Some Labor party.

 

[farmerge]

On the arvo TV news the WA Labour in an election promo is going to build 2 steel producing centres for the making of power poles and cabling which will then decrease the need to import.
This has to be a plus for the locals with permanent work being made available.