Good morning Saltpetre,

Yes, there is much research still to do. This discussion has prompted me to pursue more. Eg. your observations earlier re relative interest rates.

Things are certainly crook in Tullarook. It's the worst economic period since the great depression. But not as crook Downunder as everywhere else.

Hello Imajulianutter,

No, I don't think Labor propaganda in Australia has been pushing these points. I still access Aussie media extensively. Seems the direction of the propaganda – meaning information intended to persuade which is actually untrue – is overwhelmingly anti-Government rather than pro.

I believe Australia has more of problem with rogue news media than the US or the UK. But that's a discussion for another time.

No, Im, it is not "the cripples of Europe and the US trying to tell us what's best for us". It is the opposite. The whole world – not just Europe and the US – has observed Australia’s emergence from the GFC with the least social disruption of all. And they want to know why.

Hello Hasbeen,

You don’t need to be so pessimistic about Australia’s trade. As 579 notes, there is no sign of demand from China stopping. And other buyers are emerging as neighbouring countries develop. As well as minerals and petroleum products Australia still has strong exports in beef, lamb, sugar, dairy products, fruit, wines, wheat, other cereals, processed metals, wool, medicines, passenger vehicles and others. Some are expanding, some are declining. But the total is impressive - and growing.

Australia is not being praised by Europeans, Hasbeen. By everyone. So cheer up. Yes, things are grim. But not as grim as everywhere else. And nowhere near as grim as would have been the case had you had your previous Government running the economy through these challenging times.

The carbon tax is also a discussion for another time. But here in Europe most countries have one, some for more than 20 years. Australia is really playing catch-up footy here. From the experience here in Europe it seems most of the doomsday predictions in Oz are unwarranted.

Cheers, AA

Yes Alan, as was said of the stupidity of signing onto a dying Kyoto protocol, trust Oz to be climbing onto the sinking ship, as everyone else is getting off.

This applies as well to so called renewable energy, & carbon tax/trading. The last on before the collapse, with probably the most to loose.

Mate your list of other exports have been in place for decades, with dreadful balance of trade results.

Add to that the lack of serious employment in any of them.

Today I was reading a Gary Morgan report detailing 2.1 million unemployed & underemployed in Oz today. That is a record by the way. Add to that constant announcements of factories closing or reducing staff, & the pretty picture you are trying to paint sags a little.

I'd love a pair of your glasses, even just to make things look better for a little while. Unfortunately, much more of Swan & Julia, & we will all need them.

Of course, if you listen to the ABC, you'll get Julia's propaganda, at least until the stuff hits the fan, & the smell can't be ignored.

Hello again Hasbeen,

Why this extraordinary pessimism about your Government? Do you read Murdoch publications perhaps? If so, you have no-one to blame but yourself.

Your country is generating world-beating results on just about every performance chart there is – absolutely unprecedented success – and you talk as though you are being mismanaged.

For example, you mention exports.

Exports from 2010 to 2011 were up in nearly every category. Minerals rose 25.3%, fuels up 10.7% and primary products up 18.5%. Total exports rose 10.3%. Imports only rose 9.4%. So a positive trade balance.

You also raise balance of trade. Have you looked at the actual figures, Hasbeen?

Consider the last 21 months - since April 2010. For 20 out of those 21 months Australia's balance of trade was positive. In your favour! You exported more than you imported. You made money. You increased your net national wealth. 20 out of 21 is an excellent outcome. You should be overjoyed. Ecstatic!

Okay, it could have been better. You stuffed up last February with a small trade deficit. It could have been 21 months out of 21.

So how does this compare with the previous Government? How many months of trade surplus were there in the last 21 months of the Howard/Costello Government?

21? 20? You would think so the way Australia’s media laud the Conservative political parties as brilliant economic managers.

Was it only 19? If so, that would make them less competent than the current Government at keeping the trade balance in surplus.

Actually, the answer is zero.

None. Not any. Zilch. Nought. Null set. The big O. Complete and total fail.

So, yet again, Hasbeen, the actual data shows your present Government to be pretty much on the ball in all areas that affect your wellbeing. By no means perfect – because all nations are experiencing the worst global downturn since the 1930s – but certainly way better than your lazy, lacklustre, no-talent previous regime.

So cheer up, Hasbeen. Things could be worse. And if there is a change of government next year, things almost certainly will be.

Has-been Look on the bright side, we could have had Abbott as leader, and things might have been like other parts of the world. We have never been better off than we are now. We have a govt; that believes in both sides of politics, and not just neo- liberal. Which was always dangerous times. A progressive leader, with strength, and ambition for Australia as a nation.

Alan,

if our balance of trade is so good why has our debt risen by nearly 200 billion in 4 years?

Alan everyone here knows Howard and Costello left Australia in good shape. Then Rudd came along with his 'pop' politics, spin and the dishonest Union Work Choices campaign.

Since we've all come to understand the dishonesty of labor It's in their DNA.

The Murdoch Press in Australia is pretty well balanced. Like Fox. Is that why you think it favours the Liberals? Every other media outlet in Australia has positive Labor bias. Lately a couple of billionaires have started to buy or announced their intention to buy Fairfax ... so as to raise the standards of Journalism in Aus. That'll set you lefties off calling for independence of the media won't it?

Could it be possible that your perception of anti-government propaganda is wrong. That in fact what you are reading is merely the truth of how our government is behaving? How do you explain even the ABC carrying stories of the PM's department's involvement in instigating the Australia Day riots and stories about the complete breakdown of our border control? Are they too examples of anti-government bias?

Why is it Alan you never acknowledge the good of the Liberals, past and present, and keep on repeatedly preaching Labor propaganda at us? Propaganda which the ABC, Fairfax, parts of the Murdoch press and nearly all the electronic media keep bombarding us and is quite contrary to what you claim. Since I experience that bombardment all the time and you see it only occassionally I think my perception far more likely true than yours. Tell me which TV news do you watch? Do you watch The Drum, QandA, The Project, The Bolt Report, The Insiders, or Meet The Press and do you read Crikey, New Matilda or On Line Opinion?

At this point I have to say you are starting to chant the same hoary old opinions as those chanted by the stressed and haggard looking Bruce Hawke on The Bolt Report yesterday. You are becoming just as laughable.

imajulianutter,

"The Murdoch Press in Australia is pretty well balanced. Like Fox..."

Gawd!...Fox News is nothing more than cheering squad for the Republican Party masquerading as a news outlet. The mere fact that they plug the label "Fair and Balanced" is a fair indication that they're not.

At least we know where you're coming from, imajulianutter.