The Albanese government

[sptrawler]

Which part of my post was rewriting history?

My apologies, I obviously misunderstood your post.
One of the major changes that helped, during the Howard years, was the introduction of GST which removed several levels of tax duplication and complication.
Hawke and Keating did rationalise a lot of the economy, by removing tariffs which led to the closing down of local manufacturing and led to cheaper imported goods offsetting the reduction in real wages by the floating of the dollar and the wages accord.
Also the offshoring of manufacturing led to the resources boom, as the first world manufacturing had to be replaced by new manufacturing facilities and equipment being made in the third world countries. That led to the increase in their affluence, which in turn started the building and infrastructure booms in China etc.
Whether the changes of the 1980's and 90's, that led to globalisation, have proven a bonus for the western countries, or a millstone around its neck is open to conjecture.

 

[sptrawler]

Interesting snippet from the jobs and skills minister.

Australia suffering dire skills deficit with occupation shortages doubling in 2022

A new National Skills Commission report has revealed the country is facing a "staggering" skills shortage, with nearly a third of occupations struggling to fill positions.

www.abc.net.au

From the article:
Australia is facing "staggering" skills shortages, according to a new National Skills Commission report, which shows occupation shortages doubled in 2022 as the labour market tightened.
The number of occupations struggling to fill positions has jumped from 153 to 286 over the year, meaning nearly a third of all Australian sectors are confronting serious worker shortfalls.

The Skills Priority List shows registered nurses, software engineers, and care workers are in most demand, with construction managers, childcare workers and motor mechanics also near the top.

Job vacancies have grown more than 40 per cent in the year to August 2022, reaching 309,000 jobs, according to the report.

"I think everything has to be on the table when it comes to supplying the skills and labour we need."
Mr O'Connor also criticised the former government's migration settings, saying they had hamstrung attempts to plug shortages.

His government announced an increase to Australia's permanent migration cap by 35,000 earlier this year.

"We are a very attractive destination but there are other attractive destinations and there are a lot of countries, for example, that do offer you know, do offer some, you know, permanent skilled migration pathways, not just temporary visas."

 

[moXJO]

Interesting snippet from the jobs and skills minister.

Australia suffering dire skills deficit with occupation shortages doubling in 2022

A new National Skills Commission report has revealed the country is facing a "staggering" skills shortage, with nearly a third of occupations struggling to fill positions.

www.abc.net.au

From the article:
Australia is facing "staggering" skills shortages, according to a new National Skills Commission report, which shows occupation shortages doubled in 2022 as the labour market tightened.
The number of occupations struggling to fill positions has jumped from 153 to 286 over the year, meaning nearly a third of all Australian sectors are confronting serious worker shortfalls.

The Skills Priority List shows registered nurses, software engineers, and care workers are in most demand, with construction managers, childcare workers and motor mechanics also near the top.

Job vacancies have grown more than 40 per cent in the year to August 2022, reaching 309,000 jobs, according to the report.

"I think everything has to be on the table when it comes to supplying the skills and labour we need."
Mr O'Connor also criticised the former government's migration settings, saying they had hamstrung attempts to plug shortages.

His government announced an increase to Australia's permanent migration cap by 35,000 earlier this year.

"We are a very attractive destination but there are other attractive destinations and there are a lot of countries, for example, that do offer you know, do offer some, you know, permanent skilled migration pathways, not just temporary visas."

It's education and our clunky teaching methods. It's extremely hard to upskill in this country.

 

[Smurf1976]

Whether the changes of the 1980's and 90's, that led to globalisation, have proven a bonus for the western countries, or a millstone around its neck is open to conjecture.

Using language that was common at the time, the biggest problem with the bean counters is they failed to count all the beans and thus made decisions that don't add up.

Of particular relevance to the present situation is those "inefficient" state-owned railways, utilities, road construction crews and so on were "inefficient" because they spent big $ training apprentices, putting existing staff through higher education, building infrastructure for the future and so on. That didn't come cheap.

When such things were disbanded the main cost saving was simply by bringing training in all forms and investment into future assets to a screeching halt. When you're not investing for the future well no surprise you can do it cheaper.

Now the proverbial chickens are coming home to roost with both rundown infrastructure, especially but not limited to energy, and a lack of skilled workers.

 

[basilio]

Good piece from Katherine Murphy on the Albanese governments progress to date.
Offers an excellent historical perspective on how previous governments have operated when coming to office.

The Battleship Albanese is a paragon of calm but in the water lurks Dutton, looking for cracks in the armour | Katharine Murphy

The government has achieved commendable milestones already thanks to the PM’s reset strategy. If only it could last

www.theguardian.com

 

[SirRumpole]

Good piece from Katherine Murphy on the Albanese governments progress to date.
Offers an excellent historical perspective on how previous governments have operated when coming to office.

The Battleship Albanese is a paragon of calm but in the water lurks Dutton, looking for cracks in the armour | Katharine Murphy

The government has achieved commendable milestones already thanks to the PM’s reset strategy. If only it could last

www.theguardian.com

That was a good piece, highlighting the flim flam coming from the Coalition. "A burp tax", give it a rest.

If the Coalition want to win back the TEAL seats, I wish them luck. History shows that Independents who win Coalition seats usually stay there a long time, eg Peter Andren (he had to die before the Nats got his seat back), Andrew Wilke, Zalie Steggal, Helen Haines, Bob Katter etc.

The Coalition will be pushing it uphill for quite a while imo. Albo will be in for two terms at least, maybe more, unless Labor have a complete brain fade.

 

[wayneL]

That was a good piece, highlighting the flim flam coming from the Coalition. "A burp tax", give it a rest.

If the Coalition want to win back the TEAL seats, I wish them luck. History shows that Independents who win Coalition seats usually stay there a long time, eg Peter Andren (he had to die before the Nats got his seat back), Andrew Wilke, Zalie Steggal, Helen Haines, Bob Katter etc.

The Coalition will be pushing it uphill for quite a while imo. Albo will be in for two terms at least, maybe more, unless Labor have a complete brain fade.

There is a malaise at the heart of conservatism in that conservatives aren't actually conservative anymore. This applies here in Australia, other parts of the anglosphere, but especially so in the UK.

Only in the US is there a glimmer of light.

Our Liberal party and conservatism in general will continue to be non-viable so long as they try to pander to progressives and woke psychopaths.

As evidence of my thesis here, watch Ron Desantis, as opposed to the other clowns and buffoons flailing in flowering around like total tosspots, trying to win votes they will never get, all the while totally alienating their core constituency.

 

[moXJO]

There is a malaise at the heart of conservatism in that conservatives aren't actually conservative anymore. This applies here in Australia, other parts of the anglosphere, but especially so in the UK.

Only in the US is there a glimmer of light.

Our Liberal party and conservatism in general will continue to be non-viable so long as they try to pander to progressives and woke psychopaths.

As evidence of my thesis here, watch Ron Desantis, as opposed to the other clowns and buffoons flailing in flowering around like total tosspots, trying to win votes they will never get, all the while totally alienating their core constituency.

Too many dumb conservatives about is the problem. Or they are so one dimensional they end up useless.

 

[IFocus]

Too many dumb conservatives about is the problem. Or they are so one dimensional they end up useless.

Actually the Australian Labor party are now the old conservatives more than ever, Labor are currently trying to govern for the people, parliamentary precedence and democracy (who would have thought?) not for corporate donors etc.

Conservatives world wide have largely followed the US bat **** crazy ideological path... then there is Trump and Truss in the Angelo sphere who defy explanation.

 

[sptrawler]

That was a good piece, highlighting the flim flam coming from the Coalition. "A burp tax", give it a rest.

If the Coalition want to win back the TEAL seats, I wish them luck. History shows that Independents who win Coalition seats usually stay there a long time, eg Peter Andren (he had to die before the Nats got his seat back), Andrew Wilke, Zalie Steggal, Helen Haines, Bob Katter etc.

The Coalition will be pushing it uphill for quite a while imo. Albo will be in for two terms at least, maybe more, unless Labor have a complete brain fade.

Spot on IMO, Albo will be in until the media tire of him, which IMO is good for Australia as he is the first PM we have had in a long time, that isn't ego driven.
He like McGowan understands that it is important to keep both the workers and the corporates happy, yet not appear to be favouring either and he is doing it well at the moment.

 

[Smurf1976]

He like McGowan understands that it is important to keep both the workers and the corporates happy, yet not appear to be favouring either and he is doing it well at the moment.

Also getting on with resolving long outstanding issues that have been in the "too hard basket" for too long.

Some announcements imminent regarding energy infrastructure funding for example. Doesn't fix everything and can't wave a magic wand and so on but at least some boxes are being ticked.

 

[moXJO]

Actually the Australian Labor party are now the old conservatives more than ever, Labor are currently trying to govern for the people, parliamentary precedence and democracy (who would have thought?) not for corporate donors etc.

Conservatives world wide have largely followed the US bat **** crazy ideological path... then there is Trump and Truss in the Angelo sphere who defy explanation.

So far Labor has been pretty sensible. If the budget has no surprises and they keep the woke screeching to a minimum, then I think albo will stay for a few terms.
They might even diminish both the greens and libs votes at the same time.

 

[PZ99]

Labor look sensible because they haven't been tested yet. I remember people saying the Rudd govt was the sensible "Howard lite" until they had to respond to the GFC and the climate challenge of our time. Most of that Govt is now in this Govt.

One advantage for Albo is we have a progressive senate as opposed to the obstructionist one of a decade ago. Peter Dutton doesn't have the luxury of just saying no to everything like Abbott did.

One disadvantage is this Govt got into power with a 10% lower primary vote than Rudd did. So they have a lot of work to do to win over the 70% that didn't vote for them

 

[wayneL]

So far Labor has been pretty sensible. If the budget has no surprises and they keep the woke screeching to a minimum, then I think albo will stay for a few terms.
They might even diminish both the greens and libs votes at the same time.

The Libs are lost.
The Greens are just freaking insane.
Labor has the potential to be great government, they just have to get rid of:

Ideological socialists
Woke psychopaths
CC zealots
Keynesians and MMT faithful
WEF shills
Cradle to grave apparatchiks.
Lawyers
Ex union organisers.

If they can do that, they won't blow themselves the @#$& up.

 

[SirRumpole]

The Libs are lost.
The Greens are just freaking insane.
Labor has the potential to be great government, they just have to get rid of:

Ideological socialists
Woke psychopaths
CC zealots
Keynesians and MMT faithful
WEF shills
Cradle to grave apparatchiks.
Lawyers
Ex union organisers.

If they can do that, they won't blow themselves the @#$& up.

Maybe they should hire more IPA members ?

But I generally agree with you.

They are starting to look like a Hawke government with a foot in both camps ; ie business and the unions.

If they look after both few people will complain , except the LNP of course and who cares about them. ?

 

[wayneL]

Maybe they should hire more IPA members ?

But I generally agree with you.

They are starting to look like a Hawke government with a foot in both camps ; ie business and the unions.

If they look after both few people will complain , except the LNP of course and who cares about them. ?

Well, even the IPA has the sh*ts with the liberal party at the moment.

 

[moXJO]

Labor look sensible because they haven't been tested yet. I remember people saying the Rudd govt was the sensible "Howard lite" until they had to respond to the GFC and the climate challenge of our time. Most of that Govt is now in this Govt.

One advantage for Albo is we have a progressive senate as opposed to the obstructionist one of a decade ago. Peter Dutton doesn't have the luxury of just saying no to everything like Abbott did.

One disadvantage is this Govt got into power with a 10% lower primary vote than Rudd did. So they have a lot of work to do to win over the 70% that didn't vote for them

Yeah this is true, it's still early days.
A lot of talk about increasing tax in the news. Most likely a softener being pushed by government.

Interesting the covid report that came out that basically said what a lot of people were saying here. Lockdowns were overused and keeping kids out of school was a mistake.

Given how far the States went it was a major worry that Labor in no way listened and shouted down critics. Even nsw state libs caught the disease to a degree. The biggest worry though was the rusted ons demanding harsher lockdowns.

 

[sptrawler]

Yeah this is true, it's still early days.
A lot of talk about increasing tax in the news. Most likely a softener being pushed by government.

Interesting the covid report that came out that basically said what a lot of people were saying here. Lockdowns were overused and keeping kids out of school was a mistake.

Given how far the States went it was a major worry that Labor in no way listened and shouted down critics. Even nsw state libs caught the disease to a degree. The biggest worry though was the rusted ons demanding harsher lockdowns.

Yes now the schools are lining up student free days with public holidays, so that they all become an Easter weekend. Lol
Continuing our drive to mediocrity.

 

[sptrawler]

At last a way out of our skills shortage, skilled backpackers.

A $70,000 salary the ‘Goldilocks threshold’ for skilled migrants: Grattan

Lifting the pay threshold for skilled migrant visas will help prevent exploitation, without putting them out of reach for workers Australia needs, new research has found.

www.smh.com.au

From the article:

More critical workers including teachers and nurses could be attracted to Australia if the temporary skilled migrant income threshold is lifted to $70,000 according to the Grattan Institute, as the government works to overhaul the country’s migration system.

A review of the system led by former Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson is currently under way and expected to hand a report to government by early next year.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said in a speech at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event last week that improving the country’s migration system was vital.

“We need a system that attracts and retains talent – a system that is simple, efficient, and complementary to the skills existing in Australia,” he said.
Loading
As part of the migration review, the Department of Home Affairs last week released a discussion paper on Australia’s migration system. It said the system needs to be overhauled to deal with critical skill shortages, emerging industries and increasing competition for workers from other countries.
“Our current migration system is complex and inflexible, lacks a strategic rationale, and no longer meets our needs,” the report said.
There are currently more than 100 individual visas, and 20 different IT systems used by the department to log and process applications, making the system difficult for both visa applicants and for immigration staff to navigate.

While the number of permanent visas is capped – at 195,000 for this financial year – temporary visas are not. The department estimated there are 1.85 million people in Australia on temporary visas who are eligible to work.

 

[sptrawler]

Bringing the energy crisis to a head is a master stroke by Albo IMO, it puts the blowtorch on the gas producers to supply gas at a reasonable price to the Australian public.
This really has IMO circumvented the ridiculous situation the Eastern States got themselves in, by not having a domestic reservation policy, the next step IMO may be an option for the gas producers.
Either a domestic reservation policy, or an ongoing cap on domestic gas prices after this 12 month cap expires, great move by Albo IMO.